by Frank James
The Democratic primary process this year was, to put it bluntly, a mess created, in part, by the states of Florida and Michigan moving their primaries to earlier dates that were unsanctioned by the national party.
That led to the states being stripped of their delegates as punishment by the Democratic National Committee. That, in turn, contributed to the primaries and caucuses running all the way into June until Sen. Hillary Clinton finally conceded to Sen. Barack Obama.
Because the system was thrown out of whack by the banishment of Michigan and Florida's delegates, superdelegates, those party officials who become delegates by virtue of their offices, played a much larger role this year than anyone expected.
So the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee have proposed a special commission whose goal would be to avoid similar future fiascoes.
Here's how the Obama campaign explains it:
CHICAGO -Today the Obama Campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced a proposal to establish a special commission to recommend changes to the Democratic Party's rules for delegate selection and presidential primary timing for future presidential cycles. The proposal will be presented to the Convention Rules Committee on Saturday in Denver.
The 'Democratic Change Commission' will address three issues 1) changes to the opening of the window and pre-window, 2) reducing the number of superdelegates and 3) changes to the caucus system. The goal of the commission will be to ensure that no primary or caucus is held prior to the first Tuesday in March of 2012, with the exception of the approved pre-window states, whose contests would be held during February 2012.
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Comments
The Dems are in bad shape with Obama-period-
Posted by: George | August 20, 2008 7:49 PM
Somebody needs to do their homework.
It has been under the radar for many but there were 4 more states that violated their authorized primary/caucus windows per the enclosures of the lawsuit Nelson versus Dean over the Florida delegates.
None of those 4 states had any penalty assigned.
This could turn into the basis for a major credentials challenge at Denver.
Posted by: googleaddict | August 20, 2008 9:01 PM
I just saw another political program with a Obama supporter indicating with a smile and a nod that the Democrats will certainly come together. Despite the fact that the Democrats threw blows at each other (which the Republicans have, and will use against them), Michigan and Florida not being properly handled, Hillary being told by her own party to 'end this whole thing,' Hillary voters now so angry they won't vote for the democrat, no matter who it is (some even indicating they will vote for McCain!), Bill's craziness, and all the flip-flops Obama has made... why is anybody to believe that the democratic party is capable of leading the country? They can't even run their party! Now they have to write new rules for the next convention because they couldn't even enforce the ones already there?
All the while, the former Republican Presidential candidates are not only supporting McCain, but campaigning for him.
Can we truly believe that this convention will REALLY bring them together?
Posted by: jcheney | August 20, 2008 10:21 PM
I think the Republicans have enough on their plate, they should pay more attention to their candidate's inability to connect with voters. If they don't do something soon, it could be a landslide, by which Senator Obama wins the Presidency.
Senator " Questionable Conduct " McCain has to bring all of them, Hagee, Robertson, Cheney, Bush, on board and frankly, America is sick of their bile, their lies and more lies. I have a good feeling about our coming out of our convention, united and stronger than ever. It is then, that the nation will show the Bush-McCain Republicans, the door. Give them a one-way ticket back to their districts and explain to their voters, why they betrayed them and let down an entire nation !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | August 20, 2008 11:15 PM
Primaries? fie. Bring back smoke filled rooms. The whole process is silly and a huge waste of money and the public's attention.
Granted, smoke filled rooms would give us Hillary this time, but Obama would get the next slot, 2012 if she loses, 2016 if she wins.
Democracy is overrated. Especially in the parties.
Posted by: Pat F | August 21, 2008 1:17 AM
I couldn't believe the crazy caucus system. It's such a waiste of time. It's more like watching a game show. That's what you think of it. It's a chance for those who really love politics to get to play a game board on a Giant Scale. It looks rediculous to those of us not having to participate. Get a Scrabble board, get over yourselves and NIX it altogether.
Posted by: move three spaces forward and roll the dice | August 21, 2008 6:22 AM