NPR: Poll shows Dems Split Over How to Fix MI and FL

Poll shows Dems Split Over How to Fix MI and FL

Rank and file Democrats favor a compromise of some kind over Michigan and Florida, but what kind of compromise it should be is another thing.

In a Gallup poll of 528 Democrats or those leaning Democratic, 55 percent "favor a compromise that would allow the two states' delegates to participate, rather than excluding those states' delegates entirely (23%), which is the current plan. Twenty-one percent do not have an opinion either way."

The Gallup poll offered those surveyed four choices: refuse to allow these delegates to participate, a compromise that would honor the results of the January primaries, compromise to hold a new primary or caucus in the two states, or a compromise with an unspecified outcome. Not surprisingly, a majority of Obama supporters favor not seating the delegates at all, while a majority of Clinton delegates favor a compromise that allows the seating of the January delegates. Obama supporters are also more in favor of the do-over idea, but by a small margin.

NPR's Peter Overby reported on Morning Edition about efforts by two Democratic governors to find the money to hold the do-overs. Meanwhile, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow and Florida Senator Bill Nelson will meet today with a group of donors who might also be interested in helping to support new primaries or caucuses.

But if a do-over is held, it's not likely to be a mail-in vote in Florida. The Washington Post's The Trail blog reports that Tuesday night "Florida's entire House Democratic caucus -- including both supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama -- issued a joint statement that aimed to shoot down a proposal to redo the Florida Democratic primary through a mail-in vote."

10:26 AM ET | 03-12-2008 | permalink

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