You're partially wrong. Obama and Edwards had their names on the ballot, but took them off at the last minute. Obviously there's a big problem with that. But the names were on the ballot in Florida. Of course, nobody campaigned there, so you could say Hillary possibly got the name recognition vote.

These are the votes of fellow Democrats. They should have their proper influence at the convention.

The magic number of 2,025 was calculated after taking out the delegates from MI and FL. Even if the DNC could be convinced to reinstate these delegates, the magic number would have to increase by 1/2 of those seated delegates, I believe the new magic number would be 2,208. Neither candidate would have that number through pledged delegates, and the superdelegates would end up deciding the nominee anyway.

So, what's the point?

Harold Ickes was on the DNC committee that made these rules and all campaigns agreed to them, including the Clinton campaign which he was and is running.

It's simply not fair to change the rules after the game is in progress. If the Clinton folks thought it would be a problem for Hillary they would certainly not be fighting for this. I hope Obama doesn't cave on this one, it's the principle, not just that it might not hurt him.

Michigan and Florida blew it this year, or, the DNC blew it this year, or, they all blew it this year. But, to attempt to fix it on the fly is a serious mistake and will drive a lot of us out of the party.

If it's close and Hillary gets the nomination by forcing the DNC to seat these state delegates I'm done with this party forever and there are a lot of people who feel the same way.

Dudes, with brightstar on your side who needs enemies, eh? lol.

Oh, yeah. Re-vote, definitely. And a primary, not caucus. And Dean should pay for it out of his pocket, hehe. (Just kidding). Actually, the DNC can hold an internet fundraiser with both candidates appearing on the website asking for donations. Shouldn't be much of a problem.

It should be viewed as a mistake made by 2 republican

governors and the democratic voters of Florida and Michigan

should have their votes count. It seems the only fair way to

do this is to have a "do over." Sure, it would be costly,

but think of the amount of money we waste daily on Dick

Cheney's salary and it is a no brainer.

Besides, we know what bad things can happen when the good

folks of Florida do not get their votes counted.

The reason Michigan and Florida went early is they wanted to influence the candidate selection. Isn't it interesting that if they vote last they might have the most influence of all?

Maybe all the Super Tuesday states should rethink their primary date!

The more I think FL and MI need to be told the grown-up equivalent of "tough noogies."

If I tell my 4 year old that he can't have a cookie if he throws his Legos, and then he throws his Legos, I don't go pick up the Legos and hand them back to him and say "ok, here's your cookie, and here's your Legos. Don't throw them again, ok?"

Both candidates should publicly agree to these rules right now to avoid further accusations of "moving the goal posts:"

1. Seat the Florida delegates from the contested primary.

2. Do-over Michigan with a caucus.

3. Agree that superdelegates are not tied to state or district popular vote, given that they are party experts who should keep electability in mind.

Anyone who's been following this mess for months recognizes that there are advantages and disadvantages for each candidate in the above scenario. Money is saved by not doing FL over and by doing caucuses in MI (better for both economical and fairness reasons, since Obama does better in them and she gets FL). The last point is going to happen anyway in my opinion and gives the DNC some leeway into looking at the big picture. Forcing an allegience to state or district vote for superdelegates would also mean going back to the ones who've pledged already and making them align (In my district, Stephanie Tubbs Jones has pledged and worked for Clinton even though her district--and I--are firmly for Obama). It would be a mess to undo all those alliances.

The super-delegates were put in place to deal with just such problems. Now, voters will not let them exercise that control becaue "it's just not fair, boohoo!" I'm getting sick to my stomach and John McCain is looking more and more attractive, thanks in large part to Hillary's attacks--so goes the stomachs of millions of other independents.

I was against the superdelegates before but now they need to rescue the party from self-destruct mode. Each day this fight is extended costs the eventual Democratic nominee countless votes and makes John McCain look all that much more presidential. McCain could turn out to be the luckiest SOB to ever reach the White House. He's got the lucky charms to prove it too.

At the very least, the party leadership should have all the uncommitted superdelegates commit themselves to a candidate, see what the outcome is, and then possibly make a move on ending this thing. I doubt they have the balls to make such a bold move though.

Enough primaries, enough! End this thing now!

They absolutely shouldn't be allowed to re-vote. They were told if they moved their primary their delegates wouldn't be seated, they moved thier primary. Now their delegates aren't going to be seated. They made the choice, these are the consequences.

Hillary Clinton does not stand by her previous statements regarding Michigan and Florida. Hillary Clinton is not a woman of her word. She cannot be trusted to remain consistent in the future with what she has said today. Her devoted followers seem to admire this aspect of her character. I suppose, based on the example of the last 8 years (not to mention the inconsistency of the previous administration, in which she took a large role), it makes her "Presidential."