SNEAK PEEK: The Madness of March
A new Michigan primary is looking unlikely and follows the fate of Florida.
March 19, 2008— -- Rank the following in order of most likely to happen to least likely to happen:
1. North Carolina is upset by Mount St. Mary's
2. Michigan holds a do-over primary
3. Barack Obama goes against his right hand man Reggie Love in his NCAA bracket and picks West Virginia over Duke this weekend at the Verizon Center.
4. Reverend Wright headlines a National Prayer Breakfast in the Obama Administration
5. Jon Wallace/Roy Hibbert – Dream Ticket 2028
6. Dozens of smoking gun headlines in the 11,000 pages released from the Clinton Library today
7. The Clinton campaign argues for the Michigan and Florida basketball teams to be allowed into the NCAA Tournament so their fans aren't disenfranchised
8. John McCain admits he's never quite figured out that Sunni/Shia thing
9. President Clinton decides to become an uncommitted superdelegate, just for the media attention
10. A perfect bracket on espn.com
Hillary Clinton traveled to Michigan today to make an in-person challenge to Barack Obama to accept draft legislation for a do-over primary there.
The possibility of that mulligan Michigan primary is looking unlikely and follows the fate of Florida. The Obama campaign has raised its concerns but has not yet declared its opposition to the new primary. But logistics, procedural challenges and the Obama campaign's running out the clock all point to no do-over.
ABC News' Eloise Harper reports that Clinton announced that she has accepted the primary proposal and said, "I call on Senator Obama to do the same. This is a crucial test, does he mean what he says or not? And I am pleased and grateful that on this issue the people of Michigan have had such outstanding advocates in their democratic leaders."
Clinton said not counting the votes from voters in Michigan and Florida "is wrong and, frankly, it is un-American." Clinton added, "I am here for one simple reason: to make sure Michigan's votes are counted."
ABC News' Teddy Davis reports that even though prospects for a re-vote in Michigan are bleak, the Michigan Gang of Four issued a statement indicating that it has not yet given up on its push for a new vote.
From Sen. Carl Levin, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and DNC Member Debbie Dingell:
"We believe that the best hope of achieving this objective is the passage of the bill before the State Legislature creating a state-run primary in early June, which would not use any state funding. The Democratic National Committee has indicated that this legislation would meet their requirements for the seating of Michigan's delegates. We also believe that passage of this legislation is important to carrying Michigan for our Democratic Party nominee in November."
"We urge the State Legislature to act on this bill."
To illustrate how critical Michigan and Florida are for the Clinton campaign, look at the popular vote when it includes the two states:
For a difference of 102,678 votes.
At a rally in Michigan, Clinton urges Obama to match his "words with actions." LINK
Obama Assails Rivals on Iraq
Obama knocks '08 opponents and proposes more "integrated" approach to war plan. LINK
Fight! 'The View' Gets Hot About Race
Hasselbeck rips Obama for not separating himself from his spiritual adviser. LINK
Conversations About Race
Peggy Noonan and Juan Williams disagree on Sen. Barack Obama's speech. LINK
Bush Address on Iraq War Anniversary
President on 5 Year War Mark: 'This is a fight that American can and must win." LINK
Bush: Arabs Join with US to Fight Al Qaeda
President Bush says surge opened door for "strategic victory" in Iraq. LINK
The Bottom Line on Obama's Speech
George Stephanopoulos analyzes the Illinois senator's political damage control. LINK
Obama's Moment
Barack Obama gives the defining speech of his political life. LINK
Cheney on Iraq: 'Major Success'
The vice president addresses questions on Iraq and the U.S. economy. LINK
Obama Takes on the Racial DivideThe Illinois senator does not consider his speech a "make or break" moment. LINK
Intern for the ABC News Political Unit:
The ABC News Political Unit is now seeking three full-time summer interns in Washington, D.C.
The internship begins Monday, May 19, and runs through Friday, Aug. 22.
Not only do Political Unit interns attend political events and contribute to The Note and the politics page of ABCNews.com, they also help us by conducting research, maintaining contact lists, and updating the political schedule.
In order to apply, you MUST be either a graduate student or an undergraduate student who has completed his or her first year of college. The internship is NOT open to recent graduates.
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