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presidential primary 
Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 12:18:38 PM EDT
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(The latest - promoted by Eric B.)
It would appear that the much-talked-about "Michigan Mulligan" is inching towards becoming a reality, with Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick saying "we're close."
The proposed date? June 3rd. (The do-over--in whatever form--must occur before June 10th to count towards the Convention, according to DNC rules).
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Michigan congresswoman said Friday that the state's Democrats are working on plans for a June 3 primary that would give them a say in the tight presidential nomination race between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick said the primary would be statewide and would be funded through party money. She is one of four Democrats who are not endorsing either candidate who are working together on a plan for a repeat primary.
Clinton won a primary the state held in January, but Obama's name wasn't on the ballot. He had it removed because the primary was held too early to comply with national party rules, meaning no delegates were at stake.
Florida also had its delegates stripped for holding a primary in January. The Florida Democratic Party offered a plan for a mail-in primary Thursday, but admitted it didn't have a good chance of being approved. Kilpatrick said the mail-in approach wouldn't work in Michigan.
Kilpatrick said discussions on the plan would continue Friday. "We're hopeful. We're close," she told reporters after appearing at a Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill.
Other Michigan Democrats working on the plan include Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell, Sen. Carl Levin and United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger.
Kilpatrick said although she is optimistic, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey has expressed concern they may not have the time or manpower to pull it off. She said they are trying to work through those issues.
To go forward, any plan would require the approval of the two candidates' campaigns, the Democratic National Committee, state party leaders and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is backing Clinton.
Michigan Democrats need to act quickly because the politically divided legislature will have to sign off on the deal and approve how to spend the privately raised funds for a new election. Members of the Democratic-controlled state House and Republican-controlled state Senate leave at the end of the month on their two-week spring break.
Florida Democrats said they will make a decision by Monday on whether to hold a dual mail-in and in-person re-vote. But the plan floated this week faces opposition from the state's Democratic congressional delegation, and Obama has also expressed concerns about security and accuracy of a mail-in vote organized so quickly. Democratic National Committee rules require the vote to be scheduled by June 10.
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Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 13:56:34 PM EST
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I said yesterday that anything under 60% would be a loss for Clinton. She got 55%, and I haven't seen any indication that I was wrong. OK, I know that Jim Blanchard and Debbie Stabenow and Jennifer Granholm and her blogger fans are spinning this as a great achievement, but I don't think that passes the smell test. In 2008, for better or for worse, the only thing you can "win" in a primary is momentum. You get that by getting positive attention in the mainstream media and, to a much lesser extent, in the blogosphere. Clinton didn't do that yesterday. She got negative attention. Not much - I'm not saying this is a crippling defeat - but read the CNN stories about how she lost the youth vote and lost the African-American vote to "Pass". The current headline on CNN's political ticker is "Potentially troubling news for Clinton in Michigan 'win'"
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Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 00:01:58 AM EST
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Clinton Campaign Manager Patti Solis Doyle released the following statement on the Michigan primary:
"Tonight Michigan Democrats spoke loudly for a new beginning. You spoke out for an economy that would honor the middle class, not punish it. You spoke out for a president who will fight to create good paying jobs at a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet. You spoke out for an end to the war in Iraq. You spoke out for a quality, affordable health care system that works for all Americans.
"For that, we thank you.
"Your voices matter. And as president, Hillary Clinton will not only keep listening, but will make sure your voice is always heard." With 95% of the precincts reporting, Hillary Clinton leads with 55% of the vote. Uncommitted garnered 40% of the vote; :uncommitted" delegates will be able to vote for any candidate at the convention, including Sen. Clinton, Sen. Obama, John Edwards, or Rep. Kucinich.
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Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 15:39:12 PM EST
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Michigan Congressman Sander Levin, will be joining Democrats across Michigan and voting for New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Michigan's January 15th presidential primary.
"I will be voting for Hillary Clinton," said Rep. Levin. Citing their work together on "issues that matter" ranging from decent jobs, quality, affordable health care for every American, good trade policies, social security, and strong national security that engages the world in diplomacy.
"I will be voting for Hillary Clinton having found her personally as one with a deep sense of caring, a willingness to listen to various points of views on complex issues and then the grit to act decisively at the same time proud that the nation is being advantaged by a contest between an unusually high caliber of Democratic Presidential candidates."
Rep. Levin joins Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Governor John Cherry, US Senator Debbie Stabenow, State Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and a host of other elected officials who have publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's primary.
Earlier this week, the Michigan for Hillary Steering Committee (headed by former Michigan Governor Jim Blanchard) announced a list of Hispanic Leaders Supporting Hillary Clinton.
The full text of the statement below:
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Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 01:47:41 AM EST
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A Huffington Post OffTheBus exclusive has the details about a misleading anti-Hillary notice that is being posted throughout Grand Rapids.
The flyer apparently uses the Michigan Democratic Party header graphic (which says "Join the MDP") to promote voting for uncommitted in Michigan's January 15th presidential primary.
The patriotically-themed, seemingly professionally produced leaflet I held in my hand at first appeared to be the work of the Michigan Democratic Party, who I presumed was attempting to get out the vote for Tuesday's primary. I'd found it on the windshield of my car, and the same leaflet was on every car in the parking lot outside of an afternoon basketball game...
"Attention Michigan Voters!!," the leaflet proclaims. "Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent...THIS AFFECTS YOU!!!" Although the leaflet features the Michigan Democratic Party logo, it is unclear who is behind this latest tactic.
Making no mention of that fact, the author of the leaflet states that "voting 'uncommitted' gives your candidate a fighting chance this summer...you don't have to be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary. Ask for a Democratic ballot at your polling place." What the document does not say, however, is that "voting 'uncommitted'" is, effectively a sabotage vote against Hillary Clinton...
It is unclear whether or not this flyer, or those distributing it, are affiliated with the Party -- or if their actions are sanctioned. What is clear is that this is a pathetic, and borderline fraudulent attempt to scare Michiganders into voting "Uncommitted" in the primary.
A call placed to the Michigan Democratic Party headquarters was not immediately returned. What is clear, however, is that these types of dirty tricks must be investigated by not just the Michigan Democratic Party, but by those campaigns whose supporters may be involved and the perpetrators must be held accountable.
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Thu Nov 29, 2007 at 11:42:12 AM EST
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This is part of an e-mail I got from Doug Kelley, one of the co-leaders of the Michigan Draft Gore movement:
"With an increasing possibility that NO candidate will win the nomination on the first ballot (in the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August), the possibility of the delegates turning to Gore may also be increasing. Gore supporters here in Michigan will be well advised to vote on the "Uncommitted" line, on the January 15 Democratic primary ballot. In each Congressional District in which 15% or more of voters vote "Uncommitted," one or more uncommitted delegates will be chosen (in the Spring) to go to the Dem National Convention. So . . . all is NOT lost, from a Draft Gore point of view!"
Even if you're not a Gore supporter, if your candidate is one of those not on the ballot, you can vote "uncommitted" to help get as many uncommitted delegates at the convention as possible (if our delegates even get seated) to help keep [fill in the blank] from getting Michigan's votes on the first ballot.
Now I don't know whether to vote for Dodd or Uncommitted!
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Sat Sep 08, 2007 at 02:07:22 AM EDT
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( - promoted by greentuna)
Sick of hearing about the state budget and Presidential primary? This Coffee Talk might not be for you. But for everyone else:
The Budget:
- BFM: Bishop to come up with $1 billion in cuts. Now why would a conservative want to cut $150 in funding for Human Services? Because if they cared about ordinary people, they wouldn't be conservative! Also, Dillon had some choice words for Bishop.
- BC Enquirer: Susan J. Demas: On Swine and Spines. On Drolet's recall threats: "Just what we need, to hemorrhage more moderate, reasonable voices in politics, just for doing what they think is right to represent the people of their district and the state of Michigan."
- Jack Lessenberry: Taxing Concerns. Noting that "Our lawmakers aren't being paid $80,000 a year to smile and wave," Jack offers his latest thoughts on the budget crisis. He also interviewed MSU's Charles Ballard.
- Senate Dems: Schauer, Jackson Area Leaders Fight to Protect Tax Credit for Working Poor. Says one pastor: "They give up time with their family, contribute to their communities, and the least we can do is find ways to help them make ends meet." An 'amen,' anyone?
- Liberal, Loud, and Proud: What not to do when you're an elected official. Mike Bishop and Mark Foley are featured, among others.
- BFM: Michigan's Best Kept Fiscal Secret #2: College Education = Prosperity. Repubs like to talk about how lousy the economy is here, yet they punish the institutions that are critical in fixing the economy.
Primaries:
- Midland Daily News: Nominating process changes are needed. A proposal by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Great Lakes State) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) is discussed.
- Oakland Press: Restore democracy to primary election process. They oppose the idea of moving up the primary.
- MDP: Michigan Democrats Urge DNC to Stop New Hampshire Double Standard. The MDP wants to know, why no talk of stripping New Hampshire's delegates?
- Daily Kos: Another reason the DNC needs to wake up when it comes to FL and MI. The author argues that this could help GOP candidates gain more exposure over Democrats in two key states.
Everything else:
- Walberg Watch: Native American Housing Assistance - Walberg Votes No. It's bad enough that Native Americans are largely ignored in politics today. So why do Walberg and Hoekstra oppose improving their lives?
- MLive: Report: Michigan's University Research Corridor is succeeding. We could use some good news, couldn't we?
- Monroe News: State 'explores' tourism push. An interesting piece about thoise Welcome Centers.
- Port Huron Times Herald: Wind power finds Thumb home. It will likely be some time before the plant is actually operational, but key hurdles have been cleared.
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Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 00:11:52 AM EDT
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What's the sound of our Michigan election system breaking? It's the sound of
silence--being taken for granted by legislators, a Governor afraid to
use the veto, state politicos one-upping, newspapers who treat election problems as inside
baseball, and of course, Joe Citizen, thinking those blue-haired ladies
will always be there to do their patriotic duty. And it is the sound of
misfired guns in a national conflict among Democrats, where the shooting
victims are Michigan local officials, voters and taxpayers.
Who will be the workers to run a January 15 Presidential Primary election? The experienced
precinct workers, if they haven't already quit in anticipation of the
grueling May, August, and November election schedule for 2008, are going
to spend January in Florida and Arizona. Younger, employed people are not
going to be available to take another day off, right after the holidays.
Election administrators will be exhausted from conducting the odd-year
November elections this fall--now likely to have to be held all around
the state thanks to the legislature threatening to put on a statewide
ballot question. Clerk's office staffs will not get any break over the
holidays because, barely finished with the November election cleanup, they
must by law send out daily batches of AV ballots starting in December, for January 15.
Local election budgets, already tripled by the benighted 2003
Devos-Ward-Hammerstrom-Land Election Con bills, will be at the breaking
point. The two political parties must be loaded, if they can afford $10
million for the January 15 primary, but they won't under current law
have to reimburse local governments for the extraordinary time and
effort of salaried staff, for wear and tear on election equipment, for the
loss of good will of polling place hosts, and for the opportunity cost of lost administrative attention to
pressing matters like roads and sewers and jobs and the environment.
What's the sound of Michigan's election system breaking? Screams of
anger and tears of disillusionment when the November,
2008, elections wind up in chaos, long lines, and broken-down tabulators
because there wasn't any money left to hire the few people still willing
to work an 18-hour day. A sound a lot like Ohio and Florida.
Jan BenDor, Certified Elections Administrator
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Fri May 18, 2007 at 15:19:43 PM EDT
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(Too good not to share... - promoted by Nazgul35)
Things are not looking good for the Michigan Republican Party Chair.
From the Michigan Conservative Dossier:
I got this email from the MI Republican Liberty Caucus today:
Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis will be issuing a statement retracting his call for Ron Paul to be excluded from future debates. His office now says
that there will be no "petition" circulated and a staffer says he hopes there will be a public statement about the matter later today. All of the website contact forms at http://www.migop.org... were deleted when the volume of negative comments exceeded the site's capacity.The state office (517) 487-5413 is still accepting calls.
There's more:
92% Do not support Anuzis' efforts to bar Ron Paul from future debates
POLL QUESTION: Do you support Michigan Republican Chair Saul Anuzis' efforts to bar Congressman Ron Paul from future debates?
Yes--His Comments crossed the line
11 votes/8%
He has the right to say what he wants
128 votes/92%
Total Votes: 139
From FreeMarketNews.com :
Has Saul Anuzis had enough? The Michigan GOP big had wanted to ban presidential candidate Ron Paul from further debates. But an Internet wildfire may have derailed his efforts.
FNMN feedbacker Tim writes: "I contacted the Michigan GOP early this morning & was told Saul Anuzis was backing down & would be officially withdrawing his petition. Can anyone confirm this? Grassroots apparently turned into a grassfire on the neocons & instead of protecting their home they ran to hide. If they keep losing battles in their War Against Ron Paul, we might gain the White House for him yet!"
From Mike's Blog :
I just spoke with a friend who knows the people who work in the Michigan GOP office. He said the office "can't handle the volume" and "don't know what to do". Saul Anuzis's blackberry is flooded with messages, his voicemail is already full, and Ron Paul supporters are starting to find new phone numbers to reach him. They are totally freaked out.
Those are just the tip of the iceberg. There are over 300 blogposts about Saul and Ron Paul. Not to mention the hundreds of news stories.
I am guessing we won't be seeing comment #64 anytime soon.
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Mon May 14, 2007 at 10:51:54 AM EDT
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It's only my fourth day on the job, but I know my internship with Senator Clinton's presidential campaign will count as one of the most exciting times in my life.
A Lansing, Michigan native, I drove to New Hampshire to accept a 3 week internship in the state's communications division. I've been helping with briefings, locating articles, and handling the press at various events.
Last Friday, May 11, the Senator spent the day in 4 different Granite State towns. I was able to attend and staff her visit to Exeter Hospital to discuss healthcare, and also her stop at the Portsmouth Sheraton to ask for the Fire Fighter's support. The Exeter event was especially exciting because we heard from 4 participants who all shared different stories concerning children's healthcare. One woman's story about her daughter's struggle with health insurance was especially touching. It really made me realize why we need leaders like Senator Clinton to turn things around.
I'm excited to be working to ensure Senator Clinton's success in New Hampshire. It seems the primary election is edging closer and closer each day! I guess that's partially thanks to my home state's acute ambition to hold its caucus first for a change. Whether the primary ends up being first or second, a victory for the Clinton team is a must in New Hampshire. I have only just begun working with the team here, but they sure seem like winners to me! I can't wait for what's to come, not only for my personal experience and growth, but for the campaign's future and the long road to securing the first woman in the Oval office.
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