NPR: Clinton Quietly Works to Scoops Up Mich. Delegates

Clinton Quietly Works to Scoops Up Mich. Delegates

The Detroit News had a great piece on how Sen. Hillary Clinton has quietly worked to put herself in a position to get as many as 70 percent of the delegates from Michigan if they're allowed to attend the Democratic convention.

Susan J. Demas, a political analyst for Michigan Information & Research Service, writes in an opinion piece that Clinton was "rewarded this past weekend with a significant victory at the district conventions." If Clinton does win the nomination, Demas writes, it could be her work in Michigan that was the key factor.

Buoyed by party elder support, Clinton seems likely to capture more than 60 percent of the state's 128 pledged delegates, according to an analysis by the Michigan Information & Research Service. Including the 28 superdelegates, which lean heavily in the New York senator's favor, she could win upward of 70 percent of delegates, provided that they're seated with full voting power.
That depends on the Democratic National Committee, which punished Michigan for leapfrogging the primary schedule. There is no deal yet to seat the delegation. But the Clinton camp is working overtime to ensure the elected slate is sent. Keep in mind that Clinton won 55 percent to uncommitted's 40 percent since Obama wasn't on the ballot. He has pushed for a 50-50 percent delegate split, but that proposal hasn't gained traction.

Demas says Obama should have gone for a revote, because he would have done well in the state.

1:30 PM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink

Comments

Sometimes I feel that the only possible solution to politics and economics is global nuclear holocaust. We're a sad insane little primate, and we're going to commit suicide, collectively.

Sent by Jody Sol | 3:43 PM ET | 04-24-2008

It will be a travesty of an already crippled system if these delegates are allowed to be seated. How can Clinton think that is ethical, when Obama wasn't even on the ballot? She didn't even do that well for someone essentially running unopposed.

Sent by Cat | 3:51 PM ET | 04-24-2008

The Michigan Democratic party leaders should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves by now.

Sent by glenn | 3:53 PM ET | 04-24-2008

This is how I think she will frame it:

It's unfortunate that the party ruled that MI and FL can't be counted, I would like them to but thems the rules.

On another note, the superdelegate system is a rule that has been around in the party for a long time and no one should complain about it if it is used. We're all adults and we should know the rules from the start.

Them's the rules.

Sent by deek | 3:55 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Keep up the good fight Hillary...those Michigan and Florida voters need you!

Sent by ard | 3:56 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Keep up the good fight Hillary...those Michigan and Florida voters need you!

Sent by ard | 3:56 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Michigan and Florida should be split and that includes their superdelegates. They need to be treated as a special case.

Sent by Ty | 4:00 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Sour Grapes.

Sent by Mi 13 | 4:36 PM ET | 04-24-2008

she has a whole bag of dirty nasty tricks. i keep on thinking that voters will see this but apparantly the media and the american people are'nt calling her on them.

Sent by jen | 4:50 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Cheating is cheating. If Hilary Clinton gets any of the delegates in either of the two disputed states because she did not abide by the rules like Obama and others, then she's cheating. I don't want another cheater in the White House.

Sent by lesaa | 5:29 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Clinton has no ethics. But who needs the ballot when you've got the bullet?

Sent by Sweetie | 5:33 PM ET | 04-24-2008

There's a simple word for what she's doing in Michigan. It's called cheating. There was an agreement and rules in place and she's the one breaking them.

Sent by Rusty Bienvenue | 5:40 PM ET | 04-24-2008

I am astonished at how accepting some of the American people are of the dishonesty of the Clintons. They are willing to lie and cheat to get the power they crave. This contest has forced Americans to self examine on many issues. I hope the need for integrity in our president becomes more of an issue.

Sent by Joe Smith | 6:37 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Shame on you Clintons!!!! Now we know who you are.

Sent by bob | 6:47 PM ET | 04-24-2008

I am with you, Joe (Smith). I just can't understand what's happening to people in our country! It's totally irrational. How can this pair of dishonest spouses do what they do without a sense of shame? It's said that nations elect the leaders they deserve. Is America this bad to even consider another Clinton worthy, in any sense, of the Presidency of this country? That will be a sad day!

Sent by Leonel A. Urdaneta, MD | 7:04 PM ET | 04-24-2008

She's been lying about how much debt her campaign has as well. C'mon!

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/04/clinton_debt_la.html

Sent by Sweetie | 11:04 PM ET | 04-24-2008

"Demas says Obama should have gone for a revote, because he would have done well in the state."

Did you REALLY want to include that sentence? It seems to confirm to us that the shenanigans pushed by Michigan are unrepresentative and irrelevant to the current discourse.

There are rules and regulations - as well as punishment - that the rest of the civilized society live by. Is Michigan some kind of banana republic for which we have to make special allowances?

But cheer up! Unless they pull some other stupid trick (which I cannot put past them) they will vote in the general election for whoever they like.

"Bold Deceit and Bizarre Logic" / Hillary '08, WRONG for America

Sent by chokora | 3:34 AM ET | 04-28-2008

The Michigan Democratic Party, recognizing the rules are stacked against them, together with the Michigan Republican Party, in a rare piece of bipartisanship in a year (decade?) long devoid of bipartisanship accomplishments, opted to make their own rules, and abided by them. Michigan has long been an ignored state between the two major national Parties, and we as a people through our democratically elected representatives, sought to remedy that situation. All legal, all ethical, all done in the open, with forewarning and public disclosure and scrutiny. So, those of you who decry the outcome, recognize it is the two major National Parties at fault for this outcome, and it has rsulted in many isgnificant changes in the process already, with more to come. The delgate counting methods, the viability of the electoral college, the culpability of the candidates themselves (all but one of who chose to not avail themselves of the Michigan primary, thus forfeiting the outcome) and the Two Party system itself is being held to closer scrutiny. These are good things, as changes need to be made peridically, and sometimes it takes rebellion from within to accomplish that.

Sent by Tom Crawford | 11:14 AM ET | 04-29-2008

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