Today’s presidential primary means it’s time for Michigan to choose the nation’s next leader. But that process will be difficult this year for the state’s Democratic voters. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is the only major Democratic candidate on Michigan’s ballot after the Democratic National Committee eliminated Michigan’s delegates for moving up its primary to today. The state moved its primary date up this year to have a greater impact in the primary process, said Dominick Quinney, a communications assistant with the Michigan Democratic Party. Although Michigan Democrats might feel slighted this election, Quinney said people need to look long term.
“We saw it as a way of reforming and changing the way Iowa and New Hampshire have a monopoly on the primary date,” he said. “We’re still working through it. This is one of the first steps in reforming the change.”
Not all people are heeding Quinney’s advice.
Mark Grebner, a political consultant with East Lansing-based Practical Political Consulting Inc., said Democrats have a right to be outraged by the Michigan ballot. He said although the state Democratic party thinks they have “achieved all their objectives,” they have actually hurt voters.
“(What people) should mainly do is get mad at the Democratic party,” Grebner said. “This is a mess, this is a fiasco.
“I think the official position of the Democratic party is that this isn’t a mess and that everybody is happy, but that’s not the case. Nobody I’ve talked to is happy.”
Quinney encouraged voters to choose “uncommitted” if their favorite candidate is not on the ballot. Voting “uncommitted” would send a delegate to the convention who would then decide on a presidential candidate.
But that delegate won’t matter, Grebner said. He said the only way Michigan delegates will be seated at the convention is if Michigan’s votes don’t alter the outcome.
“This is kind of a world-class screwup,” Grebner said. “It makes the state Democratic Party look like a collection of clowns.
“I think your average voter would like to vote, that’s all. I don’t think we’re asking for too much. A lot of places let people do that.”
Steven Hertz, a criminal justice senior, won’t participate in the primary for a second straight election — but not because he doesn’t want to.
The state canceled the 2004 primary because President George W. Bush was running unopposed while the Democrats used their own party process in Michigan. In this primary, Hertz said he is left with few choices, so he won’t make any.
“It sucks because unless you’re supporting the Republicans or Hillary, you really don’t have a say,” he said. “I feel that my vote has sort of been stripped from me.”
Not all students share Hertz’s philosophy, though.
Carly Brin, an international relations junior, said she endorses Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and will support him by voting “uncommitted.”
“I feel it’s still important to give your personal opinion on which party you would rather have in the White House at this point,” she said. “I believe voting for everything is important.”
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