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Bigwigs Wrangle Over Fla., Michigan

Campaigns, states, party try to resolve barred delegates mess

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 8:16 AM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's race to capture every pledged delegate has revived a contentious issue: what to do with the disqualified delegates from Michigan and Florida. Both campaigns, state leaders, and party elders all agree that something must be done. But the party is at an impasse over how to proceed, not least over who would foot an $18 million bill for a do-over, writes the New York Times.

Both campaigns are open to a possible revote, although Obama's side is more cautious; they would rather see a simple 50-50 split of delegates. Both states' governors and DNC chairman Howard Dean would be fine with a revote—but both sides want the other to pay for it. Even with a revote, however, neither candidate would likely be able to pass the threshold of 2,209 pledged delegates to win the nomination outright.

Hillary Clinton celebrating her Potemkin village win in the Florida primary. Delegates from Florida and Michigan have been barred from the DNC convention.
Hillary Clinton celebrating her "Potemkin village" win in the Florida primary. Delegates from Florida and Michigan have been barred from the DNC convention.   (Associated Press)
Gov. Charlie Crist speaks at a news conference to call on the Democratic National Committee to seat their Florida delegates at the national convention, Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. Charlie Crist and Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm released a joint statement Wednesday making the plea and saying the...
Gov. Charlie Crist speaks at a news conference to call on the Democratic National Committee to seat their Florida delegates at the national convention, Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Tallahassee, Fla. Charlie...   (Associated Press)
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on CBS's Face the Nation in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Hillary Clinton celebrating her Potemkin village win in the Florida primary. Delegates from Florida and Michigan have been barred from the DNC convention.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on CBS's "Face the Nation" in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Hillary Clinton celebrating her "Potemkin village" win in the Florida primary. Delegates from Florida and...   (Associated Press)
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean delivers a guest lecture to a class in comparative politics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., in this May file photo. Dean urged Florida and Michigan party officials to come up with plans to repeat their presidential nominating contests so that their delegates can...
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean delivers a guest lecture to a class in comparative politics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., in this May file photo. Dean urged Florida and Michigan party officials...   (Associated Press)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, has a word with Democratic National Comiitee Chairman Howard Dean after she addressed the Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting in Vienna, Va., Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, has a word with Democratic National Comiitee Chairman Howard Dean after she addressed the Democratic National Committee Fall Meeting in Vienna, Va., Friday,...   (Associated Press)
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The candidates, governors and chairman, verbatim
New York Times

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Howard Dean • Charlie Crist • Jennifer Granholm • Democratic presidential primaries • Michigan primary • Florida primary • barred delegates • re-vote

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