Comments on: My Republican Primary Picks For Michigan http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/ Reality-based political commentary Sun, 10 May 2026 01:41:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1633 Chris Weigant Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:49:49 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1633 benskull - Before I get to the Democrats, I have to pat myself on the back for calling the Republican race 3-for-3. Woo hoo! Romney won by more than I expected, but at least I finally got all three names right in one of these picks articles.... Hey I even got Ron Paul's fourth place right, beating Thompson and Giuliani to do so. Michigan broke Dem party rules by moving their contest up before Feb. 5th. As a result, in the party's rules committee meeting, they stripped MI of all delegates to the convention. This means Michigan's vote is meaningless when it comes to selecting a nominee. This is a harsh penalty, and Michigan has complained about it, so we'll see (at the convention) whether they even get seated or not. Because of the party ruling, Edwards and Obama either (news reports vary) did not officially file their candidacies in Michigan, or (more commonly reported) officially had their names removed from the ballot. For whatever her reasons, Hillary did not do so. So the ballot had Clinton, Kucinich, and Gravel on it. I think "Other" or maybe "write in" was on the ballot, but Clinton still won hands-down. But it's a meaningless victory. I can see both sides of this issue, personally. Sure, MI Dems should have a vote and a voice. But the insanity with the primary schedule has to stop somewhere, or else we're all going to be voting two years before the event. It's up to the parties themselves to police this, so I can understand what the Dem party is doing to discourage breaking the rules in the future. Now, I am for nationalizing the elections and the primaries, and having federal (not state) rules for them. I have said so many times. But this is unlikely to happen any time soon, I realize this as well. Did the Dem party overreact? What do you think? -CW benskull -

Before I get to the Democrats, I have to pat myself on the back for calling the Republican race 3-for-3. Woo hoo! Romney won by more than I expected, but at least I finally got all three names right in one of these picks articles....

Hey I even got Ron Paul's fourth place right, beating Thompson and Giuliani to do so.

Michigan broke Dem party rules by moving their contest up before Feb. 5th. As a result, in the party's rules committee meeting, they stripped MI of all delegates to the convention. This means Michigan's vote is meaningless when it comes to selecting a nominee. This is a harsh penalty, and Michigan has complained about it, so we'll see (at the convention) whether they even get seated or not. Because of the party ruling, Edwards and Obama either (news reports vary) did not officially file their candidacies in Michigan, or (more commonly reported) officially had their names removed from the ballot. For whatever her reasons, Hillary did not do so. So the ballot had Clinton, Kucinich, and Gravel on it. I think "Other" or maybe "write in" was on the ballot, but Clinton still won hands-down. But it's a meaningless victory.

I can see both sides of this issue, personally. Sure, MI Dems should have a vote and a voice. But the insanity with the primary schedule has to stop somewhere, or else we're all going to be voting two years before the event. It's up to the parties themselves to police this, so I can understand what the Dem party is doing to discourage breaking the rules in the future.

Now, I am for nationalizing the elections and the primaries, and having federal (not state) rules for them. I have said so many times. But this is unlikely to happen any time soon, I realize this as well. Did the Dem party overreact? What do you think?

-CW

]]> By: benskull http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1630 benskull Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:00:46 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1630 What the Hell?! I've never heard about this! How is it possible that the candidates names won't be on the ballots? How could they make a move like that? I can't imagine that it will encourage Michigan Dems to vote. Can they vote for other? That angers me. What the Hell?! I've never heard about this! How is it possible that the candidates names won't be on the ballots? How could they make a move like that? I can't imagine that it will encourage Michigan Dems to vote. Can they vote for other? That angers me.

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1629 Chris Weigant Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:46:16 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1629 UPDATE: I had to correct this article, due to my own mistake. I had thought Michigan was one of those states that had their Democratic and Republican primaries on different days, but they are both being held tomorrow. But the Democratic primary is not really contested, as only Hillary's name is on the ballot, and the results are meaningless since the party has told Michigan that their delegates will not be recognized (due to Michigan moving their date earlier than Feb. 5th). So I wouldn't have given Democratic picks anyway. I have changed two sentences in the article to reflect the reality, though. Sorry for the confusion. -CW UPDATE:

I had to correct this article, due to my own mistake. I had thought Michigan was one of those states that had their Democratic and Republican primaries on different days, but they are both being held tomorrow.

But the Democratic primary is not really contested, as only Hillary's name is on the ballot, and the results are meaningless since the party has told Michigan that their delegates will not be recognized (due to Michigan moving their date earlier than Feb. 5th). So I wouldn't have given Democratic picks anyway.

I have changed two sentences in the article to reflect the reality, though.

Sorry for the confusion.

-CW

]]> By: fstanley http://www.chrisweigant.com/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1628 fstanley Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:58:19 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2008/01/14/my-republican-primary-picks-for-michigan/#comment-1628 All these different methods of selecting a candidate just make my head spin. I will the parties would set national standards. But since democrats/independants can vote in the republican primary I guess some of them might act the spoiler but I don't think they will come out in great numbers. I think Romney and McCain might end up tied for first place. ...Stan All these different methods of selecting a candidate just make my head spin. I will the parties would set national standards. But since democrats/independants can vote in the republican primary I guess some of them might act the spoiler but I don't think they will come out in great numbers.

I think Romney and McCain might end up tied for first place.

...Stan

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