NPR: Last Second Glitch May Undermine Michigan Primary

Last Second Glitch May Undermine Michigan Primary

It looked like Michigan was all set to go with a do-over on its primary. Recent polls have shown it would be a close battle between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. But now a technicality in the proposed legislation -- that would make a do-over legal -- is holding up the process.

Under the legislation, anyone who voted in the GOP primary would not be eligible to vote in the Democratic primary. But 32 percent of those who voted in the Republican primary were Democrats or Independents. And as Marc Ambinder of theAtlantic.com suggests, many of these voters were most likely Obama supporters who, since they couldn't vote for him, voted for one of the Republican candidates, most likely John McCain.

"This could be a dealbreaker for the Obama campaign in Michigan," writes Ambinder. "Michigan Democrats have said that they won't move the bill forward unless the Obama campaign gives its assent."

The Obama campaign is currently reviewing the legislation.

Meanwhile the Clinton campaign, perhaps sensing the opportunity was slipping away, sent out an e-mail this afternoon. Clinton strategist Harold Ickes basically demanded that the Obama campaign support a new vote in Michigan, saying "If the Obama campaign thwarts a fair election process for the people of Michigan, it will jeopardize the Democratic nominee's ability to carry the state in the general election."

The Associated Press reports that the Democrat-led House is scheduled to leave for a two-week vacation Thursday, so that means if anything is going to happen it will have to happen very fast. The measure also would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled state Senate. It would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, and then the approval of Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Clinton supporter.

The contest must be held by June 10 for the results to count under Demcratic National Committee rules.

8:22 PM ET | 03-17-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Oh, my goodness. Such shock and awe on St. Patties' Day.

Michiganders don't like to be called stupid any more than do Floridians.

My, my.

Howard Dean's scrambling about to save his rear end is falling on deaf ears.

So, DNC....Go ahead and just give Florida and Michigan to John McCain, well before November.

Then see if Democratic voters can think of a way to ask John Dean....whoops...Freudian slip there....Let's see if Democratic voters can think of a way to applaud Howard Dean's marvelous work as chairman of the DNC.

HHHHHHEEEEEEEYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

fred camorra call

PS...and for my Russian friends, Happy St. Fevronia Day!!

Sent by fred camorra call | 9:26 PM ET | 03-17-2008

Simply amazing. This is one of the reasons I moved out of Michigan. The state is in a state of disaray. Gov. Granholm should step up and do the right thing by drafting and supporting legislation that would allow all registared democrats to revote. Or, better yet, throw out the entire primary election and revote everyone. It will not make a difference to Sen. McCain. Any solution other than a total revote by both parties will benefit one candidate over the other. Wake up Michigan and do the right thing for your residents for a change.

Sent by David Molnar | 1:40 AM ET | 03-18-2008

Presumably EVEN Gov. Granholm can divide by TWO. MIchigan can't be that lacking in education, can it? Give each candidate 1/2 the delegates and move on.

Sent by w.sturge | 8:11 AM ET | 03-18-2008

32% who voted for a republican is huge! Ickes' comment made without acknowledge this complication is nothing but blackmail. Neither FL or MI should have a significant effect on the outcome. Either split half and half or assign delegates in proportion to the final tally of each candidate.

Sent by IG | 9:25 AM ET | 03-18-2008

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