Democratic party darling Barack Obama announced this week he's visiting Michigan and Florida, two states whose Democratic primaries didn't count because the states held their contests earlier than Democrats would have liked.
Is this evidence that Obama is moving onto the general election, or a tacit acknowledgment that the Democrats will probably seat the two states' delegates after all?
Hillary Clinton won both states, but even if the delegates are sat for the convention, she's got a mountain to climb if she wants to be in the top spot on November's ballot.
Either way, Democrats outta do something about those two states, especially if they want to win them in November. Think about it? If you were a Michigan or Florida voter -- especially a swing voter who pulled Democrat in the primary to vote for either the first female or first viable black candidate -- would you still support the donkeys who didn't let your vote count?
If history is any indication, both states are uber important on the road to Pennsylvania Avenue. Somebody needs to tell that to the Democrats ASAP.
Patrick Ferrell, is a staff reporter for The Herald News in Joliet. and the Sun Times News Group. Patrick covers education and politics. When he’s not ranting about something, Patrick can usually be found watching a race or careening down a ski slope. He resides in Will County with his wife, Laura, and the couple’s Portuguese water dog, Oscar, and bloodhound named Duke.
The people who claim to want to represent you are willing to throw out your votes! Right here in the USA! I feel the citizens of every state need to be mindful of who is on the side of "those votes don't count". Their names would be very scary on a ballot for any elected office. (I bet some of them are already in office, YIKES) Today a primary, tomorrow a general election? That's a slippery slope! I don't want them deciding my vote won't count!
No, they will not get my support.
Obama should have been visiting Florida all along if he expects to be the nominee and win in November. Look at who has been voting for him, not old people (who, historically, ALWAYS turn out in the general election). Hillary has been getting somewhere around 70% of the old people vote. If Florida and Michigan voters were disenfranchised for moving up their primaries, then so should the state of Illinois. This is the first time ever that Illinois held a primary in February (in 2004 it was March 5). Why weren't Illinoisians punished accordingly?
You'll remember that when Illinois moved its primary up, the Democratic power brokers in the legislature said it was specifically to help the Illinois son who is Obama.