Florida, Michigan don’t deserve revote

Thank goodness someone has the same take on this that I do! I always enjoy hearing your opinion on things Roland. Especially when it seems to be the only voice of reason.

I think Senator Obama has great ideas and gives awesome speeches, however, Senator Obama has lost his connections to reality. Anytime your FORCED to reject and denounce a fellow Black Man of something he’s apologized about over and over, then yeah, Florida and Michigan should count as payback for Obama dissing the Minister. Furthermore, Obama as President wont mean nothing for POOR and MIDDLE Class Blacks who are not connected to “The Learned Elders of Zion, Boule, the Old Guard, and Black Greeks”. Obama as President, and all the Elite and their little Jack and Jill Children will be dancing in the Streets ;-[

Roland ( Love you on CNN!!) I totally agree with everything that you stated in your article. I am an engineer by trade ( AA Female). And I know sometimes I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but answer this question for me because I can not wrap my head around it…………………….

If they decided to not include Florida and Michigan in the voting process for the Primaries/Caucases which took away the total delegates, then why didn’t the total number of delegates decrease to insure that we wouldn’t be going through all this re-vote issues.

2025- 366? = 1659

total delegates – FL/MI Del = Total amount needed to secure nomination

Thanks again!!!

It is indeed dangerous to set a precedent in allowing a revote. However, the change in the Primary calendar in Florida was done under Republican leadership. Should Democrats be punished for a decision made by Republicans? With recent Florida election history is it possible that this was intentional?

Amen to ALL OF THAT! My husband and I have been discussing this very argument and we COMPLETELY agree with what you have stated. My question is this: why isn’t the media making this same argument? Could it be because Clinton is the one who stands to benefit most from a recount?? I am continually baffled that the discussion is not on the ones who chose to go against the stated policy. They don’t care about the voters. If they did, they would have followed the rules. Just another example of political arrogance. On another note, why isn’t there more political chatter about Obama winning the Texas caucaus? Thanks for your blog Mr. Martin. We love watching you on CNN. You are a refreshing addition to the political commentaries! ~Jeronda in Maryland

Thank you for telling it like it is!
- Chris, Michigan Resident

A questions for all African-Americans supporting Barack Obama

If Obama is the representative of change and he’s fortunate enough to become Commander-n-Chief, how many of you are willing to make changes in the black community? as in:

1. Having unprotected sex
2. Embracing the Ghetto image
2. Raising your children properly
4. Helping out the less forunate.
5 Staying in School

You see these are all things that Barack speaks so passionately about. So if you are going to vote for the candiate of change, be willing to make some changes yourself….Food for thought.

While I appreciate your commentary, especially the last part about ousting the politicians who put us in this predicament in the first place, it’s still of no consolation to the voting citizens whose opinions were completely ignored. Especially those of us, in the state of Michigan, who didn’t want Granholm making our decisions to begin with!!! Not all Michiganians would be that arrogant….

let me guess, you’re an Obama supporter……but you’re not sounding much like a Christian….nice attitude Martin. Your insulting the people of Michigan and calling them arrogant is repulsive.

Mr. Martin, I totally agree with you on the issue of FL & MI. not only is it not fair to change the rules halfway, but it’s also unfair to those who abided by the rules and never came out to vote. So, splitting what is already in the bank in half would be the most fair way to seat those delegates. No one told the governors to make the changes, they were warned and agreed to not have the delegates counted, and so were the candidates in agreement. I have a huge issue with Clinton now sounding like she is fighting for the people’s voices to be heard and for their votes to be counted. No doubt she would not want them counted if she was winning. If FL and MI are aloowed to do a revote, I will personally vote for MCcain. Actually, I will vote for him if Hillary is the nominee anyhow. I do not trust the Clintons and I have been seeing how Hillary Clinton will do just about anything to get elected. She is all about her self interests, self seeking and cares less about the people. I also have a huge issue with her in regards to Ferraro. That is absolutely unacceptable and that is why I am all for Mr. Obama who has shown us what politcs CAN be like. We elect these people and then complain about their behavior. America needs to wake up and vote for politicians with dignity, integrity and honesty long before they worry about Washignton experience. Especially when your experience is not really presidential or at least VP. I am praying that the people of America will have enough sense and enough wisdom to vote for the right person, not for color as Ms. Ferraro put it. I am a 49 yr old (white)woman and I have no respect for Hillary Clinton, so I wil lnot vote for her just because she is white. I am voting for Mr. Obama because I believe in his vision and his plans to bring about chnage in America. The time has come, it is here and now! I hope Pennsylvania will do the right thing, vote Obama and stop this nonsense so we can move forward with a respectable election and get a president into the white house that will bring back the good old days, when other countries respected and liked us. Clinton needs to be held down and told straight out, she is ruining the party and the country. In spite of all the dirty tricks and tactics she has played, Obama is still pretty clean. He has been campaigning against three Clintons, out of which one is a former president with high rarings, a woman who will stop at nothing to get her nomination and sending their daughter out to 33 states already just to make sure no one takes the nomination away from them. Guess what? Obama has been able to be the front runner. That my friend is pretty amazing!!! Hillary only won TX & OH because of her dirty, dirty tricks. Now her campaign is playing the race card. She is done with most of the black voters, she doesn’t need them anymore, so she is planting an ugly, ugly seed in the minds of millions of white voters to vote for a white person. She is discussting and so is Ferraro. There should be some enforcement of the campaign rules. Where is Howard Dean? He needs to stop that woman, and make it fast please!

Roland, America has a BETTER record of letting African-Americans vote than Africa has of letting it’s own Africans vote!

REMEMBER – America outlawed slavery BEFORE Africa outlawed the slavery of it’s own people!

Does accuracy mean ANTHING to you?!?!

I agree with you completely. The voters of these states were NOT disenfranchised! They exercised their franchise when they elected the legislators and governors that decided to play “chicken” with Howard Dean & the DNC. All they had to do was follow the rules. If life teaches us one lesson, it is this: If you break the rules, there are consequences. Suck it up, Michigan & Florida, and take your medicine.

While I’m on a rant, I want to speak out about how I feel Obama is being pushed into a corner regarding race. We are told that “we expect Obama to win Mississippi” because of the large number of black voters.” Why don’t we hear, “We expect Hillart to win Florida because of the numner of old white women voters?” Before you cry rascism to me, I am a white mail married for 34 years to an “old white woman.” And she is too smart to buy Hillary’s manipulations.

I support Obama, not because he is African-American, but because he does not have the cynical, manipulative personality that has been the forefront of politics in my lifetime of 54 years. I would rather have someone with passion and vision running the country, than someone that knows how to manipulate America. I think it appalling that the MEDIA has been duped by the Clinton machine ito making race the predominant issue in this race. I’m angry that America is falling for this strategy.

Mr Martin, I enjoy your frank opinions on CNN, and wish you well in the pursuit of your Master’s degree. God bless you for bringing clarity to what appears to be the what we call the Clinton News Network (CNN)

Now, I feel better! Please excuse any typos- I have Lou Gehrig’s disease, and my fingers do not always do what I thell them to do. (Much like my children)
gramps

I wanted to say although I do agree that someone should pay for these sins against the people of these states, it should not be the people to pay with their right to vote. It sickens me that this could even be the case and to imagine this was allowed to happen is just utterly mind blowing; where are the checks and balances?
Their votes WILL count. You cannot dismiss the right to Vote from 4% of our Country (2 states) simply because politicians, whom were elected by the people, made choices for which the people did NOT elect.
The responsible parties should be fired and a revote organized to be paid for by the entire nation, as the cost to restore the order that we ALL stand by and count on even as we vote yesterday, today and tomorrow. This is a separate issue from Republican or Democratic parties, this effects everyone on both sides. Today Michigan and Florida, tomorrow any state could be bought by a presidential canidate, all that needs to be done is force them to run early, violate the rules and throw away voters which maybe against them. Perhaps it’s already happened.

Justin

Roland,

What are the chances that the DNC will allow these states to revote. Also, what would be the consequences of doing do, beside the $30 million.

As a Dem who wants a Democrat to win in November, I wish Mr Martin you would just say what everyone is thinking. Obama supporters do not want a revote because it would most likley hurt him. Clinton supporters want one because they feel it would benefit her. Thats what it is pure and simple.

This pontificating how because the decision was made the millions of voters who now dont have a voice should just accept that is nonsense. Your ” they need to be punished” mentality would render this primary season as nonsense.

The worst that can happen from a revote? Two states and there voters actually get a say in the primary process choosing a candidate and a few party leaders have egg on their face for making a bad decision. You DO NOT penalize millions for the actions of a few.

Mark my words, the Dem party is on its way to again screwing up an election, not letting two large states votes count is not right for the people.

If i lived in Florida do you think for one moment id vote in the general election if I didnt get a say in who my candidate was?? Please dont hide behind the well they chose this so now this is the consequences. You dont do that to million sof voters. It is not right. The voters didnt vote for the party leaders.

It is not that Michigan and Florida do not deserve to vote it is just that the two states or the politicians in those two states that laid the rights of the people in their states on the line and loss need to foot the bill. It is their responsibility and the people should be outrage and oust their political leaders in those two states. Not the DNC, not Clintons rich friends, or the candidates, but the political leaders who after being told an warned made the decision anyway. They challenged and loss. Now they need to look into their political coffers and find the money. Why should others have to pay for their mistakes.

I have a quick suggestion – next time you’re on CNN and Sen. Clinton’s campaign folks start making the absurd ‘big state little state’ argument you should remind them that this is a democrat party primary and not the general election – these states are ultimately equally available for both democrat candidates.

The positive assumption is that either Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton will be the recipient of the majority of democrat voters support during the general election, thus both of them have an equal chance of winning the ‘big states’. Whether we’re talking about Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or DC, whichever candidate becomes the democrat nominee will have an equal opportunity to win the respective battleground ‘big states’ – and most likely will win considering the very large democrat turnout.

Now if we take the negative position that Sen. Obama will not get the majority of Sen. Clinton’s supporters to vote for him, then we have to assume likewise that Sen. Clinton will not get the majority of Sen. Obama’s primary supporters to vote for her, thus this theory would indicate that neither one of them will be able to win the ‘big states’ in the general election.

But, the more probable scenario is that Sen. Obama has a better chance of unifying the party after this debacle the democrats are now in, hence he actually has the best chance of winning the ‘big states’ in the general election – so the argument is just the opposite of what Sen. Clinton’s campaign professes.

This is just another attempt by Sen. Clinton’s campaign to distract by confusion and create an altered state of reality.

By the way, I’m an independent.

You are so increadibly biased towards one of the democratic candidates (I wonder who) that many people don’t even want to see you on cnn anymore. You don’t even try to pretend to be unbiased. And why is it no surprise that you don’t want the Florida and Michigan votes to count?? Let me wonder now…

Thank you.

Roland, I couldn’t agree with you more on your commentary “Florida, Michigan don’t deserve revote.” After all, those states knew the consequences of their actions. And now, Hillary has suddenly realized that it’s “wrong” to disenfranchise Michigan and Florida voters. Really? When she thought she’d have the Democratic Nomination wrapped up by February 5th she didn’t think it was wrong. But now that she needs those delegates, well, those darn rules just got in the way, and she’s counting on her supporters in the DNC to fix things for her. There are only two fair ways to handle this.
1. No redo. Period. Like you said, “See ya in four years.”
2. If you must do something with the delegates, then split the delegates equally between the two
candidates.
Any other solution will have the appearance of favoring one candidate over another. So no deals. This mess is of those states own making and governor Granholm of Michigan and governor Crist of Florida need to stand up and accept the blame.

Roland, I really enjoy your contributions on CNN! Good job!

W. Johnson,
I find your comments confusing. I have German heritage. Obviously, Germany has an APALLING history of opression- which is why my ancestors left. Would your arguement mean that German Americans should not talk about our right to vote? Or that all Germans return to Germany to vote there- or to fix their political system? Please help me understand.

grumpy ol’ gramps

Africa had a significant colonial presence. Africans didn’t have a say in the matter. The decision to support slavery was made by the people of similar origin as those that supported slavery in this country. Remember Rhodesia? Inaccurate information W Johnson, not mention irrelevant to the piece above.

Roland you need to stop doing this; trying to divide this country racially. First you went on CNN and said black people won’t vote come November if Hillary Clinton is the nominee. And now don’t try to create a racial issue out of the word “disenfranchisement”. Its because of people like you our country and democratic party will be divided along racial lines. And you need to stop being a lop sided commentator always trying to please Obama camp. People who watch TV are not as stupid and small as you think. So stop the rhetoric and be a person with integrity and let the democratic process prevail.

I totally agree with Roland on this matter, furthermore people should really look into the motivation of the specific political leaders and why they want to seat the delegates from both Florida and Michigan.

Crist is trying to spin it, so that if by chance the delegates are not seated the Dems will look bad and hopefully more people will vote for McCain.

Granholm is an avid Clinton supporter and wants to deliver for her.

Truth be told, the voters in both states new that their vote would not count. They didn’t take any quorums with it. Basically, the Clinton campaign is trying to scare the DNC into thinking that the state will go to the Republicans in November if they don’t redue or give the delegates to Clinton and Crist is playing devils advocate in hopes that the state will go to the republicans.

The truth is that come November not only will the voters that voted in the democratic primary vote dems again, even more people will vote in the general election once that have a candidate they can get behind.

Is the DNC going to cave in to the Clinton machine and honor the proposal for elections to be held in Florida and Michigan? You know, that is a move to STEAL THE NOMINATION FROM BARACK!!! I refuse to sit by and let that happen without voicing my strong opposition. If you feel as I do, perhaps you want to take the action I just did…..

call the DNC…202-863-8000. Don’t be discouraged if it takes awhile for your call to be answered…when it is answered your call might be directed to Constituent Services voice mail. Don’t let that dissuade you…leave a message as I did.

also, send a messge to DNC.org, I did that, too. In my message I informed the Committee if they should move forward with that proposal I will be withdrawing my membership in the Party and registering as an Independent…and, voting for the nominee with that designation.

Between us…I hope it someone other than Ralph Nader. (smiles)

The important thing is I wanted to let them know that they would no longer be able to count me in their numbers and that I was going to encourage my family, friends and neighbors to do the same…as I am now.

pissed-offf

Micki

“But folks, I’m sorry. Knowing full well how the two political hacks – also called governors of Michigan and Florida — deliberately chose to ignore the Democratic Party rules and try to leapfrog the other states, I just don’t have any compassion for them.”

How stunningly foolish.

Those who aren’t sleepwalking are aware that the *legislature* in Florida were responsible for the bill which ultimately moved the primary date. It’s is simply remarkable that Mr. Martin would say something like the quote above when any school child knows that the executive branch doesn’t enact legislation.

And even if we can overlook Mr. Martin’s failure to comprehend basic civics, there is another huge factual flaw in what passes for his argument.

The vote in the Florida House to adopt the change of primary date was unanimous (that means everyone voted for it, Mr. Martin). Republicans and Democrats both supported the bill.

In the Florida Senate, there were 3 nay votes. Again, broad bi-partisan support.

Please, Mr. Martin, educate yourself on some basic civics and learn a bit about what actually happened with the change of Florida’s primary date before you try to frame it as some horrible partisan offense by the bad, scary Republicans.

Matt

Roland, should the fact that they may be idiots deprive the rest of the country their vote on our next president?

Next, do you want to take the right to vote away from dumb? Those dumber than you? (are there any?)

How about we take it away from whites?

Good for you! I’m glad somebody in the media is finally calling for the DNC to do the right thing. So many of the elected officials on both sides ignore the rules, do their own thing and then want everyone else to accommodate them if they screw up.

Reminds me of when my kids were little and playing board games. They would listen to the rules of the game then if they got a bad role or drew a card they didnt like, they got mad and insisted the rules were stupid or wanted a do over.

Grow up Governors!

Putting aside the fact that you have a favorite dog in the race , your comment is anti- democratic , and soundly un-american . Why you say ?Sounds like some more of the same old . The people had their shot. Did they? 1.7 million people said let’s move our primaries up. No! Now those 1.7 mil can go to h..l as far as you are concerned in your narrow view of the rules. Those same rules gave us your man George Bush ( well sorry if he isn’t , he should be by your analysis of this ) you know those rules that went to the Supreme Court and the Judges by a 5 ( Rep.) to a 4 ( Dem ) vote said don’t count all the votes . I am at 60 years of age ashamed of what a sham the voting system in this country has become. Special interests , including your own , are destroying the fiber of this country that made it the fascilitator of human rights that it had become , and making us appear more of a bananna republic to the rest of the world . I see a terrible path for this country down the road unless we all start thinking of each other ( which most of us were until about 28 years ago) and not just ourselves which is totally prevalent today. We are becoming more , not less , divided by age, race , sex , religion , and economic stature over the last twenty eight years then we ever were in our history. We need the free press to bring us together on an issue of counting all votes and every other social issue , not create their own chasm for us to wallow in. If my last vote doesn’t count as a Democrat , my next one as a Republican surely will.

I’m having trouble knowing where to begin as your blog posting is so far off the mark. First let me say that you not mentioning that Florida Dem’s tried and failed to amend when Florida would hold it’s primary but were silenced by the Republican legislative majority and Republican Govenor is at best “deceit by silence”.

Let me ask you this: If Illinois had a Republican controlled Legislature and a Republican Govenor…and they did what Florida did..would you still feel the same? I don’t feel that you would.

And saying “Florida will have to deal with their own officials” has 2 major flaws:
1) It does not address the fact that millions of Florida Democrat voters will be disenfranchised by decisions coming from Republicans. Unacceptable. Period.

2) Florida Dem’s did NOT elect these officials. We already showed our displeasure with the Repub legislators by voting against them.

Congratulations!!! My mother and I love watching you on CNN we call each other whenever you are on the scene. I feel honored that you are a professional educated black men representing with no self-interest. Your comments for McCain were fair. Maybe once you get a voice CNN will realize black or white. All Americans want is the facts. I also feel (my PO) that Tom J is sleeping on you. Most blacks truly believe Tavis is in Hillary’s pocket and we know about the investment club Bill intoduced him to. He like a lot of others, has let Clinton ruin his rep. Remember a person will bring you down before you lift them up. Your thoughts are true accurate and on point. This is another scheme by the Clinton machine. Has any one but me noticed the republicans are calling her Hillary Rodham Clinton now. Stay FOCUSED GOD will bless you double for your trouble!!

I must say if the tables were turned, e.g., if Hillary were leading Obama in the delegate count, I guarantee your blog would be to a different tune. Instead, you would be demanding that blacks in those two states be give a chance to have their votes and voices heard. You might even be leading a protest with signs like, “Racism in Florida” or “Blacks don’t count in Michigan”. But since your “brotha” is leading the Dem nominee race, your interest is not in equality for ALL AMERICANS (it never is from most blacks, just looking out for your “own”). No, now your concern is to protect Obama’s lead, even if that means sacrificing a few black votes and the democratic process for all. Pathetic.

The custodian of democracy overnight become prostitute of democracy.This is the issue with the DNC,nobody gave other people a chance to perform other than Ms Clinton,mark my word Clinton mariage would crumble soon as Hilary got it that she is going nowhere.She overlooked Lewinsky because she was waiting for this time.The Clintons plan ahead of others,Gore lost so Hilary would be well gromed,Kerry lost so Hilary would not wait for too long,now when she thought Edward is no contest a poor boy called OBAMA is rubbing salt into her broken ego.People wake up dont be decieved.White House is not for only 2 families governing back to back,Bush & Clinton.

The people that should be held accountable are the politicians in Michigan and Florida. No one else should have to foot the bill for their disregard for the rights to vote of the citizens of those states. The gambled with the votes of their constituens and loss and now they need to look into their coffers and pay the debt. Then the people of Michigan and Florida should vote them out of office for risking their rights. Money should not be accepted from Clintons rich friends, the DNC, or any other private interests; Because what are we doing now buying elections? Pay up Governors of Michigan and Florida!!

Thank you! This is what I keep saying to myself every time I see or hear about this in the news.

You knew your votes wouldn’t count and yet you went and jumped line anyway. Well, you blew it!

Your comment wouldn’t have anything to do with Barack not winning Florida would it. If Florida had gone in Obama’s favor you would be screaming that the people were being penalized. What a hipocrite. All votes should count. Since when does the DNC over rule the constitution.

Roland, I agree. I think letting FL @ MI decide the nomination now would actually be disenfranchising the rest of the States. A 50/50 split would probably not be statistically far from the reality of a vote. I think that is what should be done to make the math involved work out right. There is certainly no way that anyone is going to get to 2025 without these 366 delegates being included in the mathmatical formula. If they don’t add them in as a 50/50 split then they should lower the number of required delegates to 1842 to discount the 366 that they know are not being counted. One or the other. Obviously neither one of these solutions would cost any money. I don’t really see how either canidate could successfully argue against the fairness. It would at least clear the air on one subject that is likely to have long term damage to the Democratic Party.

As a resident of Michigan, I must say first and foremost that Governor Granholm didn’t do a single thing wrong. She RIGHTFULLY attempted to move the date of Michigan’s primary up so it would hold SOME better measure of importance- vital, considering Michigan is at the very top of the list in importance to the overall economic state of our entire country. Some may consider Michigan irrelevant, but our nation goes as Michigan goes.

That said, the arbitrary “rules” set forth are not laws, nor commandments… they’re simply a red-tape attempt to create power in a small number of states while ignoring the importance of the other ones. The DNC IS to blame for this problem- first in creating such a bass-ackwards primary schedule, and then in attempting to strong-arm Michigan and Florida into submission.

I’m proud of governor Granholm. She’s had to fight through endless waves of right-wing attacks and suppression, and still stays strong and makes the right moves constantly. I’m very angry at the DNC- who is in fact disenfranchising my vote. I certainly have the right to have my voice heard as a citizen of a U.S. state, but currently someone living in American Samoa has more say than I do.

That’s inexcusable. While Clinton won both states (it was, after all, Obama’s choice to remove his name from the vote in Michigan) so long as we have a revote all will be forgiven and our party will move on. If our voices are silenced, the damage done to the party will linger for decades… millions of Americans living in both states will be showing their kids – with proof – how your vote, in fact, does not count. The cost? Endless years of right-wing leadership, continuing to bring our nation down the same road of destruction that the Roman Empire faced.

Roland, you are right on with your commentary. Why have rules if you will allow states to break the rules and then let them have their way? And regarding America, the reader above needs to understand that Africa is a continent, not a country. He is comparing apples to oranges.

African Americans collectively were not able to vote until the 1965 Voting Rights Act. And just because the Act was in place, did not stop voter intimidation, and other games that both parties played.

Keep doing what you are doing. Please contact me at the submitted email address. I need to formally introduce myself and inform you of a few things.

W Johnson,

Again, how many white voters have voted for a candidate running for president every Nov 4 in the general election? Answer; 100% of white voters.

African-Americans were only recently allowed in to the mainstream not 2 generations ago. They had to have the National Guard protect them just to go to school. They were beaten, lynched, and treated as non-citizens.

Slavery ended roughly 150 years ago and you want to pat yourself on the back for that? Geez, Europe ended slavery before America if you want to get technical. By the way, we had to fight a civil war to end slavery.

Put the hood back on, wizard.

I guess the truth really does hurt.

Pointing out Mr. Martin’s glaring factual errors in his partisan rant about Florida earns one censorship on this site.

Matt

I must agree. And I’M from Michigan. I saw this coming months ago when Sen. Carl Levin pushed so hard to get our primary moved to January. He and our Governor, Jennifer Granholm, called the DNC’s bluff then found out it wasn’t.

That said, Michigan wants to be involved in defining the front-runners over Iowa and N.H. We are an industrial community, producing the highest quality goods and medicine. We are proud of our high quality products and services and natural resources. (Certain politicians want to “share” our water and forests). We want a front-runner that supports Michigan’s best interests. I do agree with Sen. Levin there, but not on how they handled it.

Most of all, it’s sad that we Michigan voters had no say in this whatsoever. And now those trips to the polls were for nothing, at least for the democrats. This shouldn’t have happened. Thanks Carl and Jen!

Oh well. I’m a republican so MY vote counted….well 1/2 of it anyway!

Here’s what gets me: Why wasn’t Hillary Clinton concerned about these voters being excluded before she started losing to Obama? Why didn’t we hear her protesting against the party rules in January? The answer of course is that she didn’t think it would matter but but kept her name on both ballots to keep her options open.

This election was the Democrat’s to lose and that is exactly what is happening. The party is caving in to Hillary Clinton because no one believed that Obama had a chance. Hillary Clinton will do whatever it takes win the nomination and John McCain will win the general election.

gramps Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
W. Johnson,
I find your comments confusing. I have German heritage. Obviously, Germany has an APALLING history of opression- which is why my ancestors left. Would your arguement mean that German Americans should not talk about our right to vote? Or that all Germans return to Germany to vote there- or to fix their political system? Please help me understand.
grumpy ol’ gramps

Gramps, I too am of German origin. Yes, most, if not ALL cultures have had oppression in their histories. Roland is not condemning what happened in America, he is condemning what the white man did to the black man. Why Roland and other blacks have to endlessly condemn and trash what happened here in America while ignoring the horrors of their own cultures is disgusting. Yes, what happened here was wrong, but in historical standards, their own cultures were and are much worse. America has worked to right the wrongs of it’s past. Not perfect, but better then the countries of their origins. So, if Roland wants to endlessly trash white America, let him be fair and also trash his ancestors. We can call that…FAIR. What do you think?

William Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Africa had a significant colonial presence. Africans didn’t have a say in the matter. The decision to support slavery was made by the people of similar origin as those that supported slavery in this country. Remember Rhodesia? Inaccurate information W Johnson, not mention irrelevant to the piece above.

William – wrong and wrong. Slavery existed in Africa LONG before the white European ever came along.
Irrelevant? Only because you want to say so. Roland brought up America’s (read white) past voting restrictions. I was responding to them.

JV Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
W Johnson,
Again, how many white voters have voted for a candidate running for president every Nov 4 in the general election? Answer; 100% of white voters.
African-Americans were only recently allowed in to the mainstream not 2 generations ago. They had to have the National Guard protect them just to go to school. They were beaten, lynched, and treated as non-citizens.
Slavery ended roughly 150 years ago and you want to pat yourself on the back for that? Geez, Europe ended slavery before America if you want to get technical. By the way, we had to fight a civil war to end slavery.
Put the hood back on, wizard.

JV- 100%?! Wow, you did a count? You missed one. ME!! I didn’t know the presidential election was on Nov 4 every year, I thought it was the first Tuesday in November every four years. Is there ANYTHING accurate in your writings?

What does that mean “…only recently allowed…”? Blacks are the most pampered people there has ever been in the history of the world and they still remain firmly entrenched at the bottom of the economic ladder. EVERYONE flys by blacks economically. WHEN will you STOP blaming whitey and START taking responsibility for yourselves?!?!

Put my hood back on? Just because I state facts I’m a racist?! Well then, go get back on the welfare line, will ya!!

William, JV – next time you want to blame whitey for ALL your problems and tell us how perfect black people are you might want to check out this piece:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/03/13/warcrimes.taylor.ap/index.html

Florida/Michigan should not be seated. They agreed in advance that they would not have representation if they had an early election. There is no equitable way to include the Floridians or Michigans in this ridiculous affair and maintain a legitimate delegation. If each of them were willing to give 50% to Obama and 50% to Clinton and the total number of Republican delegates to McCain then the DNC should review this. Otherwise, NO, NO, NO

You are showing your elitist attitude. Why is it that whenever a white man or woman begins to lose anything then it is a Black woman or man’s fault. He, Obama is the blended embodiment of all that is America..African, Kenyan Father, White, Mother. He does what many of the politicians cannot do understand the despair and frustration of his African American family and the struggle and fear of his White ancestors. Give the man a break and move on to the economy, Irag, oil prices, and healthcare.

Roland,

Thanks for your comments on CNN. It is refreshing to hear well thought out responses to the many questions and comments that are directed to you all on Cnn. Keep it honest, keep it with much wisdom, and make yourself accountable to the truth. Keep up the excellent work.

Hazel

W Johnson

Tell me how your post has any revelance to the rest of the post. Nobody is blaming any white americans for what happened to Fl and Mi. Your statment is absurd, and has no place in this conversation. I reject and denounce them, and I hope that everyone else will as well.

W Davis – perhaps you missed the second paragraph! I’ve posted it in part below:

“Because of this nation’s sordid history on the issue of denying African-Americans the right to vote”.

Roland wrote the coment, I responded to it. Perhaps you should address him.

He attacked whites without pointing out that whites have been MUCH more generous to his people than his own people.

Blacks 4 Barack (A Multi-Racial Org.)
Announces:
The ‘WE WILL NOT BE CHEATED’
Phone Campaign To DNC !

Out of desperation, the Clinton campaign is now stooping to extreme lows by having surrogate Geraldine Ferraro in the media making racist statements against Barack Obama. Also, it is a fact that even if Hillary wins Pennsylvania there is absolutely no way she can get enough delegate votes to defeat Obama. And her BIG ploy now is to have a ‘re-do’ in Michigan and Florida, despite the fact that this would be a changing of the rules in the middle of the game which should not be allowed. She then hopes that, after stealing the nomination, she will offer Obama the V.P. slot….figuring that if he excepts, Obama supporters will vote for her….while if he does not….she would at least look like she offered the slot. THIS IS UNEXCEPTABLE !

Hillary Clinton’s coniving tactics will end up extremely detrimental to the Democratic Party. Now is the time to let the DNC know that if Hillary wins through ANY methods deemed trickery (which is the only way she can win) WE….THE PEOPLE WILL NOT SUPPORT HER IN THE GENERAL ELECTION !

National radio talk show host Warren Ballentine is asking EVERYONE to call the DNC at 202-863-8000 to let them know ‘We Will Not Support A Cheater !’We need 50 thousand Americans of all ages, races and creeds to FLOOD THE PHONES !!! So Call Today !!!! 202-863-8000. Say It Loud….WE WILL NOT SUPPORT A CHEATER…..PERIOD!!! Tell everyone you know to make this call. The Time Is NOW….for the Re-Birth of America !!!!

NOTE: The Media refuses to inform America that OBAMA WON TEXAS !!!!!

Visit: http://www.Blacks4Barack.org (a multi-racial organization)

Greg Jones – Blacks4Barack is multi-racial? Does that include whites? From the Home Page, is does not appear to (no whites other than subjects of writings), although some bi-racials, on your Home Page.

Of what races is it inclusive of?

From this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23623222/from/ET/ it seems your Barack is not as excluding of at least one white.

Can you explain? Thanks!!

YEs Florida and Michigan should be counted.
After all over 2 million voters voted and Hilary won big.
I honestly believe that you are against the votes being counted..
Because you are a Black male.
What Geraldine Ferroro said about Barak obama success is because he is black.
She is absolutely right.
He won 92% of the black votes in Mississipi…..in MS 37% of the population is black.
While Hilary in MS won 70% of the white votes.
in South Carolina Obama won 80% of the black votes…and yes 50% of the population is black.
So let reality sinks in.
its time for America to wake up and be realistic.
Obama is a great speaker but not very original.
I have a dream he stole from Martin Luther King.
The same is for hope..but what about Solutions.
Black folks for the most part not all would like to see Obama as the next president of the USA.
Obama won in states like Iowa and Wyoming yes States with over 97% whites.
They looked at Obama as something different and exotic.
Also he reminded them of John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy of the 1960,s.
Hilary is the only candidate..someone in the middle….I would call her a progressive moderate.
She knows how to work with Republicans.
Her universal health care is the only one that would work.
Even Left wing John Edwards in the debate agreed wtih Hillary Clinton that a universal health care must be mandated on all citizens.
Hilary is a sophisticated lady who met many many foreign leaders.
She has far more experience than Barak Hussein Obama.
And she is the one to answer the 3am call.
Geralidine Ferraro helped Hilary Clinton enormously by revealing the truth about Obama political success…He puts on a good show…he would make a great Hollywood actor.A great public speaker a guru who should start a new age church with his friend Oprah Winfrey

The frustration with blogs is that there are many questions, but they don’t get answered…..

Nevertheless: Hilary, Barack, and John Edwards all agreed that Florida and Michigan wouldn’t count. John and Barack didn’t campaign there, nor did their names appear on the ballot. It’s interesting that Hillary proceeded to campaign in a state she knew would not count? Perhaps she knew something that John and Barack didn’t know…. And subsequently only her name appears on the ballot! Will someone ask HER this question? Why would she agree that the votes wouldn’t count, and then campaign there anyway? Why are they saying she won in Florida? There was no contest. She had no competition! Seems llike some games are being played by some well-seasoned, ready-on-day-one politicians…. There’s some pieces of the puzzle still missing!

Why hasn’t anyone except Keith Oberman taken Clinton to task for lying on NPR Morning Edition this week? She said that it was Obama’s “choice” not to participate in the primary in Michigan and denied that she had agreed too but left her name on the ballot anyway. Clinton “chose” to sign an agreement with the DNC regarding these primaries and now she wants to pretend that she didn’t.

Why hasn’t anyone except Keith Oberman taken Clinton to task for lying on NPR Morning Edition this week? She said that it was Obama’s “choice” not to participate in the primary in Michigan and denied that she had agreed too but left her name on the ballot anyway.

The choices available were: Agree to the rules of the party and follow them or don’t agree. Clinton “chose” to sign an agreement with the DNC regarding these primaries and now she wants to pretend that the document didn’t say that she would not participate. She is lying and as usual, the media is afraid to call her on it.

Roland,
First let me say that I am PROUD to see yourself, Jamal and Amy having so much input and influence in the dialogue pertaining to this embarrassing display known as the Democratic Primaries. I am disgusted by Senator Clinton’s statement that the Florida and Michigan results should be validated and the delegates awarded (to her of course). As far as I’m concerned, this speaks clearly to her character. For someone who is such a devout Democrat, she is seriously lacking if 1.) she finds it acceptable that the “rules” of the DNC should be circumvented when the circumstances were clearly stated and 2.) she truly believes that it’s a fair election when only she and a couple of “lesser” candidates are the only choices. How is it fair when you’re real competition complies with the rules and does not campaign and further has their names removed from the ballot. What kind of woman is this? What does this say about how she would handle the business of this country? CHEATING, DECEPTION and the always present VICTIM. First Bill and now Hillary. It’s sad but true: She is not the candidate of change. Just more Washington double-talk to a supposed ignorant American people.

Thank God for u Rowland. U always keep your head on straight. Thanks to u it helps me keep my head on straight and on point. I agree word for word on what u say. I also think there should be some kind of legal ramifications for what the Florida and Michigan legislatures it’s called derilection of duty. They owed it to their voters to insure their votes would be counted instead they gambled it away.

The voice of reason!!! All I want is for the country to have a fair and equitable Presidential race. PLAY BY THE RULES OR STAY HOME. I can live with that. Keep up the good work.

You know, some of you are truly showing your ignorance and your own racism. To read some of what has been posted is sickening, and Roland’s staff should be more viligant in the screening of input that is viewable. Most of you sound like you’re trying to incite a riot among the blacks and whites of America. History is factual, and no amount of highlighting one part verses the totality of it will make it anything other than what it is.

Who is V. Johnson that anyone should be addressing his uninformed, unintelligent, and hate filled comments. He has the freedom of speech as does all according to the Constitution, but nowhere does it say that you have to agree or acknowledge it.

I have said many times that racism is not an airborne virus nor a contagious disease, racism is taught. Like DNA, racism too is pass from generation to generation, until someone or something breaks the chain. This is the twenty-first century and I pray that all of America has gone beyond the mistakes of our past to striving for a better today. History will not be repeated, and blacks are no longer a minority, so the outcome would not be the same anyway.

Never has there been a greater injustice against blacks than that committed by whites with slavery. That is a fact V. Johnson. What is also fact is that slavery in Africa and slavery in what is now known as the U.S. began about the same time, the sixteenth century. Check you history and your facts.

Although I find American History interestin, that isn’t the purpose for this blog. We are suppose to be focusing on the here and now, not the unchangable past. Our economy, the housing market, the wars we are currently engaging in, the rising price of food and gas, the outrageous price of our utilities, the lack of jobs, the unaffordable healthcare, the over priced medicines for seniors, our unsecure borders, the millions of people here illegally, the rise in illegal and prescribed drug abuse, the rise in crimes especially those committed in schools and on college campuses, the list can go on and go. But these are the things that all American, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, social or economic status should be concerned about. These are the things that affect all of us in one way or another.

We should be working to bring our country together instead of stoking the flames that have kept us divided for so long. I don’t care about the color, gender, or political preference of the next president, I want to know who has the best interest of the United States at heart. Who has the best ideas and plans to take this country out of the crisis we are in and get us back to the powerful nation we used to be. What about the families that are broken because their loved ones are serving in war stricken countries to give us the freedoms we have, so we can than sit at home and complain and fight and kill one another at home. If you all are so gun ho’ on killing and violence, why don’t you enlist in one of the armed forces. Your services will be better used there than here in the U. S.

Stop juding people because of color, gender, etc., and look at your own lives and issues. It is the character and integrity I’m worried about with the next president, the level of honesty and fortitude to get the job done.

J. King

I appreciate your thoughtful comments on CNN. I agree that Florida and Michigan blew it and need to sleep in the bed they made. However, I do think that their delegation should be seated. The question is, “on what basis?”

The reason for seating them is this: every state needs to be represented at the convention, no matter what. The consequences for their error should not be banishment, but a non-effect on the race. Thus, the only solution is a 50/50 split of all the available delegates. This does three things:
1) Allows the FL and MI delegations to be seated, 2) contirbutes delegates to each of the candidates and 3) resolves the conflict without altering the results of the campaign and without rewarding the states for their violation of the DNC rules.

The argument is “the voters have been disenfranchised!” No, they have simply been evenly and fairly distributed. Since the voting was skewed in both contests, the actual results are entirely unreliable. The exact opposite outcome might have been the case, had the candidates actually campaigned! No one will every know. By sharing the delegates evenly, the voters do “count,” but they count the same for both candidates.

The campaign who can not agree to a 50/50 split is a campaign that is not trying to “seat” delegates, but one that is deceptively trying to win.

Roland, I just read your commentary on the CNN website, another job well done! You’ve done a wonderful job during your appearances on CNN. You make me very proud…keep up the good work.

I am a Floridian who has voted in every Presidential primary and election since I was old enough to vote in the early 70’s. I was a Clinton supporter during Bill Clinton’s campaigns. I wanted to see how things played out before deciding between Obama, Clinton and Edwards. By the Florida primary, I had become a Barack Obama supporter. I’m very disappointed in the Clintons and the perception that Hillary wants to win the Democratic nomination, at any cost. Anyone would have to surround themselves with experts in various areas to run the country successfully. However, my perception at this point is that Obama is more trustworthy. And I, along with most of the country am READY FOR CHANGE.

2000 was the first Presidential election where my daughter and her friends were able to vote; that was followed up by the debacle of 2004. Then, they’re told that their votes would not count in 2008, so despite my urging them not to pass up this opportunity to vote, they were so discouraged, that they did not bother to vote for the candidate of their choice—Barack Obama! I’m sure this scenario was repeated all over the state of Florida. These poor young people feel as if they have been disenfranchised all along.

If the Democratic nomination is determined by the Superdelegates and they give Clinton the advantage, despite Obama having the majority of Pledged Delegates, it would be the same as Bush stealing the 2000 election. Unless a compromise is reached where both candidates can have a fair shot at the Florida and Michigan delegates, (and that seems very unlikely) I would rather not have the delegates count. I would prefer not to have my state contribute to another stolen election. People seem to forget that it was the Republican leadership in Florida that created this travesty, and the elected Democrats allowed them to get away with it. Like you, I am tired of Charlie Crist trying to make a case to give Hillary the advantage. He has admitted that he would prefer to have her as McCain’s opponent–giving his candidate a better chance of pulling off the upset. I say, Barack the Vote!

Hi Roland. I couldn’t agree with your more. If Florida and Michigan decided to break the rules, then they have to suffer the consequences. If the DNC bends the rules for the two states then we will definitely see a reenactment of this crime again in 4 years. If I lived in Florida or Michigan, I would be waiting in the wings to vote the officials out of office that disenfranchised them in the first place. Keep up the great commentary.

As a black independant voter, looking at the Michigan / Florida mess reminds me of the election of Rutherford B Hayes when he traded his soul to be president and Jim Crow began. If there is a re-vote in Michigan / Florida, I will not be voting a democratic ticket in November. It seems as if when blacks learn the game, the rules are changed, and this not only happens in politics, but all across America. Until America comes to grips with its racial past and dela with it now, we will forever be discussing this issue.

Florida was right to move its primary. Roland nor anyone else has justified the practice of having Iowa and New Hampshire first with the exception of tradition. Rules are rules is a response but not an answer. Whatever happens at the convention and in November will be the fault of the Democratic Party who instead of accomodating states attempts to lord over states. Yes parties can have rules but the current rules are outdated and the current campaign just exposed the stupidity of the rules. In 2012 all of the big states should move their primaries forcing the DNC to modernize. I would like one reason that a vote in Iowa counts 9 times the importance of a vote in Florida or Michigan.

W Johnson – I am not American, but I cannot help noticing how deluded you are in your responses above, especially that on: March 13th, 2008 at 2:15 pm. When Roland makes reference to ‘this nation..’ to you that appears to equate to ‘white people’. Maybe a little history might help your darkened intelligence: White people are not ‘natives’ of America (‘this nation’). As Barack Obama put it ‘America is a nation of immigrants…’. It is so typical of racist thugs that they are so sensitive about every mention of racism in America. If America indeed has done more for indeginous minorities, as ou suggest, what happened to native American Indians? As the Bible says, sometimes it is far wiser to be silent….

Hi Roland. I couldn’t agree with your more. If Florida and Michigan decided to break the rules, then they have to suffer the consequences. If the DNC bends the rules for the two states then we will definitely see a reenactment of this crime again in 4 years. If I lived in Florida or Michigan, I would be waiting in the wings to vote the officials out of office that disenfranchised them in the first place. Keep up the great commentary.

Roland, I watch CNN constantly and your comment and that of Jack Cafferty about Florida not deserving a re-vote is testimony to your bias and bad judgement. Floridians did not vote on HB537. That bill was rigged by the Republican party knowing what the end result would be. Since Barack Obama is adamant about not agreeing to any kind of re-vote in either Michigan or Florida, I and so far 1500 other individuals that I know of right now will be voting for John McCain in November. Since your protigee, Barack Obama has no consideration for the voters, we can do an about face also.

It occurs to me that they were once being punished for violation of the rules, and now will be rewarded by possibly becoming the deciding factor in the entire election. I agree with you Roland, you are a very intelligent man. Split them evenly and seat them and save the money. Wonder who those private donors are they say may pay for it anyhow??

So you think the will of the Floridians and the people of Michigan should not count. Why do you suppose they went to vote. It sure was not for the “hell of it”. Those people were told when to vote and expected their votes to be counted. Just because you think Obama might lose, you don’t think their votes should be counted. A re-vote should be done if you think the previous vote was unfair in any way. What are you Obamans afraid of. Your candidate might lose. It’s a fair process. You should demand, promulgate a re-vote and and may the best candidate win. Whoever wins, wins and no excuses. With this kind of decision, somebody will be bitter about the election just like the 2000 elections in Florida where some of the black votes were not counted.

Concerning the Michigan and Florida delagate situaton! It is truly sad that the votes of the citizens in those two states will not count but there is no one to blame but the elected leaders of their states. It is also funny that when these two states were told by the DNC that if they moved their primary dates that their delagates would not be seated as punishment and Sen Clinton agreed to the rules because at that time she was the presumptive “front runner” Sen. Clinton thought by the end of the so called 1st Super Tuesday that Sen. Obama would drop out of the race for the White House because of who she thought she was. Now that she is loosing and loosing big time she wants to blame Sen. Obama and everyone else for a punishment she agreed to. The Clinton’s will stop at nothing to be residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave again and that shows that if she does still the nomination that this is the type of back door and double edged leadership that we can look forward to if she wins the general election.

Roland Martin for Freedom of Speech?

No. This country was built on laws, flawed but laws. The officials in Michigan and Florida broke the rules. Instead of blaming the black guy, let’s deal with the real problem – corrupt officials.

I am sick of them whining. They should vote out their own state elected officials who got them into this mess.

If they don’t vote in NOV because they are mad, I hope they can get through 4 more years of war and recessions. They played chicken with the DNC and lost and I wish they would just shut up.

Hillary Clinton: “Well, you know, It’s clear, this election they’re having is not going to count for anything”.

But now because she is LOSIN’ she wants them to count? Give me a break. And the people in FL and MI who believe she is really concerned about them are stupid. She has her own agenda and could care less about FL and MI. FL and MI she didn’t care about your votes before.

Hillary opened her mouth too early.
I have a campaign that’s poised and ready for the long term. We’re competing everywhere through February 5. … So I’m in it for the long run. It’s not a very long run. It’ll be” all “over by February 5.” Really Hillary?

Clinton said the matter of Michigan’s delegates boils down to each candidate’s commitment to voting rights and questioned if Obama is committed to “empowering the American people.”
“This is a crucial test,” she said. “Does he mean what he says or not? This is so much crap.

In Florida it was the Republicans that moved up the primary so in FL it was a plan. But the Dems control MI. You have a Democratic Govenor and Democratic Senate so why go against the rules that were laid out already.

They knew the rules and broke them so shut up and quit cryin’. If the rules had been followed this wouldn’t be a problem.

This is a CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE

To deny people of their votes is a CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE. What happened to the Obamas dream of equlity? He is the old wine in new bottle. He is nothing short of fake. Why should some one be scared of Florida and Michigan. I know that would be because they are scared of loosing. Thats why he is trying to suppress their votes.

Obama can you man up and say yes to counting otherwise you will become a ?? QUESTION MARK CANDIDATE ??

To those of you complaining and almost condemning Roland Martin for being so obviously a supporter of Barck Obama, CNN always makes it clear who supports which candidate. Hillary Clinton supporters are identified, as are Barack Obama’s. And there are some who profess to have not supported any candidate, yet their comments are often biased. I prefer to listen to someone who is upfront about which candidate he/she supports.

And if you carefully read the disclosure on Roland’s homepage, it says that he does not represent the views of CNN, or something like that.

If you want unbiased reporting, I say good luck to you, you will be hard pressed to find it. At least respect Mr. Martin’s honesty.

Florida needs to wake up, along with many other Americans. As they are blaming the Democrats for their problem when it was their Republican elected official that changed the date.

Maybe they need to not vote him back in.

Everyone’s always point fingers so let’s point it in the right direction.

My biggest problem with the revote is that there were rules in place. Senator Clinton agreed to these rules and said that Florida and Michigan would not count. Now, she is making a big issues out of it, not because she really cares about the voters, but because she needs their votes. If she was so concerned about them, she should have shown how much she cared before she really needed them. She keeps putting it out there in the media that it is Obama’s fault that the votes are not being counted and I think that this is unfair to Obama, since there was an agreement. I think that each time she blames this on Obama, he should come back and remind her that she only cares about the voters of Florida and Michigan now, because she needs their votes, not because she really cares about them as voters. To me, it like telling someone that you really love them, when you really don’t, except for the fact that you now need them.

Roland there are millions of us in Florida who don’t want a revote. The media potrays all Floridians as wanting a revote and saying we feel that we have been disenfranchised. Absolutely. The Florida DNC was told it was in all the major papers in Florida that they would loose is they broke the rules and they defied them anyway thinking that the DNC would back down and seat the delegates.

Florida and Michigan got just what they deserved. Many of us only voted because they had admendment 29 to lower Property Taxes for all Floridans. This was pushed and promoted by the Gov, who had no means to pay for the legislation but kept coming on TV bragging that Florida passed this bill to give its citizens tax relief. Many of us voted against the bill because we knew that the school system as well as other state, city and local jobs would be lost. Guess what we now learn that our school system will be hit and the City of Tamp has already announced that they are laying off many lower level workers to accomodate this change. This was irresponsible on the part of the Gov yet he is being praised for this bill. There was no budget at the time of it’s passing and there is no budget now, thus many will loose jobs to give the voters of Florida on an average $300 property tax relief in any given year.

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Florida, Michigan don’t deserve revote, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article t deserve revote, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.