It seems obvious now that there is majority support for the solution supported by the Michigan Democratic Party. That would mean 69 delegates for Hillary Clinton and 59 for Barack Obama (with each delegate getting one-half vote).
But Harold Ickes (and, by extension, Hillary Clinton) are very unhappy. “I am stunned that we have the gall and the chutzpah to substitute our judgment for 600,000 voters,” Ickes said. He used the word “hijack” a lot, and said “Hijacking four delegates is not a good way to start down the path to party unity.” The big news of the day was the final words of Ickes’ argument: “Mrs. Clinton has instructed me to reserve her rights to take this to the credentials committee.” If the crowd in the meeting room is any indication, Mrs. Clinton’s supporters want her to exercise that right.
It could be a bluff. But make no mistake: if Hillary Clinton takes this dispute to the credentials committee, she’ll be going to the mattresses. Most of the top leaders of the Democratic party have indicated that they do not support this process extending to the convention. If Clinton wants to go down that road, she’ll face a lot of opposition.
Before the final vote, Michigan Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer got a final chance to speak in favor of the motion supporting the party’s 69-59 split. He thanked the committee for its consideration and promised to work hard for the Democratic nominee.
The measure passed, 19-8.
Now it’s time to wait and see how the Clinton campaign responds. If Ickes’ speech opposing the motion was any indication, they won’t respond well.
