Primary Do-Over Chances Collapse in Michigan

Hopes for a new primary vanish as Senate adjourns
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 20, 2008 7:20 PM CDT
Primary Do-Over Chances Collapse in Michigan
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center Arena in Beckley, W.V., Thursday.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Chances of a new primary being held in Michigan all but disappeared today as the state Senate adjourned without taking action, the Detroit Free Press reports. Senate leaders said it was pointless to take up the plan because the Clinton and Obama camps disagreed on how to go about it. Most observers considered today the last chance to act because the Senate now leaves on spring recess.

Hillary Clinton reacted strongly, saying that if delegates from Michigan and Florida aren't seated, the "legitimacy" of the nominee will be in question. She won the now-discounted primaries in both states. Barack Obama said he'd continue to work to try to seat the delegates but will abide by party rules. His camp today suggested splitting Michigan's 156 delegates between the candidates, the AP notes. But Clinton's team rejected the idea and suggested a mail-in re-vote. A similar idea for Florida fell flat. (More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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