Back Door Hillary

Both Michigan and Florida moved their primaries earlier than the Democratic Party was allowing, thus the DNC has stripped the states of their delegates. A total of 2,025 delegates are needed to win the Democratic nomination. For more explanation on this process, see the following link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/02/delegate.explainer/index.html

This past August, while campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire, Hillary signed a pledge not to "campaign or participate" in the Michigan or Florida Democratic primaries because of their manuevers. Both Obama and John Edwards withdrew from the Michigan primary to protest the unauthorized move up in date. Hillary did not withdraw and won the primary handily (she ran vs. the popular candidate name "uncommitted").

None of the candidates officially withdrew from the Florida primary, but they were banned from campaigning in the state, either live or via TV ads.

However, in the past week, Hillary Clinton held two closed door fundraisers in Florida. Tonight, Hillary is CAMPAIGNING in Florida, giving her acceptance speech, as she has won the primary. "I am thrilled to have had this vote of confidence that you have given me today," Clinton told supporters. "I promise you I will do everything I can to make sure not only are Florida's Democratic delegates seated, but Florida is in the winning column for the Democrats in 2008."

"I believe our nominee will need the enthusiastic support of Democrats in these states to win the general election, and so I will ask my Democratic convention delegates to support seating the delegations from Florida and Michigan," she said.

Obama's campaign manager accused Clinton of pandering.

What is she doing? She is pulling a "rope-a-dope" strategy. "Oh yeah, I will stand for the principals of the DNC and not run in these states that violated the rules...oh no, wait, let me stay on the ballot in Michigan, let me campaign in Florida, and then I will try to get all of the ruling on the delegates overturned at the convention. Ha ha suckers!" It's like telling people not to eat the last cookie on the tray because the cookies don't taste very good, and when the others turn away, reaching out and grabing the cookie and eating it quickly.

Not a smooth move by Hillary. If the race for delegates is close going in the convention, expect Obama's team to cry foul. This is a sneaky move that could further tarnish her image (e.g., Whitewater). And, it could cause a serious split in the Democratic Party. We'll see how this plays out.