Rules or Politics? Preview of Meeting to Determine Michigan and Florida Debacle

Tomorrow the Democratic rules committee meets to determine the fate of the Michigan and Florida delegates. The Democratic Party stripped both states of their delegations for moving their primaries too early.  But the prolonged and close race this primary, plus repeated demands by the Clinton campaign to seat the delegates, will all culminate in tomorrow's meeting.

At stake - 128 pledged delegates from Michigan and 185 pledged delegates from Florida.

The Obama campaign originally wanted an even split with Clinton on the delegates, a position they've since softened.

Campaign Manager David Plouffe.

"Any compromise will benefit Senator Clinton. We're willing to cede some delegates to bring this to some resolution."

The Clinton campaign wants the committee to seat all the delegates and to award them based on the primary outcome.

Howard Wolfson, Clinton Communications Director.

 "The DNC will vote on Saturday to seat Florida and Michigan at 100 percent an that's what we're focused on."

Obama did not campaign in Florida, Clinton spent one day there just before their January 29th primary. In Michigan, Barack Obama took his name off the ballot.

The Clinton campaign has been organizing busloads of supporters to rally outside the Washington hotel where the meeting will take place.  300 seats are open to the public, or were open to the public but the free ticket went faster than any concert ticket around.

John Osman from the Florida Democratic party will make its case. Mark Berman, member of the Michigan Democratic Party will  make Michigans case.  A representative from each campaign will plea to the Rules and bylaws committee. Then the 30 members will discuss, debate, and hopefully decide an outcome. 

But reaching agreement is not going to be easy.  13 members support Senator Clinton, 8 support Senator Obama. Nine have not declared their allegiance.

Committee member Donald Fowler is former Democratic Party Chair. He is a Clinton supporter. Don thought the sanctions placed on Florida and Michigan were too tough, although he abstained from those votes last summer  He is married to Carol Fowler, she is a member of the rules committee and current Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. She is an Obama supporter. She voted to punish Florida and Michigan and she thinks a precedent should be set - that states will be punished if they break the rules.

There's a proposal going around that says the best that can be done is that Michigan and Florida receive half of the delegates.

Don Fowler:

 "I don't agree with that at all."

But Carol disagrees:

 "That's the only option."

The only sure thing is it's expected to be highly political.