Michigan Democrats Become Totally Irrelevant Nationally

[jimlup]

The coming primary is a disgrace. We've moved from "less than important" to "completely disregarded". I feel certain that the Michigan delegates will not be "seated" at the convention unless the nominee decision is already assured. I'm really pissed at both the national and state party organizations that have left things in this sorry situation!

The MSM coverage tonight completely ignores the Michigan primary. The party screwed up.

[Purveyor]

1. This can only hurt the DEM candidate in Nov. The GOP is currently dominating the airways

with ads and personal visit.

Hell, we even have McCain trolling around our city tomorrow.

[knitter4democracy]

2. Even with lots of effort on our part, our state will probably go red.

I'm just sick about it. What a huge fuck-up of massive proportions. I can't even think of voting for Levin again.

[PassingFair]

5. Why would our state go red?

If Granholm can win against DeVos,

Clinton or Obama or Edwards can win
against Romney or McCain or Huckabee....

[knitter4democracy]

7. DeVos didn't have the support of rank and file Republicans. McCain does.

McCain's well-loved by most Republicans I know here in SouthCentral and SouthWest Michigan, even though he's a putz for letting Bush kick him around like he does.

In 2004, only four counties, if I remember right, were blue--the rest of the state went red. That was after DFA built up groups in counties that didn't even have a local Dem party and local DFAers were working their butts off. Granholm didn't carry the ticket at all, either. None of the other big-name Dems won, and our state senate numbers weren't good, either. She won because of her charisma, her economic plan that she seems to have chucked, and because DeVos just didn't have the rank and file Republicans sold on how great he was.

McCain or Huckabee would be hard to beat on this side of the state, even with someone like Edwards. Our nominee's starting in the hole--no ads, no signs, not enough press, no fundraising, no delegates coming home pumped up and ready to knock on doors and phonebank. That's really bad.

[PassingFair]

8. No offense to the nominee.

But Kerry took Michigan in the last election.

If he can win here, this year's crop can beat
whatever the 'pukes put up.

Democrats were pumped in 04, they are even MORE
anxious to oust republicans this time around.

The eventual candidate will be here to campaign
in the actual election...

[knitter4democracy]

10. I phonebanked in Kalamazoo, and it was hard.

We won Kalamazoo county, but we lost Calhoun County, which is more Dem than K'Zoo with many more union votes. Kerry barely won and didn't win over most of the state--and that was against a known problem, a president known to be a failure in a war that's hitting Michigan's rural communities hard.

It's going to take more money than usual, more work than usual, and more campaign stops than usual to turn Michigan blue this year.

[PassingFair]

11. I agree we will need to fight.

I just don't think these 5 or so days in January
will make that much of a difference.

I realize you are inundated on your side of the state.

But then again, you're in DEVOS territory!

[knitter4democracy]

15. Ugh. We're close enough, that's for sure.

In Battle Creek, we're on the line. DeVos is crazy, and I'm so tired of hearing about that family on the news, so I don't watch the local news anymore.

[Strawman]

3. It's sad. Other states are showing record turnout for the Dem primaries and caucuses

and we won't for our beauty contest. We should have just scheduled it for Super Tuesday.

Big shooters supporting specific candidates tried to play games to rig the outcome in their favor and it's just going to hurt efforts to mobilize Democrats in November. No matter who the nominee is they are getting off to a slow start now.

It sucks. Are the Republicans going to seat MI delegates? Are all of the major Republican candidates on the ballot? I confess ignorance regarding what they are doing. But it appears the media is definitely treating the Republican contest in MI as if something is at stake (Romney's candidacy) and all the ad buys are going to be Republican. They get first crack at independents and swing voters. Really smart, guys.

[PassingFair]

4. This is OUR primary.

Not the general election...

I can't imagine a scenario where the 'pukes would
seat DEM primary delegates at THEIR convention....

[Strawman]

12. Neither can I

I was wondering how the Republicans were punishing their MI deldgates for jumping ahead on the calendar.

Jimlup answered it below. I guess they get 1/2 their delegation. I will also read madfloridian's journal for the lowdown on the entire fiasco. Thanks :hi:

[PassingFair]

14. Sorry, Strawman.

Just realized I misread your question. :blush:

Madfloridian's journal is a must-read, though,
for archived info on the front loading situation.

Dem leaders here keep insisting delegates WILL be
seated at the convention every time they talk to
us....

It's so effed up, it will hardly be considered
"representative" by the time the dust clears...

:hi:

[jimlup]

6. repuks will give the michigan delegation 1/2 their normal vote

So we're totally disenfrancised and the repuks are 1/2 disenfranchised.

[PassingFair]

9. THAT'S why they pushed it so hard in Florida.

I STRONGLY suggest that people read Madfloridian's Journal for
an IN-DEPTH analysis and coverage of the "me-first" primary fiasco, started
by the crafty Floridian 'pukes and their BARELY democratic counterparts.

Michigan piggybacked when they saw a chance to stack the deck
for a DLC "juggernaut" of Clinton invincibility.

HOW'S THAT GOING FOR YA, NEW DEMS?

(Something went awry in Iowa, I fear, and Mr. Vilsack
will never get his just reward) :cry:

[skipos]

13. I am voting UNCOMMITED. Edwards, Obama, Richardson, Biden supporters should do the same. nt

[TahitiNut]

16. No way in hell I'll vote "uncommitted." I don't write blank checks and don't give proxies.

I'll vote for Kucinich. If I wasn't supporting Kucinich, I'd vote Dodd - ANYTHING but Clinton or "uncommitted."

[skipos]

17. You and your rant follow me around so let me be clear

The dozen or so supporters of Kucinich, Dodd or Gravel should not vote UNCOMMITTED, since those candidates are on the ballot.
Anyone who supports Edwards, Biden, Richardson and Obama should vote UNCOMMITTED, since those candidates are not on the ballot, and write-ins won't be recognized.

[PassingFair]

18. Zoinks!

I don't think you guys really disagree with each other.

:hugs:

Both votes will work as a show against
corporate control of the party.

[jimlup]

19. I'm waffling...

I can't decide if I should vote for Kucinich and allow myself to be disenfanchised.

OR... If I should cross-over and vote Ron Paul in order to stir up as much antiwar trouble as possible. If Ron Paul "won" the michigan primary that would throw the repuks into a tizzy. Unfortuantely, I don't think this is a realistic possiblility so...

Right now I'm leaning towards Kucinich since he does really represent my views. But I'm frustrated as HELL with the national and state democratic parties. Damn them! If the Michigan primary counted and all were running, I'ed vote Edwards because I believe he still has a chance nationally.

[skipos]

20. UNCOMMITTED is as close as you can get to voting for Edwards, Obama, etc imo.

That's why I am voting uncommited. Kucinich will get his few percents, but a lot of uncommited voters says even though Hillary is the only frontrunner on the ballot, we still don't want her.

[motorcity]

21. I will vote uncommitted.

It seems like the best choice for me.

[GigiMommy]

22. I am voting UNCOMMITTED...

but I don't like it.

[SharonRB]

23. Same here, Gigi

I'd much rather be voting for an actual person.

[Purveyor]

24. I know of at least 4 uncommitted votes to come from my family circle.

2 absentee ballots mailed yesterday. 2 will vote in person tomorrow.

It is a crying shame that the rethugs are dominating the airways with their ads and getting all of the media attention.

This can only hurt us in Nov. Michigan could very well go 'red' for the first time since 1988.

[GigiMommy]

25. GOSH I HOPE NOT...

but you're right, it doesn't help that we constantly see their ads. I have one member of my family voting uncommitted by absentee ballot also.