RBC: Michigan's Proposal

The DNC's staff analysis, quoted here yesterday, did not offer an opinion as to how Michigan's delegates ought to be allocated, if at all. The Michigan Democratic Party's leading lights, in a letter to members of the rules and bylaws comission today, reiterate their position: the Clinton campaign wanted 73 delegates to Obama's 55; the Obama campaign wanted them split equally; the party split the difference, proposing a 69 to 59 split. "This 69/59 approach was overwhelmingly adopted by the Executive Committee of the Michigan Democratic Party – which like the Rules and Bylaws Committee has members who are strong advocates for both candidates – as a position that can unify our party and put this issue behind us," these party leaders write. :o that end, both of our presidential candidates have made clear that they want Michigan’s delegates to be seated without penalty."

The reality is that the total number of delegates will not be 138; it will be 69; the RBC is not likely to restore the delegation to full strength.

The AP adds a wrinkle to the process: Joel Ferguson, a DNC member who will argue the case on behalf of Michigan, wants to award Clinton her entiire delegate slate (73); award Obama zero delegates because he chose not to be on the ballot (0), and, failing that, give all the superdelegates like himself a full vote and the pledged delegates a half of a vote.