This is the speech Barack Obama made yesterday in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Michigan Agrees to New Primary
Michigan Democrats tentatively agreed on a plan to hold a new primary on June 3rd. The cost would be covered by the state, but later reimbursed by the Democratic National Committee.
In order to vote, one must identify as a Democrat, and show proof that they did not vote in the January Republican primary. This is a first for Michigan, as voters normally don't need to align with a party at the primary.
Florida is still standing by it's guns, telling the DNC to seat it's delegates and being opposed to any revote.
88 days are left until all contests must be concluded.
In order to vote, one must identify as a Democrat, and show proof that they did not vote in the January Republican primary. This is a first for Michigan, as voters normally don't need to align with a party at the primary.
Florida is still standing by it's guns, telling the DNC to seat it's delegates and being opposed to any revote.
88 days are left until all contests must be concluded.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Florida, Michigan Re-Do Troubles
Since the governors of Florida and Michigan came to the Democratic national Committee last week, telling them to seat their delegates, controversy has raged about what to do about the two states.
Many want to just hold a new election, but that costs money, approximately $20 million in Florida and $10 million in Michigan. Both the states and the DNC has said they refuse to pay for that.
Another issue is starting to rear it's head. By DNC rules, all contests must be finished by June 10th. The Florida Secretary of State has said it would take 90 days since the governor signed off to hold a primary.
June 10th is 92 days away.
Michigan also has a state law that forbids holding a second primary.
Another option that was showing promise was a mail-in vote. Oregon is the only state to do all voting by mail-in ballot. That option would only cost about $6 million in each state. And Michigan was talking to the DNC about splitting that cost.
The Florida House refused to allow a mail-in vote. Saying:
"Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind"
Which leaves only one option in Florida, award the 210 delegates as they were on January 29th. No candidate campaigned in Florida, but Sen. Clinton held a few last-minute fund-raisers.
She won the state with 50% of the vote to Obama's 40%. She also won Michigan with 50% of the vote. 33% chose "Uncommitted" as all major candidates, except Clinton, removed their names from the Michigan ballot in protest to the early primary.
It's hard to say whether Obama would have done any better in Florida, the state having such a large Latino population. Factored in with Obama's loose Cuba policy, and he probably would end up doing worse.
Michigan is a different story, however. Clinton was the only name on the ballot, and they cannot fairly award those delegates to her. With state law prohibiting a new primary of any kind, the only option is a caucus.
Sen. Obama has said that he is worried about a mail-in caucus, saying:
"I think there are some concerns in terms of making sure that whatever we do is fair and that votes are properly counted and the logistics make sense"
A normal caucus would be much cheaper than the $10 million primary, but it would still take time to set-up.
And with the next contest, Pennsylvania, still 6 weeks away; this will be the only major story in the headlines for a long time.
Many want to just hold a new election, but that costs money, approximately $20 million in Florida and $10 million in Michigan. Both the states and the DNC has said they refuse to pay for that.
Another issue is starting to rear it's head. By DNC rules, all contests must be finished by June 10th. The Florida Secretary of State has said it would take 90 days since the governor signed off to hold a primary.
June 10th is 92 days away.
Michigan also has a state law that forbids holding a second primary.
Another option that was showing promise was a mail-in vote. Oregon is the only state to do all voting by mail-in ballot. That option would only cost about $6 million in each state. And Michigan was talking to the DNC about splitting that cost.
The Florida House refused to allow a mail-in vote. Saying:
"Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind"
Which leaves only one option in Florida, award the 210 delegates as they were on January 29th. No candidate campaigned in Florida, but Sen. Clinton held a few last-minute fund-raisers.
She won the state with 50% of the vote to Obama's 40%. She also won Michigan with 50% of the vote. 33% chose "Uncommitted" as all major candidates, except Clinton, removed their names from the Michigan ballot in protest to the early primary.
It's hard to say whether Obama would have done any better in Florida, the state having such a large Latino population. Factored in with Obama's loose Cuba policy, and he probably would end up doing worse.
Michigan is a different story, however. Clinton was the only name on the ballot, and they cannot fairly award those delegates to her. With state law prohibiting a new primary of any kind, the only option is a caucus.
Sen. Obama has said that he is worried about a mail-in caucus, saying:
"I think there are some concerns in terms of making sure that whatever we do is fair and that votes are properly counted and the logistics make sense"
A normal caucus would be much cheaper than the $10 million primary, but it would still take time to set-up.
And with the next contest, Pennsylvania, still 6 weeks away; this will be the only major story in the headlines for a long time.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Mississippi/Texas
Mississippi is currently counting it's votes.
Barack Obama and John McCain are both predicted to win the state.
With 100% reporting for the Democrats, Obama leads 61% to 37% and holds about 256,000 votes. Clinton trails by 100,000 votes.
With the same number of precincts reporting for the GOP, McCain has 113,000 votes to Huckabee's 18,000.
Mississippi has 40 Democratic delegates and 39 Republican ones. 33 Democratic delegates are tied to the primary, while 7 are Superdelegates. 36 of the GOP delegates are pledged, while the other 3 are unpledged.
In other news, the delegates for the March 4th Democratic caucuses in Texas have been awarded. Obama gained 38, while Clinton only won 29.
Barack Obama and John McCain are both predicted to win the state.
With 100% reporting for the Democrats, Obama leads 61% to 37% and holds about 256,000 votes. Clinton trails by 100,000 votes.
With the same number of precincts reporting for the GOP, McCain has 113,000 votes to Huckabee's 18,000.
Mississippi has 40 Democratic delegates and 39 Republican ones. 33 Democratic delegates are tied to the primary, while 7 are Superdelegates. 36 of the GOP delegates are pledged, while the other 3 are unpledged.
In other news, the delegates for the March 4th Democratic caucuses in Texas have been awarded. Obama gained 38, while Clinton only won 29.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to ePoliticker, a new political blog. Originally spawned from posting political analysis on my history teacher's blog, I have decided to bring it to it's own blog.
Don't worry Carlisle, I'll still post it on your blog :P
Don't worry Carlisle, I'll still post it on your blog :P
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