August 3, 2008 
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My Top 3 |
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Ben Smith has Obama’s letter to the DNC Credentials Committee:
August 3, 2008Hon. Alexis Herman, Co-Chair
James Roosevelt, Jr., Co-Chair
Eliseo Roques-Arroyo, Co-ChairDear Credentials Committee Chairs:
In just a few weeks, our Party will convene in Denver for our National Convention. This will be an historic event that will showcase our vision for changing the direction of our country.
The delegates and alternates who gather on Monday, August 25 will reflect the talent, energy and rich diversity of our Democratic Party. The delegates will come from all 56 states and territories. As these delegates go about the important business of the Convention, I believe Party unity calls for the delegates from Florida and Michigan to be able to participate fully alongside the delegates from the other states and territories. Accordingly, I ask that the Credentials Committee, when it meets on August 24 to approve the delegates for the National Convention, pass a resolution that would entitle each delegate from Florida and Michigan to cast a full vote.
As a candidate for the nomination, I supported the DNC’s efforts to establish and enforce a schedule for primaries and caucuses that would broaden the opportunity for Democrats from all regions of the country and all backgrounds and walks of life to have a meaningful voice. An unprecedented number of voters participated in our Democratic nominating process. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Dean for his principled leadership during this long and challenging process.
As we prepare to come together in Denver, however, we must be - and will be - united in our determination to change the course of our nation. To that end, Democrats in Florida and Michigan must know that they are full partners and colleagues in our historic mission to reshape Washington and lead our country in a new direction.
With warmest personal regards,
Barack Obama
No surprise here. As Matt at DemConWatch says:
We always knew this would eventually happen.
The seating of FL & MI delegates was only an issue vis a vis the Rules and Bylaws Committee to the extent that it impacted the race for the nomination; now that we have a presumptive nominee, the dispute is mute. Hillary Clinton would have done the same thing were she the presumptive nominee and FL & MI left the Rules & Bylaws Committee with less than full votes at the convention. The irony of Clinton’s fight for the full seating of Michigan and Florida back in the spring was that it was only an issue because she stayed in the race. Had she dropped out — not that I was advocating for that, but if she had — it would not have been an issue at all. The fate of Michigan’s and Florida’s delegates was only in dispute because she fought through to the end of the primary process. So, I don’t really understand people’s criticism of Barack Obama for this. This is really a non-controversy. Can someone explain the problem with this move?
Tags: 2008 presidential election, barack obama, michigan, florida, democratic convention (all tags)
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