Taylor Marsh – TaylorMarsh.com – News, Opinion and Weblog on Progressive Politics

Obama, Edwards and Richardson have decided that Iowa is all, so they’ve pulled
out of the Democratic primary in Michigan. This is horrific politics, especially
if you’re looking long-term and towards the general election. You know, thinking
about something beyond your own presidential possibilities. Dodd and Clinton
are in.

Giving the finger to Michigan is just nuts. Sucking up to Iowa and ignoring Michigan’s importance in the general election is also plain stupid.

Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson decided today not to take part in the Democratic primary in Michigan. But Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is way ahead in the polls there, has decided to stay in. “We don’t think it’s necessary to remove ourselves from the ballot,” said Jay Carson, a Clinton campaign spokesman. He said the campaign would still honor its pledge not to campaign in Michigan. Why would the other campaigns drop out of a major battleground state less than three months before the voting is to begin? One big reason is the pressure on these candidates from Iowa and New Hampshire, and to a lesser extent South Carolina and Nevada, which are furious with Michigan (and Florida) for muscling into the early primary lineup in violation of the rules. Michigan has been seething for years that little Iowa and New Hampshire have had such a big role in shaping the nominations, saying they aren’t representative of the rest of the country. … .. Three Democrats Pull From Michigan, Clinton Stays In

Dodd continues to get it. If he was better known he’d be getting a lot more
traction in the primaries. That’s his biggest challenge, which is a tall hill
to surmount. Because if people looked at him on the issues they’d be impressed.
Give his bankruptcy
bill reform legislation a look. Also see Senator
Dodd’s guest post here on habeas corpus. Then there’s his
position on Iraq, which is much better than the top three candidates, as
well as Richardson’s.

As for Clinton, she’s thinking long-term and looking towards the general election
and what could happen to Democrats if we stiff arm Michigan. If we’re facing
Romney, that’s a real issue, because Michigan is home turf for Slick Mitt. Edwards
and Obama should be thinking the same way. However, because they’re tied to
the outcome in Iowa they’re obviously scared to leave; that applies doubly to
Edwards. But it’s pathetic.

Oh, and on another front, did
you Obama fans see this?