156 and not counting

Michigan's democratic delegates won't be seated at next year's Democratic convention.

VIENNA, Va. - Democratic leaders voted Saturday to strip Michigan of all its delegates to the national convention next year as punishment for scheduling an early presidential primary in violation of party rules.

In spite of the vote, some party leaders and officials said they believed the delegates would eventually be seated at the convention.

Michigan, with 156 delegates, has scheduled a Jan. 15 primary. Democratic Party rules prohibit states other than Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina from holding nominating contests before Feb. 5. Florida was hit with a similar penalty in August for scheduling a Jan. 29 primary.

Michigan officials anticipated the action by the Democratic National Committee's rules panel. But Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said before the vote that he didn't think the delegates would be lost for good. He expects the nominee will insist the state's delegates be seated at the convention.

The decision comes as no surprise after similar action was taken against Florida. Will these actions hurt Democratic Presidential chances in 2008? I don't think so. Hardcore Democrats, are going to vote as will Republicans. Measure like this could hurt with independent democrats, but aren't voters supposed to vote which candidate they like rather than on actions of unelected party leaders?

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