You may have been discouraged to hear yesterday that the FDA gave the green light for companies to sell meat from cloned animals. The real news? It has probably already been on our shelves for years.
For years, the FDA has asked major cattle cloning companies to keep their products off the market. For years, they've ignored. One Kansas farmer has already come forward and admitted to openly selling semen from prize-winning clones to U.S. meat producers, while another cattleman says that, "This is a fairy tale that this technology is not being used and is not already in the food chain." This is unacceptable. That's why TrueMajorityAction is demanding that Congress pass a law requiring that all products from cloned animals be clearly labeled.
Tell Congress: Cloned animal products should be clearly labeled.
http://act.truemajorityaction.org/t/50/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1222
Wednesday, January 16
Tell Congress: We Want Labels on Cloned Meat
From the good folks at True Majority
John Edwards: Viva Nevada!
From CBS
He also has some new commercials out for South Carolina that are on Newsweek's website.
John Edwards touched down in Las Vegas this afternoon for tonight's MSNBC debate and stopped by a local Egg and I restaurant to greet patrons and supporters.
Edwards was asked by reporters if it was acceptable, as the Iraqi defense minister suggested, for U.S. troops to remain inside Iraq until 2018.
"No, it's not acceptable," he said.
"We can't let the Iraqis determine what America's policy should be. I mean that's the responsibility of the President of the United States. And I've said it many times, I'll say it again: The first year that I'm president, I will get all combat troops out of Iraq, end combat missions and make certain there are no permanent military bases in Iraq."
Edwards also addressed the SEIU and Culinary Union endorsements for Obama, which was widely seen as a blow to the former North Carolina senator, who earned SEIU endorsements in several other states.
"They're both great unions," said Edwards. "I think what we know about union endorsements is they work hard for you. All of us candidates are proud to have their support. I think the union support is relatively evenly divided here in Nevada. I've got Carpenters and Steelworkers and Transit Workers. They'll work hard for me."
He also has some new commercials out for South Carolina that are on Newsweek's website.
Freedom Isn't Free, Particularly in China
Live Free or Not!
The AP reports that while 64% of the world's population lives in relative freedom, the rest--not so much.
See the Freedom Map here.
The AP reports that while 64% of the world's population lives in relative freedom, the rest--not so much.
Freedom declined in 2007 for a second consecutive year as 36 percent of the people in the world — about half of them in China — were not living in freedom, according to a survey by a private democracy watchdog organization.
Nearly four times as many countries showed significant declines during the year as registered improvements, the New York-based Freedom House reported. While the number of countries judged not free declined by two to 43 last year "there were many and overwhelmingly negative changes within countries already designated not free," the survey found.
The number of countries judged free stood at 90, representing 47 percent of the world's 193 countries, and those considered partly free stood at 60, or 31 percent.
Those found not free accounted for nearly 2.4 billion people, about half of them living in China.
Expectations of government concessions on human rights or modest democratic reforms in advance of the 2008 Summer Olympics did not pan out in China, where the regime continued to crack down on political activists, Internet journalists and human rights lawyers, the report said.
Reversals in freedom were seen in one-fifth of the world's countries, including Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria and Venezuela. One country, Mauritania, joined the list of democracies, while three, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Kenya, dropped off it.
Two countries, Thailand and Togo, were upgraded from not free to partly free.
South Asia, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East did particularly poorly, giving "an alarming signal about the development of freedom worldwide, something formerly viewed as inevitable," said Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House.
See the Freedom Map here.
Romney Wins in "Mitt"-chigan, Clinton Beats Uncommitted
Fave Son Mitt Romney won the Michigan Republican primary with 39% of the vote, beating out the Come Mac Kid, John McCain by 9% despite crossover voters going strongly to McCain. Mike Huckabee came in a distant third with 16% and Ron Paul with 5% bested Rudolph Giuliani who took a pass on the state.
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton beat Uncommitted 55% to 40%, with Dennis Kucinich coming in 3rd with 4% of the vote, his best showing in the primaries to date.
On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton beat Uncommitted 55% to 40%, with Dennis Kucinich coming in 3rd with 4% of the vote, his best showing in the primaries to date.
Tuesday, January 15
Democrats in Michigan: Shape Shifters
With the Democratic primary in Michigan basically a meaningless exercise, will moderate Dems vote in the Republican primary with the goal to impact the outcome of the national race?
John McCain is counting on Independents and DINOS to help his Straight Talk Express chug along and put the big hurt on native son, Mitt Romney. Of course there is no guarantee that Dems will bother to go to the polls, but imagine the impact if they could have if they do?
"Ron Paul Scores Upset Victory in Michigan Primary"...it could happen.
John McCain is counting on Independents and DINOS to help his Straight Talk Express chug along and put the big hurt on native son, Mitt Romney. Of course there is no guarantee that Dems will bother to go to the polls, but imagine the impact if they could have if they do?
"Ron Paul Scores Upset Victory in Michigan Primary"...it could happen.
Meat: Cloned on the Range
Soon beef, pork and more from cloned animals will be making its way into the food supply. The FDA says its safe, but really?
CNN reports
Food from healthy clones of cattle, swine and goats is as safe as food from non-cloned animals, the Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Tuesday.
Debate has raged around food products from cloned cattle, such as this one produced by the company Viagen.
"Extensive evaluation of the available data has not identified any subtle hazards that might indicate food-consumption risks in healthy clones of cattle, swine, or goats," the 968-page "final risk assessment" concluded.
"Thus, edible products from healthy clones that meet existing requirements for meat and milk in commerce pose no increased food consumption risk(s) relative to comparable products from sexually-derived animals."
But the FDA said it needs more information to determine the safety of meat and milk from cloned sheep. The FDA also concluded that food from newborn cattle clones "may pose some very limited human food consumption risk."
CNN reports
Food from healthy clones of cattle, swine and goats is as safe as food from non-cloned animals, the Food and Drug Administration said in a report released Tuesday.
Debate has raged around food products from cloned cattle, such as this one produced by the company Viagen.
"Extensive evaluation of the available data has not identified any subtle hazards that might indicate food-consumption risks in healthy clones of cattle, swine, or goats," the 968-page "final risk assessment" concluded.
"Thus, edible products from healthy clones that meet existing requirements for meat and milk in commerce pose no increased food consumption risk(s) relative to comparable products from sexually-derived animals."
But the FDA said it needs more information to determine the safety of meat and milk from cloned sheep. The FDA also concluded that food from newborn cattle clones "may pose some very limited human food consumption risk."
Eliminating the Electoral College?
Why do we still have an electoral college? As we saw in 2000, the electoral college ignores the will of the people. Yet every time politicians say they'll get rid of it, it rarely happens.
As of today, only Maryland has agreed to deliver the state's 10 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote by law. On Sunday, New Jersey became the second state to enter a compact that would eliminate the Electoral College's power to choose a president if enough states endorse the idea.
If even a handful of states did this, it would, in effect, avoid letting a larger state decide the outcome of the election. For instance, in 2000, George Bush won the election with 271 electoral delegates to Al Gore's 266, despite Gore winning the popular vote by 542,000 votes. In this example, both Maryland and New Jersey were won by Gore and therefore would have had no impact on the election. However, if New Hampshire (where the popular vote was 273,559 for Bush and 266,348 for Gore), for example, had awarded its 4 delegates based on national popular vote, Gore would have won the election.
It's hard to imagine calling us the "United" States when clearly electing national leaders is anything but uniting.
As of today, only Maryland has agreed to deliver the state's 10 electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote by law. On Sunday, New Jersey became the second state to enter a compact that would eliminate the Electoral College's power to choose a president if enough states endorse the idea.
If even a handful of states did this, it would, in effect, avoid letting a larger state decide the outcome of the election. For instance, in 2000, George Bush won the election with 271 electoral delegates to Al Gore's 266, despite Gore winning the popular vote by 542,000 votes. In this example, both Maryland and New Jersey were won by Gore and therefore would have had no impact on the election. However, if New Hampshire (where the popular vote was 273,559 for Bush and 266,348 for Gore), for example, had awarded its 4 delegates based on national popular vote, Gore would have won the election.
It's hard to imagine calling us the "United" States when clearly electing national leaders is anything but uniting.
Delegate Counts: Counting the Chickens Before They Hatch
Here's an interesting editorial that makes the point that the chickens are too often counted before they are hatched. If you have a few bucks, help Truthout continue to deliver the news that the mass media often neglects.
The Real Delegate Count
By Scott Galindez
t r u t h o u t | Perspective
Barack Obama 9
Hillary Clinton 9
John Edwards 4
The Associated Press and other media outlets are trying to tell us they know how many delegates each candidate will get out of Iowa, just as I told you they would in a previous article. Florida and Michigan make the delegate count even more confusing.
David Redlawsk, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, who teaches a course on the Iowa caucuses, confirmed the numbers the media is projecting for Iowa delegate allocation is nothing more than a prediction. He said it bothers him the media is reporting these numbers as if they are factual since it is very unlikely the final count will be the same after the district level conventions, where delegates to the national convention will be chosen. He also pointed out the super delegate count could also change dramatically since none of them are committed to remain with the candidates they now say they are supporting.
The Associated Press is reporting: "In the overall race for the nomination, Clinton leads with 187 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as super delegates. She is followed by Obama with 89 delegates and Edwards with 50."
While there is some truth to this, the "super delegates," like the Iowa county convention delegates, (which was all that was decided in Iowa), can change their minds anytime they want.
For example, Senator Kerry endorsed Obama yesterday, but if Hillary Clinton starts running the table, he will likely vote for Clinton at the convention to show party unity.
If the race remains neck and neck the super delegates could decide it. That is a scenario that favors Hillary, since she has the establishment Democrats on her side.
More
The Real Delegate Count
By Scott Galindez
t r u t h o u t | Perspective
Barack Obama 9
Hillary Clinton 9
John Edwards 4
The Associated Press and other media outlets are trying to tell us they know how many delegates each candidate will get out of Iowa, just as I told you they would in a previous article. Florida and Michigan make the delegate count even more confusing.
David Redlawsk, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, who teaches a course on the Iowa caucuses, confirmed the numbers the media is projecting for Iowa delegate allocation is nothing more than a prediction. He said it bothers him the media is reporting these numbers as if they are factual since it is very unlikely the final count will be the same after the district level conventions, where delegates to the national convention will be chosen. He also pointed out the super delegate count could also change dramatically since none of them are committed to remain with the candidates they now say they are supporting.
The Associated Press is reporting: "In the overall race for the nomination, Clinton leads with 187 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as super delegates. She is followed by Obama with 89 delegates and Edwards with 50."
While there is some truth to this, the "super delegates," like the Iowa county convention delegates, (which was all that was decided in Iowa), can change their minds anytime they want.
For example, Senator Kerry endorsed Obama yesterday, but if Hillary Clinton starts running the table, he will likely vote for Clinton at the convention to show party unity.
If the race remains neck and neck the super delegates could decide it. That is a scenario that favors Hillary, since she has the establishment Democrats on her side.
More
Monday, January 14
Note to Michelle Obama
Speaking in Atlanta yesterday, Michelle Obama was quoted as saying about her husband's win in the Iowa caucuses, "We had a miraculous victory in Iowa. Ain't no black people in Iowa! Something big, something new is happening. Let's build the future we all know is possible. Let's show our kids that America is ready for Barack Obama right now."
In fairness, 2.5% of Iowa's population is African American.
In fairness, 2.5% of Iowa's population is African American.
Half Court Press: Edwards Now Odd Man Out
The media has done a wonderful job of covering John Edwards since Iowa--NOT!--So says FAIR.
As many of the lesser supported candidates in Iowa experienced, if you are not number 1 or 2, you are not in the conversation.
And, in the hurry to move the conversation from three top candidates to a race to coronate Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, there is no room for a third.
The highlight of the Q & A peiod in South Carolina was when Edwards was asked about why he doesn't get as much media coverage as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
"I've been trying that for a year and it hasn't worked yet," said an exasperated Edwards. "It's a tough challenge, you know."
He then pointed to the media. "There they are," he said. "Talk to them."
The Project for Excellence in Media reported that from the git go, Edwards has received much less coverage than the media-driven machines that HRC and BHO have put together.
Is it because he challenges the corporations that hold the keys to the executive washrooms for major media? That certainly can be seen as one story line. More likely, media will ignore him unless he wins a highly touted primary.
Edward's Campaign senior advisor, Joe Trippi said "The more the press continues to focus on these two people [Obama and Clinton] and how its all about them, the rest of the country is saying please tell us there is somebody else," Trippi said.
As many of the lesser supported candidates in Iowa experienced, if you are not number 1 or 2, you are not in the conversation.
And, in the hurry to move the conversation from three top candidates to a race to coronate Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, there is no room for a third.
The highlight of the Q & A peiod in South Carolina was when Edwards was asked about why he doesn't get as much media coverage as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
"I've been trying that for a year and it hasn't worked yet," said an exasperated Edwards. "It's a tough challenge, you know."
He then pointed to the media. "There they are," he said. "Talk to them."
The Project for Excellence in Media reported that from the git go, Edwards has received much less coverage than the media-driven machines that HRC and BHO have put together.
Is it because he challenges the corporations that hold the keys to the executive washrooms for major media? That certainly can be seen as one story line. More likely, media will ignore him unless he wins a highly touted primary.
Edward's Campaign senior advisor, Joe Trippi said "The more the press continues to focus on these two people [Obama and Clinton] and how its all about them, the rest of the country is saying please tell us there is somebody else," Trippi said.
Going from Native Son to "Nevada's Sun"?
While he is running a distant third in South Carolina, a new poll out in Nevada today by the Reno Gazette-Journal, shows John Edwards locked in a much tighter race in that state than in South Carolina. Accounting for the margin of error of 4.5 percent, the poll shows that race is a dead heat, with Barack Obama with 32 percent, Hillary Clinton at 30 percent, and Edwards at 27 percent.
MSNBC reports that Edwards has 75 new staffers in Nevada brought in from Iowa.
"What I know is that we're very well-organized," Edwards told reporters covering his town hall here in South Carolina. "We've got people there who know what they're doing. They moved there from Iowa, and I think most importantly my message of standing up for the middle class against entrenched moneyed interests and fighting for the middle class is one that'll work."
Edwards' strong anti-corporate, pro-worker populist message has made him the preferred candidate for many labor unions and therefore may help him score an upset in a state that was thought to be Hillary Clinton's last month.
MSNBC reports that Edwards has 75 new staffers in Nevada brought in from Iowa.
"What I know is that we're very well-organized," Edwards told reporters covering his town hall here in South Carolina. "We've got people there who know what they're doing. They moved there from Iowa, and I think most importantly my message of standing up for the middle class against entrenched moneyed interests and fighting for the middle class is one that'll work."
Edwards' strong anti-corporate, pro-worker populist message has made him the preferred candidate for many labor unions and therefore may help him score an upset in a state that was thought to be Hillary Clinton's last month.
Fallon to Face Off Against Boswell
I leave town for a weekend and lo and behold...
Over in the Iowa 3rd district, Gubernatorial candidate and former state representative Ed Fallon has announce that he will run against entrenched incumbant Leornard Boswell for his seat. Below is Fallon's announcement.
Over in the Iowa 3rd district, Gubernatorial candidate and former state representative Ed Fallon has announce that he will run against entrenched incumbant Leornard Boswell for his seat. Below is Fallon's announcement.
As some of you know, I’ve decided to run for Congress. Lynn and I will continue to publish I’M for Iowa updates and maintain the I’M for Iowa website. Through those tools, we’ll encourage your involvement with key state issues, including campaign finance reform, hog confinements, climate change, eminent domain, health care, and improving the integrity of our voting system.
Through my congressional campaign organization, I’ll share with you once each week an update on how the campaign is unfolding. (Please let me know if you do not want to receive that update.)
Last summer, after much thought, I decided I could best make a difference in the world as a member of Congress. In 2006, Americans said they were tired of Bush’s policies, so we elected a Democratic Congress. Yet on key issues, congressional Democrats have let America down. Simply stated, too many of them, including Leonard Boswell, vote too often with President Bush and against the priorities of the American people.
As the Iowa Caucuses made abundantly clear, people are ready for change. While Leonard Boswell is an honorable man who has served with dignity, I feel his positions on many key issues are wrong.
Boswell accepts donations from PACs and lobbyists. Of the $600,167 he raised between February and September 2007, 73% came from PACs. During my 14 years as a state representative and when I ran for governor, I refused donations from PACs and lobbyists and won’t accept them in my congressional campaign either.
In 2003, he voted for the Iraq War and has continued to support additional funding with no timetable to bring the troops home. I opposed Bush’s war from the start and believe we need a more diplomatic approach to foreign policy, not just in Iraq but throughout the Middle East.
In 2005, Boswell voted to provide $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives for oil and gas companies. He also supports greater use of coal. I have been a leader in the fight against government handouts to big business. I support a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and have helped lead efforts in Iowa to fight global warming.
Boswell voted for No Child Left Behind. I have always spoken against this unfunded, ineffective mandate, and believe NCLB should be repealed, or at a minimum severely overhauled.
Boswell supported the Patriot Act, and in August 2007, voted for a bill to increase unwarranted surveillance on the American people. Iowa’s other Democratic Congressmen, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, voted against it. I have a long track record of fighting for civil rights and personal liberties.
In November 2007, Boswell joined Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham – both Republicans – to vote for a NAFTA-like trade agreement with Peru. I am a vocal opponent of NAFTA and other so-called “free” trade agreements and believe in fair trade that protects American jobs, our environment, and workers’ safety.
I’m ready to take on the corporate interests who have corrupted our federal government. I’m ready to give working families and the poor a voice in national politics. I’m ready to do what I can to see that environmental issues are taken seriously inside the beltway. I’m ready to apply what I’ve learned during 23 years of public service in Iowa and be a part of the solution in Washington.
Thank you for your interest, and if you’d like to contact our campaign team, we can be reached at fallon@fallonforcongress.com, (515) 277-0424, or 2715 Cottage Grove Avenue, Des Moines 50311.
Sunday, January 13
Voices for the Voiceless
Mona Shaw from the Des Moines Catholic Worker House and the School for Moral Courage passed this my way from the Washington Post.
More than 24 hours after he was arrested while kneeling on the steps of the Supreme Court in an orange prisoner jumpsuit and a hood, Tim Nolan stood before a judge yesterday in D.C. Superior Court Room 202 and said the word he'd come to Washington to say:
"Fazaldad."
Nolan, of Asheville, N.C., was one of 75 people arrested Friday -- the sixth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military prison -- for illegally protesting at the Supreme Court. Sixty-seven members of the group were held until late yesterday, most because they wouldn't give their real names and instead identified themselves by the names of Guantanamo detainees.
As the protesters were led, one after the other, before Judge Robert I. Richter to be charged, all stated their real names and added, "I am here on behalf of . . ." -- then named one of the 275 suspected terrorists held at the U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba. More
More than 24 hours after he was arrested while kneeling on the steps of the Supreme Court in an orange prisoner jumpsuit and a hood, Tim Nolan stood before a judge yesterday in D.C. Superior Court Room 202 and said the word he'd come to Washington to say:
"Fazaldad."
Nolan, of Asheville, N.C., was one of 75 people arrested Friday -- the sixth anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military prison -- for illegally protesting at the Supreme Court. Sixty-seven members of the group were held until late yesterday, most because they wouldn't give their real names and instead identified themselves by the names of Guantanamo detainees.
As the protesters were led, one after the other, before Judge Robert I. Richter to be charged, all stated their real names and added, "I am here on behalf of . . ." -- then named one of the 275 suspected terrorists held at the U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba. More
Thursday, January 10
Poverty on the Rise in Iowa
More than 308,000 Iowans were living in poverty in 2005, up about 30 percent from five years earlier, according to new estimates released in January 2008 by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Johnson County saw the second largest percentage increases of poor populations in Iowa during the first five years of the decade. Story County led all counties with an 114% growth in persons living in poverty from 2000 to 2005.
Johnson County
2005 Poverty Estimate (All Ages): 18,229
2005 Percent in Poverty (All Ages): %16.8
2000 Poverty Estimate (All ages) 9,303
2000 Percent in poverty (All Ages): %8.8
Percent Difference from 2000 to 2005: %90.91
2005 Child Poverty (Under 18): 2,510
Percent Children in Poverty 2005 (Under 18): 12
2000 Child Poverty (Under 18): 1,977
Percent Children in Poverty 2000 (Under 18): 9
Estimated 2005 Median Household Income: $44,466
Estimated 2000 Median Household Income: $42,827
Johnson County saw the second largest percentage increases of poor populations in Iowa during the first five years of the decade. Story County led all counties with an 114% growth in persons living in poverty from 2000 to 2005.
Johnson County
2005 Poverty Estimate (All Ages): 18,229
2005 Percent in Poverty (All Ages): %16.8
2000 Poverty Estimate (All ages) 9,303
2000 Percent in poverty (All Ages): %8.8
Percent Difference from 2000 to 2005: %90.91
2005 Child Poverty (Under 18): 2,510
Percent Children in Poverty 2005 (Under 18): 12
2000 Child Poverty (Under 18): 1,977
Percent Children in Poverty 2000 (Under 18): 9
Estimated 2005 Median Household Income: $44,466
Estimated 2000 Median Household Income: $42,827
George McGovern Calls For Bush/Cheney Impeachment
From George McGovern's Sunday 1/6/08 Washington Post Op-Ed "Why I Believe Bush Must Go: Nixon Was Bad. These Guys Are Worse."
As we enter the eighth year of the Bush-Cheney administration, I have belatedly and painfully concluded that the only honorable course for me is to urge the impeachment of the president and the vice president.
After the 1972 presidential election, I stood clear of calls to impeach President Richard M. Nixon for his misconduct during the campaign. I thought that my joining the impeachment effort would be seen as an expression of personal vengeance toward the president who had defeated me.
Today I have made a different choice.
Of course, there seems to be little bipartisan support for impeachment. The political scene is marked by narrow and sometimes superficial partisanship, especially among Republicans, and a lack of courage and statesmanship on the part of too many Democratic politicians. So the chances of a bipartisan impeachment and conviction are not promising.
But what are the facts? Go to the WP for more
As we enter the eighth year of the Bush-Cheney administration, I have belatedly and painfully concluded that the only honorable course for me is to urge the impeachment of the president and the vice president.
After the 1972 presidential election, I stood clear of calls to impeach President Richard M. Nixon for his misconduct during the campaign. I thought that my joining the impeachment effort would be seen as an expression of personal vengeance toward the president who had defeated me.
Today I have made a different choice.
Of course, there seems to be little bipartisan support for impeachment. The political scene is marked by narrow and sometimes superficial partisanship, especially among Republicans, and a lack of courage and statesmanship on the part of too many Democratic politicians. So the chances of a bipartisan impeachment and conviction are not promising.
But what are the facts? Go to the WP for more
More Casualties in Iraq
The Gulf News reports:
Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new offensive to root out Al Qaida in Iraq, the US military reported.
The campaign's scope is focused on gaining control of Diyala and its city of Baqouba, which Al Qaida has declared as its capital.
Six US soldiers were killed and four were wounded Wednesday in a booby-trapped house in Diyala, while three soldiers were killed in an attack in Salahuddin, north of Diyala.
When asked about the deaths, US Major General Mark Hertling blamed it on failing operational security in Iraq. "I'm sure there is active leaking of communication," he said.
The latest deaths bring the total number of American soldiers killed since the 2003 US-led invasion to 3,921, according to an AFP tally based on independent website www.icasualties.org figures.
Non-immunity for Telecoms Should Be #1 Priority For New Year
Something funny here. Watch both of these.
Michigan Dem Voters Encouraged to Play Coy
CNN reports:
But for those Michiganders who want to vote for someone who is campaigning (and can forgive him from being from Ohio)
Democratic leaders in Michigan are urging supporters of John Edwards and Barack Obama, who are not on the ballot in the state, to vote “uncommitted” in the January 15 primary – a move that could create an unexpected headache for Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Clinton is the only major presidential candidate who did not pull her name from the Michigan ballot after the national party penalized the state for scheduling the vote in mid-January, rather than later in the cycle.
None of the candidates, including Clinton, will be campaigning here, and none have authorized write-in campaigns – which means that, under state law, their supporters cannot cast write-in votes for any of them.
But if at least 15 percent of the voters in a congressional district opt for the “uncommitted” option rather than voting for Clinton, delegates not bound to any candidate could attend the national convention – a development that could allow Edwards or Obama supporters to play a role in candidate selection there.
In this cycle, more than in recent campaigns, the delegate count may prove important. Narrow losses – which still add to a candidate’s delegate total – could keep more than one presidential hopeful in contention. “For the first time since 1988, this is a delegate race,” Clinton aide Howard Wolfson told reporters Wednesday.
But for those Michiganders who want to vote for someone who is campaigning (and can forgive him from being from Ohio)
Edwards Back on Native Soil: The Next Comeback Kid?
John Edwards has acknowledged South Carolina's significance to changing the direction of his campaign.
"The South Carolina primary is enormously important because it's the first time we've had a primary in the South, the first time we've had a primary that has a large African American population," he said. "So I think it's a place that's a good test for all three of us."
Although he won the primary in 2004, he is well behind both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the polls this time around.
According to Scott H. Huffmon, a political science professor at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., "His message resonates this time, as well as it did last time. He is just outshone by two huge stars in the firmament. It's like holding a candle between two massive spotlights."
Clearly the move by Sen. John Kerry to endorse Barack Obama is an attempt to snuff the candle out, but as we all learned in New Hampshire, the best laid plans can backfire.
"The South Carolina primary is enormously important because it's the first time we've had a primary in the South, the first time we've had a primary that has a large African American population," he said. "So I think it's a place that's a good test for all three of us."
Although he won the primary in 2004, he is well behind both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the polls this time around.
According to Scott H. Huffmon, a political science professor at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., "His message resonates this time, as well as it did last time. He is just outshone by two huge stars in the firmament. It's like holding a candle between two massive spotlights."
Clearly the move by Sen. John Kerry to endorse Barack Obama is an attempt to snuff the candle out, but as we all learned in New Hampshire, the best laid plans can backfire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)