Do-over presidential primary in Michigan looking unlikely

Tools

By Tiffany Griffin

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats began looking at other ways to get delegates seated at the Democratic National Convention now that the chances of holding a June 3 do-over election are essentially dead.

The state Senate adjourned Thursday afternoon without taking up legislation that would have set up the primary. The Republican-led Senate will be in session next week, but it needed to act Thursday because the Democratic-controlled House begins a two-week spring break next week.

Hillary Rodham Clinton had supported holding a second primary as a way to get Michigan delegates seated at her party's national convention. But Barack Obama's campaign raised concerns over holding another vote.

On Thursday, the Obama campaign repeated a suggestion made earlier by top Obama supporters in Michigan to split the state's 128 pledged delegates 50-50 between the two candidates while letting the 28 superdelegates support either candidate. The Clinton campaign was saying a mail-in election might work.

Neither campaign liked the other's proposal.

Michigan and Florida were stripped of their Democratic National Convention delegates for violating national party rules by moving their primaries ahead of Feb. 5.

A group of four leading Democrats from Michigan — U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger, Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick — have been working to find a way to get the delegates seated.

But they've been unable to get the warring campaigns to agree on a solution. Florida Democrats have decided to ask the DNC's Credentials Committee this summer to allow their delegates to be seated, an option that's open to Michigan. But some Michigan Democrats still favor finding a way to resolve the issue by holding a second contest of some type.

"The worst scenario would be a floor fight at the convention, particularly one where Michigan Democrats have no say," said Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek. "It looks like it's time to start looking at different alternatives to seat our delegates and to unify Democrats so we can focus on John McCain and the November election."

Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Clinton supporter who wanted to hold the do-over primary, said it remains essential that Michigan voters have a say in helping decide the party's nominee.

"I am deeply disappointed that it (a do-over primary) is no longer a possibility," she said in a statement. "Now that the Legislature has decided not to act, we will turn our attention to other options."

Both Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, and House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, cited concerns with throwing out the results of Michigan's January primary and logistical and legal difficulties face by local clerks. The clerks would have run the election, but it would have been paid for by major Democratic donors.

———

Associated Press Writers David Eggert and Tim Martin contributed to this report.

Thursday, Mar 20 at 12:44 PM Laura Long wrote ...

I think it is un-American to have an election financed by a few wealthy individuals with strong ties to one of the candidates. It is just wrong.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular

WSBT Weather

icon
60
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
60 Minutes
8.00
Big Brother 10
9.00
Cold Case
10.00
CSI: NY
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Irish Sports Report

Question of The Day

Who is going to win the Super Bowl 2007 rematch?

  • Bears
  • Colts

Most Popular