NPR: Clinton Goes To Michigan to Push for Primary

Clinton Goes To Michigan to Push for Primary

Sen. Hillary Clinton is in Michigan, ostensibly to speak at a "Solutions for America" event in Detroit this morning. But her main goal is to push Michigan legislators to OK a do-over primary for the Democratic party in the state.

The Detroit Free Press says the trip -- a valuable day away from campaigning in Pennsylvania -- is "to try to salvage a Michigan Democratic primary do-over that earlier Tuesday was all but pronounced dead in the Legislature"

"Clinton supporters, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said the visit to a union hall in Detroit is aimed at whipping up support for the New York senator's push for legislation to allow an early June primary. If a bill is not passed by Thursday, when the Legislature begins a two-week break, the primary is dead. ... Pressure on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's campaign also came late Tuesday from state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer, who issued a statement saying objections raised against legislation that would establish the primary were unfounded."

But the Obama campaign has just sent out an e-mail from Robert Bauer, the campaign's general counsel, where he argues that there are several issues not resolved in the proposal that could subject "the party and its candidates to potential liability."

"Whether the state can achieve its goals here depends on the nature and seriousness of the legal and administrative questions presented by this initiative -- questions that, raised after the election, could put at risk the running of the election, undermine acceptance of the results if the election is held, and in both cases effectively deny Michigan voters, a second consecutive time, meaningful participation in the nominating process."
-------
Update: The Clinton campaign responded to the Obama campaign's e-mail, saying that "The bottom line is that Michigan has all the problems and promise that we talk about in this country. Competing in Michigan sends a signal that Democrats care and understand the people there deserve the chance to make their voices heard and need someone in the White House who will hear their voices. If Barack Obama doesn???t want to help make that happen, Hillary Clinton is ready to do so. We call on the Obama campaign to let the people of Michigan vote."

9:41 AM ET | 03-19-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Now, the strategic part of you Liberal Utopian's great plans that I don't understand is this:

You make a big deal out of that Barack guy winning the South Carolina primary, when you just know that South Carolina goes GOP in November.

Then you pitch a hissy about Florida's primary, when you know Florida is going GOP in November.

Can you Liberal Utopians ever see why you never win?

No, I guess not.

That's what makes you Liberal Utopians with your heads in the clouds.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 9:46 AM ET | 03-19-2008

So, in changing the rules in mid-process, is Sen. Clinton in favor of a complete do-over where all citizens have equal opportunity to vote for her or Sen. Obama? Or is she committed to a partial do-over that gives her an unfair advantage?

Sent by Gary | 10:03 AM ET | 03-19-2008

It continues to astound me that a party that completely bungles it's own primary is asking us to trust them with running our healthcare.

Sent by deek | 10:03 AM ET | 03-19-2008

The irony of any re-do at this point is that those states that violated the party rule are being knowingly rewarded. They will be made deciding states in this election not just influential early voting states. The delegates should be seated in a way that won't change the outcome of votes of all other states.

Sent by IG | 10:24 AM ET | 03-19-2008

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.