(Buchanan, Michigan)
Decision time is finally nearing to ultimately settle the fate of Democratic convention delegates from Michigan and Florida. You'll recall that both states were penalized by the Democratic National Committee for moving their primaries ahead of the February 5 "Super Tuesday." As of now, their delegates are not to be seated. Hillary Clinton won both states and is counting on their delegates as her last, best shot at winning the nomination.
I traveled to Michigan Tuesday to speak with voters and party officials about their hopes for this Saturday's big DNC meeting in Washington, DC. Not only are the primary delegates at stake, but turnout in November could be affected, too.
First stop was the South Berrien County Democratic Club headquarters. That's where I met up with Jess Minks and John Klimek, two active party leaders who are both candidates for the County Commission. Both are busy watching what happens in Washington, DC.
"We want to make sure our votes count," says Minks. "The delegates will be seated when this is over," he believes. Minks theorizes that Barack Obama will have enough committed Super Delegates by this weekend to win the nomination, making the meeting a moot point.
First stop was the South Berrien County Democratic Club headquarters. That's where I met up with Jess Minks and John Klimek, two active party leaders who are both candidates for the County Commission. Both are busy watching what happens in Washington, DC.
"We want to make sure our votes count," says Minks. "The delegates will be seated when this is over," he believes. Minks theorizes that Barack Obama will have enough committed Super Delegates by this weekend to win the nomination, making the meeting a moot point.
Various ideas have been kicked around, including the possibility that each delegate from Michigan and Florida would be counted as only a half-vote. Critics say that violates the principal of "one man,one vote" and could open the door to a legal fight by the Clinton campaign.
The bigger issue to many is what happens in November if Florida and Michigan are not counted. If angry voters stay home in both states, John McCain will likely win the White House. 
John Klimek makes his living as a contractor, and he worries about turning off young voters who turned out in record numbers this year. "The fear is that our children and grandchildren will be disenfranchised," he says. "Those young people, whom we need to step forward in years to come, will say, 'I'm not getting involved.'"
John Klimek makes his living as a contractor, and he worries about turning off young voters who turned out in record numbers this year. "The fear is that our children and grandchildren will be disenfranchised," he says. "Those young people, whom we need to step forward in years to come, will say, 'I'm not getting involved.'"
For Jess Minks, that prospect means only one thing. "The candidates will sit down," he says. "We'll see if Hillary Clinton is vice-president. They'll work this thing out. Neither one of the candidates wants to see the Party split or divided." The concern about a split in the party, though, is well illustrated by an editorial cartoon that hangs on the wall.
Despite Minks's optimism, the phone has been busy at the local Democratic headquarters. One woman called while I was there today, promising never to donate to the party again. She is one of the local voters angry at the national party. Minks, who is a retired coal miner turned political organizer, tried to calm her down and to explain that the situation would be fixed. "She was very upset," he said. "She called the DNC in Washington to find what's going on." He added hopefully, "She'll go back to making donations."
My trip to Michigan was fascinating. Democrats here have an idea which they believe will prevent these fights in the future, through a system of rotating primaries. We'll talk more about that in my next column. Check in at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com
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