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Posted: Tuesday, 18 March 2008 11:36AM

Democratic Re-do Likely Won't Happen



Lansing (WWJ)  -- It's appearing more and more likely there will not be a re-do of the Democratic presidential primary election.  WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports state Senate Democrats came out of a closed door meeting Tuesday morning and said there are not enough votes to approve a re-do.  

Legislative approval is necessary for a re-vote to happen. 

Speaking live on WWJ, Skubick said it would take a "miracle" to have the re-do approved, but he added it's still possible. 

There has been no comment from the Michigan Democratic Party.  A spokesman said they are waiting to see what the legislature does. 

Click here for more on Campaign 08.
 
Legislative leaders reviewed a measure Monday that would set up a do-over primary in Michigan.

The draft legislation included language that would approve spending privately raised funds for the election and setting the date for June 3. 

The Democratic National Committee punished Michigan and Florida for moving up their primaries before Feb. 5, stripping them of all their delegates to the party's national convention this summer in Denver. The two states have been struggling to come up with alternative plans to ensure their delegates are seated.

The campaigns of Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama received copies of the primary election bill Monday. Clinton has said she would go along with another primary, but Obama's campaign has raised some concerns.

"A re-vote is the only way Michigan can be assured its delegation will be seated, and vote in Denver' at the party's national convention this summer, Clinton campaign aide Harold Ickes said Monday.  "If the Obama campaign thwarts a fair election process for the people of Michigan, it will jeopardize the Democratic nominee's ability to carry the state in the general election.''

Joel Ferguson, one of Clinton's Michigan co-chairs, noted that "neither campaign should have veto power'' over a second Democratic primary.

Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor criticized Clinton for trying to change the rules, but didn't rule out a do-over election.

"We received a very complex proposal for Michigan re-vote legislation today and are reviewing it to make sure that any solution for Michigan is fair and practical,'' he said Monday.  "We continue to believe a fair seating of the delegation deserves strong consideration.''


© MMVIII WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
 
 
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