Florida and Michigan Do-Over

CNN reports "Florida, Michigan revotes come down to money." Florida and Michigan leaders are shouting for a “do-over” as though the primaries are a schoolyard foursquare game. The claim is that the voters of Florida and Michigan deserve the right to be heard and counted, threatening that not allowing a re-vote will lead to some sort of political revolt against the DNC and possibly even the entire democratic party in November.

While it was discussed that they might just count the votes from the first primary, this is absurdly unfair. I can’t believe anyone even thought this would be acceptable. First, Obama wasn’t even on the ballot in Michigan. Second, no one was supposed to campaign in either state, though Clinton did anyways. She knew then that those delegates were stripped. Interesting that she campaigned anyways. Of course she won both states. If I ran for president and I was the only one on the ballot, I’d probably win too.

Is a re-vote even fair? I don’t think so. It’s going to take substantially more effort to change the votes of the people who voted for Clinton before. Psychologically, they already made a final decision. It doesn’t sit well with me either that a month ago Clinton was petitioning for these votes to count and now she might get her wish. She knew and knows she absolutely needs those delegates. She makes me feel like a conspiracy theorist. I’ll be wearing a tin foil hat soon. I want to believe in the democratic party, and six months ago, if I was asked, I’d have said either candidate (or even any with Edwards) would make a good president – great compared to the current administration. But there is so much going on with her campaign that I’m leery of electing another dishonest president. I digress.

I do somewhat feel bad for the voters of the two states. I’m sure not all of them were aware that their delegates were stripped when they voted. Of those who did know, I suppose it could’ve just been a vote of support. I might’ve done the same. Probably would have. They do deserve a chance to be heard and make a decision. But they also elected the officials that chose the path to this fiasco, so they are ultimately responsible. And of course, they will still get to vote in November.

Really, what gets me is that the states want the DNC to pay for another election. It’s completely ridiculous that they would expect this or even hope for it. They’re the ones who broke the rules! They helped make the rules – agreed and voted. There was no gray area about when primaries could be held. They were clearly not just guidelines. When the states announced the early dates of the primaries, the DNC warned them they would be stripped of their delegates, they went ahead with the elections. One can only assume they thought the DNC was bluffing? It’s like getting a ticket for speeding and expecting the judge to pay the fine. It makes no sense in any way.

Right now though all we can do is wait and see how it turns out. I will watch and hope that the DNC is firm and consistent, and that fairness wins out.

PS I love Vermont and a country where people have the freedom to express themselves in such a way.