Responses to March 26, 2008 Michigan Ruling
On Jan. 11, 2008 the ACLU had filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Detroit challenging the constitutionality of the primary law passed by the Michigan legislature in August 2007 because of its provision granting exclusive rights of voter lists to the Democratic and Republican parties.  On March 26, 2008 U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds ruled in favor of the ACLU.  The ruling did not affect the primary outcome, but did prompt statements from the campaigns:

PRESS RELEASE from Hillary Clinton for President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2008
 
press@hillaryclinton.com
 

STATEMENT FROM CAMPAIGN MANAGER MAGGIE WILLIAMS ON NEW VOTE IN MICHIGAN

In the wake of today's court ruling regarding Michigan’s January 15th primary, we urge Senator Obama to join our call for a party-run primary and demonstrate his commitment to counting Michigan's votes.

Senator Clinton has consistently urged that the more that 600,000 votes cast by the people of Michigan be counted and if that is not possible, that a new election be held.

Michigan voters must not be disenfranchised and the Obama campaign must not continue to block Michigan’s efforts to hold a new vote. Rather it should move quickly to announce its support for a party run primary.

Michigan will be a key battleground state in November. Disenfranchising Michigan voters today will, in the heat of a general election, provide Senator McCain with a powerful argument to use against the Democratic nominee. We cannot allow this to happen.

The people of Michigan must be counted and their voices finally heard.   What the people of Michigan need now is just action, not just words.

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STATEMENT from Obama for America
Mar 26, 2008

PLOUFFE RESPONSE TO MI RULING

“As we’ve said consistently, we think there should be a fair seating of the Michigan delegates.  The Clinton campaign has stubbornly said they see no need to negotiate, but we believe that their Washington, my-way-or-the-highway approach is something voters are tired of,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

 

Background:  [The Clinton campaign] appeared to say no to what some see as a solution—negotiations between the two campaigns to reach a compromise.  Obama has hinted he’d be willing to negotiate.  “We don’t see any need for that,” Ickes said, saying the votes already cast should be counted or new votes should be held. [Tampa Bay Tribune, 3/25/08]  LINK