Saturday, May 31, 2008
Democratic National Committee Members Decision Regarding Florida and Michigan Delegates
A compromise has been reached by the Democratic Party on how to seat the delegates of Michigan and Florida.
If you will remember, the delegates votes were stripped away as punishment to the two states for moving their primaries forward in opposition of committee rules.
Alice Huffman, in today's meeting, declared that as a party the Democrats "Must compromise, the world is not perfect."
Harold Ickes felt that any compromise was not a fair reflection of the vote of the people. He said that he was appalled that a committee of 30 was substituting their judgement over the voter's choice. The system is flawed, but the voice of the people are the most important part of any election.
For both Florida and Michigan the committee voted to approve motion to seat full delegations from both states with each delegate having one half vote. Members denied the motion to seat full delegations with full votes.
Hillary Clinton still reserves the right to appeal this decision, and take it to the credentials committee.
Seems to me that in an attempt to reach unity, the Democratic Party is suffering from fragmentation. However, I do recognize that the party, in light of what has happened, felt it an obligation to vote the way it did. Had they have voted to deny the states any delegates, the states may have voted against the Democratic Party in November out of protest. Had they have awarded full delegation votes, the committee would have been sending the message that rules can be broken without any repercussions.
Ironically, the party members debated about democracy, and giving the people a voice in the election process. I find that ironic because this is the same party that has super delegates, which are old hands in politics which are there to vote in the right candidate should the people get it wrong.
Maybe the DNC should stand for Double-Standards National Committee.
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