The head of the Democratic Party warned Thursday that Republican John McCain will become president if Democrats do not equitably resolve election disputes in Florida and Michigan.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is rejecting Hillary Clinton’s demand to reinstate delegates that the DNC stripped from Florida and Michigan for holding their primaries too early. Clinton wants the delegates seated even though she and Barack Obama agreed not to campaign in the two states and Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan.
“If I violate the rules, I essentially throw the integrity of the nominating process out the window and half the Democratic Party goes away angry,” Dean told CNN. “That is the only thing that could make John McCain president – if the Democrats get divided.”
But Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said it was unthinkable for Democrats to nominate a presidential candidate at their August convention in Denver without the input of two important states.
“The voters of Michigan and Florida have spoken, that those votes ought to count, and the delegations ought to be seated,” Wolfson told reporters on a conference call.
Obama, who received fewer votes than Clinton in the unsanctioned elections that Florida and Michigan held in January, opposes that scenario. There is now growing talk of holding new contests, perhaps in June, although no one seems willing to foot the bill, which could exceed $20 million.
Dean said the DNC must husband its money for efforts to defeat McCain. He suggested the financial onus is on the state parties in Florida and Michigan.
“We’re not going to have the resources to run a primary in Michigan or Florida,” he said. “They’re going to have to figure out how to pay for it.”
Typically, primary election costs are paid by state governments, while caucus costs are paid by state parties.
“The Democratic National Committee should pay for it,” said Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican. “It’s not fair that the taxpayers should pay for it.”
