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Clinton has every right to feel however she wants to feel, but she knew the facts of this, and she agreed to them.  Don't tell me you're aggrieved when you signed the pledge agreeing that Florida and Michigan would not count.  If she believed it was wrong, she should've protested back when those states were stripped of their delegates.  She did not.  She signed the pledge.

It's an attempt to gain momentum and delegates.  Of course it is.  And a shameless one.  But there's no dispute here:  It is a fact that it is an attempt to change the rules she agreed to.

It would be wrong, regardless of the winner.  If Obama or Edwards had won and tried to pull this stunt, it'd be equally shameless and ridiculous.  But how is it fair to Obama and Edwards to change the rules after the fact?  They had no chance to sell their campaigns to the people of Florida.  If they'd had a chance to do so, would the results have been the same?  We don't know.  That's the point.

This isn't disenfranchisement.  This is Hillary Clinton changing her position on the rules she agreed to in an effort to stop what she clearly thinks is momentum for Obama.

If you're arguing that Florida should be allowed to have another shot later, allowing the candidates to campaign there, it'd be fine.  Except that Edwards is then screwed in a state he looks quite strong in, at least on paper.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Wed Jan 30th, 2008 at 08:11:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Lets not over egg this pudding.  She called a "victory" rally after it was clear she was going to win - one media event amongst thousands in this campaign - and yes - to try to get back some positive publicity and momentum after a bad week.  If there is an attempt to make the Florida vote count for delegates retrospectively, then of course I agree with you because that would be an attempt to change the rules after the event - and would be absolutely unfair and wrong.  But is there actually a serious attempt to do this - its news to me if there is.  Perhaps some commiseration with the Floridians over their misfortune, perhaps some assurances that their views will be taken into account at convention time, perhaps some playing to the gallery.  But a capital political offence?  We're getting very po faced about politics if this is the height of her crime.  It simply isn't in the same league as preventing real votes being counted in a real election.  She spun it for what it was worth at a media event.  Thats all there is to it.

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Wed Jan 30th, 2008 at 08:25:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
And she's perfectly welcome to have a silly rally over nothing in an effort to gain some momentum.  I don't know how far she's going to take this, but either way I find it shameless.  And you can rest assured that if FL and Michigan can flip the nomination, she'll howl like nothing you've ever heard.

A capital political offense?  Hardly.  (Voting for war with Iraq and Iran?  Yes, but that's another comment.)  I'm simply stating that serious arguments -- and by "serious," I simply mean that they believe what they say -- by Clinton supporters in favor of counting those delegates are based on shameless opportunism, obvious dishonesty and general silliness.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

by Drew J Jones (pedobear@pennstatefootball.com) on Wed Jan 30th, 2008 at 08:47:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
on that we can agree

"It's a mystery to me - the game commences, For the usual fee - plus expenses, Confidential information - it's in my diary..."
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Wed Jan 30th, 2008 at 09:02:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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