Michigan Primary Race Not Over for Clinton vs. Obama, McCain vs. Huckabee

Party Decisions, Uncommitted Delegates, Still Hanging Fire, May be Crucial

February 10, 2008
By: Dave Rogers

The Democratic Convention delegates supposedly elected in Michigan still don't count, but if they did Hillary Clinton would get a boost in her hotly-contested Presidential Primary delegate race with Barack Obama.

And the 45 delegates won by Mitt Romney on the Republican side could become a prize to be sought by John McCain and Mike Huckabee who won only 10 and 3 delegates respectively in the Michigan primary.

Democrats and Republicans alike are facing loss of delegates for violating primary scheduling rules. Democrats have been stripped of all delegates. But the GOP would lose just half the delegation unless the decision is reversed.


With McCain far in the lead, Huckabee might be expected to appeal to the national party for a reversal. However, Romney may have to agree and has not indicated if he would favor Huckabee should the opportunity arise.

Mrs. Clinton has asked the national party to reinstate Michigan and Florida delegates stripped in an intra-party tussle over election dates. The decision has been roundly condemned by top Democratic figures in Michigan.

There has been no indication of how the party chiefs will line up on the issue of reinstatement, but Mrs. Clinton will probably have an edge because of the clout wielded by her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

That could be bad news for Obama in the duel between senators for the Democratic nomination.

Most of the uncommitted delegates are expected to go to Senator Barack Obama, D-Illinois, who at present is slightly ahead in the delegate count. But it won't mean a thing unless the party agrees to seat the Michigan delegates.

The party last week released the allocation of pledged delegates, alternates, and committee members for Hillary Clinton and for "Uncommitted" based on the Jan. 15 Presidential Primary results certified Feb. 4 by the Board of State Canvassers.

Mrs. Clinton will have 73 pledged delegates, 16 pledged alternates, and 10 committee members, and there will be 55 uncommitted delegates, 5 uncommitted alternates, and 8 uncommitted committee members.

Eighty-three (83) pledged delegates and 15 pledged alternates will be elected at Congressional District Conventions on March 29, 2008. The remaining 45 pledged delegates and 6 pledged alternates will be elected at a State Central Committee meeting on May 17 in Grand Rapids. Committee members will be elected that day by the entire delegation.

Mrs. Clinton has said that she will try to get both Michigan and Florida's delegates seated at the national convention in Denver.

Michigan Democratic Chair Mark Brewer earlier this week told news agencies discussions are underway to resolve the delegate dispute, but he opposes a new round of caucuses.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin also dismissed the idea of caucuses held out hope the state delegation will be seated.

"Given that 600,000 Michigan voters participated in a primary that was held in accordance with Michigan law, it seems to me that it would not be practical or fair to throw out the results of that election," Sen. Levin said.

Michigan Republican party chair Saul Anuzis said the 45 delegates won by Romney have been reallocated to uncommitted.

Would-be delegates in the 13 Congressional districts won by Romney and those seeking at-large delegate slots must apply for election as uncommitted delegates or alternates. Three other national convention delegates are "super delegates" not pledged to any candidate.

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