LEVIN, KILPATRICK, GETTELFINGER, DINGELL
March 14, 2008

Statement of Senator Carl Levin (D-MI); Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-13th District); President Ron Gettelfinger, UAW; and DNC Member Debbie Dingell

            We have been working to resolve the question of seating Michigan ’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

            We agree that the Michigan delegation should be seated at the Convention, and without a fight before the Credentials Committee or on the floor of the Convention.

            At this time we are focusing on the possibility of a state-run primary in early June, which would not use any state funding.  This option would require the passage of legislation by the State Legislature, and we look forward to working with the members of the Legislature in the coming days to see if this option can be made a reality.
 

MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
March 14, 2008

The focus of the committee on the possibility of a state run, privately funded primary is a good first step toward resolving the issue of seating a Michigan delegation at the Democratic National Convention.

Several critical steps remain.

These steps include, among others, drafting legislation that is acceptable to the MDP and both the Clinton and Obama campaigns; enacting that legislation into law; preparing a revised delegate selection plan incorporating the legislation; having that plan approved by the MDP Executive Committee and the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee; and raising sufficient funds to pay for the primary.

I will continue to work with all involved to resolve the issue of seating our delegates at the National Convention. Michigan is critical to electing a Democratic president, and electing a Democratic president is critical to Michigan. A McCain presidency would bring four more years of the failed trade and economic policies of the Bush administration that have devastated Michigan’s economy.

HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
March 17, 2008

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy.   If Barack Obama's campaign stands in the way of a new vote, he will be putting his own political interests ahead of the people of Michigan. They deserve to have a voice and a vote in the Democratic Party’s nominating process. A re-vote is the only way Michigan can be assured its delegation will be seated, and vote in Denver.  If the Obama campaign thwarts a fair election process for the people of Michigan, it will jeopardize the Democratic nominee’s ability to carry the state in the general election.”

OBAMA FOR AMERICA
March 17, 2008

MICHIGAN: “Considering the fact that Senator Clinton is currently trying to prevent and delay votes in Texas from being counted because she didn't like the outcome, it's pretty apparent that the Clinton campaign’s views on voting are dependent on their own political interest.  Hillary Clinton herself said in January that the Michigan primary ‘didn’t count for anything.’ Now, she is cynically trying to change the rules at the eleventh hour for her own benefit. We received a very complex proposal for Michigan re-vote legislation today and are reviewing it to make sure that any solution for Michigan is fair and practical.  We continue to believe a fair seating of the delegation deserves strong consideration.”