News: 2 Clinton Backers Promise $15M For Revote

The gauntlet is being laid down. As was first broched by James Carville on Friday, two prominant Clinton backers, John Corzine and Ed Rendell, the governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are promising to raise $15M for revotes in Florida and Michigan, half the projected cost of $30M. Now it is up to the Obama campaign to pony up and get this done. As I discussed today, The Democrats will lose in the fall if they disenfranchise Florida and Michigan. Obama is stalling and trying to run out the clock with empty rhetoric, procedural mumbo jumbo and false proposals. He's not fooling anyone except his most ardent supporters. He thinks that it will help him win the nomination, but what's the point in winning the battle if you lose the war. That's not leadership.

These states need to have meaningful votes.  Obama may think that he can get the nomination without seating these delegations, but he would lose the general election without Florida and Michigan. It is time for Obama to stop stalling, pony up his share and get this done right for the sake of his candidacy and the party.

Here's the breaking story:

New York Times: 2 Clinton Backers Offer a Way to Stage New Primaries

Two of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's biggest supporters, who are also two of the Democratic Party's most successful fund-raisers, have offered to help raise millions of dollars to stage new primaries in Florida and Michigan.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey and Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania said Sunday that they would be willing to raise half the $30 million it would take to run new contests in those two states. Mr. Corzine and Mr. Rendell submitted their proposal to The Washington Post.

...

Mr. Rendell raised the fund-raising proposal on "Meet the Press" on NBC as he pressed for re-votes in the two states. Former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota, speaking for the Obama campaign, also appeared on the program and said he would go along.

"We don't have any problem with that," Mr. Daschle said.

Mr. Rendell said that, in the submission to The Washington Post, he and Mr. Corzine offered to "help raise the approximately $15 million which would be half of the $30 million it would take to run those two contests."

Asked about the proposal by WNBC-TV on Sunday, Mr. Corzine said it had not been cleared with the Obama campaign. He also said the best time for new contests, were they to happen, would be after the last scheduled primaries are held in early June.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Corzine, Deborah Howlett, later said: "He doesn't think that the states or the taxpayers in Michigan or Florida should pay for the election. And he's glad to help the D.N.C. raise money to cover the costs."

The ball is in Obama's court. Will he continue to stall or will he get with the program. Every minute he delays it demonstrates to the voters of Florida and Michigan which candidate is standing in the way of counting their votes.


Poll
Pony up Obama?
Yes
No

Votes: 24
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Display:


Daschle says he's got no problem... (2.00 / 0)

What say you Barack?


by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:02:02 AM EST

Poor Rendell (none / 0)

Look what's turning up;
http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/mod ule/displaystory/story_id/6001/edition_i d/111/format/html/displaystory.html
"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:04:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Poor Rendell (2.00 / 2)

That's a story from April 18, 1997 Setrak.

I think you are losing it. He's a popular Democratic Governor in a swing state, and you are going on a hatched job dredging up stuff from more than ten years ago. Is this the new politics, because it seems just like the Republican slime machine?


by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:09:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Poor Rendell (none / 0)

No, it's a reminder for any of the diarists who continue to drag Farrakhan into it.  You know, the diarists who keep recycling the same junk.   Who look desperately for things to take out of context.  Kind of like Hannity and Limbaugh.


"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:46:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Setrack, one question... (2.00 / 1)

While you are on. Let me just ask you. Why do you think Obama is so unwilling to let Florida and Michigan have a meaningful election?


by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:11:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Setrack, one question... (none / 0)

You and I have gone over this several times already.  It's getting tiring.

He isn't unwilling, they've been having a disagreement as to who will pay the bill.  The states, especially Michigan, don't want to.  Crist really doesn't want to be known as the Republican governor that spent millions for the Dems.  The parties don't want to, they want to focus on November.  It's ALL about money.

Obama benefits from a revote in Michigan.  In Florida, he could certainly have ample time to sell himself to voters.  He's one of the best in recent memory at retail politics on the stump.  Why?  Because he comes across as entirely genuine.  It's a shame you probably won't have the privilege of hearing him speak in person.


"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:49:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Setrack, one question... (none / 0)

Heh. Personally, if Hillary and Obama campaign in FL, I will be trotting my happy ass right on down there to hear both of them speak. I hear all this amazing stuff about Obama rallies, and I'd really like to see it for myself -- in person. I'm willing to do just about anything that might make me like him more. If there's a good chance I'll have to vote for him in November, I'd really like for it not to feel like a horribly unpleasant experience. And of course, hearing Hillary speak will just make me happy.

Then I'll go hit the beach.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:57:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Setrack, one question... (none / 0)

That is just a lie! Why do you keep repeating it?


by marcotom on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:52:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Actually (none / 0)

This sounds like a great idea. The Clinton "backer," which are political backers, not financial backers, are offering to organize the fund raising for the 30 millions dollars, not donate it.
Excellent idea, and I don't see how this would benefit either candidate unfairly.
Michigan seems like a tie, and Florida gives Clinton a slight demographic advantage, but who know how things will change between now and June?
I only hope the primaries will allow independents to vote (not Republicans though), and it doesn't seem unfair to have that stipulation added.  
"Please. How stupid do I look to you? World Domination. I'll leave that to the religious nuts or the Republicans, thank you." The Monarch (Evil Villain)
by fetboy on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:12:36 AM EST

Re: Actually (2.00 / 1)

Go and convince folks over in the Obama camp to get on-board. This is the only road to victory this fall for either Dem candidate. The sooner he buys in to the idea, the better it will be for him. So far they seem to be thinkling they can stiff Florida and Michigan. It's a really bad plan...


by MediaFreeze on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:20:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't think anyone (none / 0)

has any doubt that some sort of arrangement will be made to redo the Michigan and Florida delegate assigning possesses, because the results are not going to stand as is (certainly Michigan's can't), and the rules are not going to be bent.
A redo of Primaries in both states doesn't bother me in the least, as long as they are semi-open (independents, but no Republicans).
Also I think it would be unethical if the candidates themselves are forced to pay for the redos.
Outside funding from limited donation fund raising sounds like a very good idea.
Also I think it would be a better idea if the states' primaries were held at least 2 weeks apart (though that may not be possible.
I really hate this multiple states on one day crap, especially when the states are on opposite sides of the country (not bordering each other).
"Please. How stupid do I look to you? World Domination. I'll leave that to the religious nuts or the Republicans, thank you." The Monarch (Evil Villain)
by fetboy on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 05:40:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Actually (none / 0)

Who says they are against a redo? Nobody does, except you, because for some reason you like spreading that lie and you even get uprates for it from your fellow delusionists. Great work.


by marcotom on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:57:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers (none / 0)

Obviously Obama is not in favor of this because he will likely lose both states.  That is why I believe Hillary needs to take her name off the ballot in Mississippi and North Carolina in order to deny Obama wins.  If her name is not on the ballot, he can't claim to have won anything...right?


by mbfeldma on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:18:39 AM EST

you think he will lose michigan? n/t (none / 0)


-- be excellent to each other
by kindthoughts on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:39:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers (none / 0)

He is for redos, he always said that and there is no reason to believe otherwise.


by marcotom on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:57:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Where's Obama's $15 million... (none / 0)

...If Obama is for re-dos, then he or some of his surrogates need to come to the table with their $15 million.

Clinton's team already has $15 million on the table.  

Where's Obama's?


by andrewalker08 on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 12:05:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sounds great (2.00 / 0)

I'm an Obama supporter and I want a re-vote in Florida and Michigan. I believe Obama will win Michigan and lose Florida - but not by the margins of January. Either way, those states should be able to vote. Set up the primary for June 7 and get on with it. We Obama supporters don't fear it. And the Obama campaign doesn't fear it either.


by elrod on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:37:39 AM EST

I am not really sure either campaign (none / 0)

supporters should be paying for Florida's and Michigan's National party mistakes.


-- be excellent to each other
by kindthoughts on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:40:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sounds great (none / 0)

Enfranchising the greatest number of voters doesn't favor Hillary. It favors democracy.


99% perspiration
by DaveOinSF on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 03:59:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sounds great (none / 0)

We can't favor democracy unless Hillary wins the nomination.


by carbocation on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 05:20:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sounds great (none / 0)

This will disenfranchise those who are off the radar - people generally making less than $50,000. Send an email to Wolfson, I'm not sure that you're parroting the proper Clinton talking point. We want to the previous results to stand!


by carbocation on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 05:19:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers Promise $15M For Revot (none / 0)

Who says he's opting out of a re-vote? Hillary didn't want the re-vote because she wanted the original vote to stand. A re-vote is the best option.


by elrod on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 02:38:41 AM EST

Ugh.. (none / 0)

..the argument that they nixed the firehouse primary isn't exactly obvious.   They've denied that.   The disagreement seems to be all about money, as can be witnessed by the fact that everyone is throwing this back and forth like it's a hot potato that'll burn a hole right through their wallet.   From the states to the state parties to the DNC to the candidates and back and around and etc. etc. etc.

The talking points lately are sort of weak.


"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 06:51:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

If Carville pays $15 million (none / 0)

and Rendell and Corzine pay $15 million, all that remains to be raised is Penn's 15% commission.




Democratic Candidate, US Senate, Wisconsin 2012
by benmasel on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 05:47:29 AM EST

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers Promise $15M For Revot (none / 0)




Democratic Candidate, US Senate, Wisconsin 2012
by benmasel on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 05:47:33 AM EST

Great, There's $15M (none / 0)

A vote-by-mail primary in Florida costs about $5M. Michigan caucuses have to be less than $10M.

Fine, done. Book it. Chairman Dean's fax line is open. All the Michigan and Florida state parties have to do is submit their delegate selection plans that comply with the rules. (For example, they cannot exclude people who did not vote in the January beauty contests.) Now would be a good time!

What are they waiting for?


by BBCWatcher on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:20:53 AM EST

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers Promise (2.00 / 1)

Sounds great to me. I feel pretty confident Hillary will keep Florida, and if she loses Michigan... well, then that's just the way it is. I can understand the argument that FL's delegates should be seated, but with Obama's name off the ballot in MI, there's just no way. Best to redo both.

Thanks for posting this. This is a great idea. See, look at that: Hillary's backers have solutions!

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 11:06:28 AM EST

Re: News: 2 Clinton Backers Promise $15M For Revot (2.00 / 2)

A full revote by primary, not the caucus & not "seat the delegates now", is the only way to settle the argument form both sides.  Both Obama & Clinton will have a chance to campaign in FL and MI.

If Clinton offered to pick up half of the tap, Obama should match that or come up with a pretty darn good reason why there shouldn't be a revote.  


by JoeySky18 on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 11:21:55 AM EST


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