The new Clinton idea that it is up to the campaigns to decide what to do about Florida could be the biggest, most vexing power grab that they have mustered yet.
Because there are no good solutions left, because a full re-do appears to be out of the question, it's an unabashed power-play, a tussle for say-so, not a result. Here's why.
But, when the contest becomes an all-out, public power-play about the rules of the contest itself, then it is time to be talking seriously about shutting it down, even if that risks a backlash at the polls.
First, it puts her campaign (and her attempt to involve the Obama campaign) ahead of the party. You know, there were 48 other states and Puerto Rico that played by the rules, including the spirit of the rules. This is NOT an issue for the campaigns alone. It is an issue of party-level politics. Were you fooled by the coy coziness of a hand-written letter? I was not.It is sheer brinksmanship, if you believe that Florida might be 'in play' this year in the general, if her message makes her popular alone among Floridians. Michigan too. To his credit, Obama has, so far, resisted making these kinds of brinksman gambits (he has some that he could make).
What's worst is that its based on more than one falsehood. First, propagating the falsehood that the election results were 'fair' or indicative. They were not (people who might have voted may not have, knowing their vote wouldn't count). Second, that someone is disenfranchising voters. I don't know how it all went down in detail, but it sounds like those people disenfranchised themselves, by their own choices. Where's the 'injustice' in that? What about the justice for the rest of us who waited our turn?)
I've been letting the contest ride, with some qualifications. I'm also for letting politicians face the electorate, head on.
But, when the contest becomes an all-out, public power-play about the rules of the contest itself, then it is time to be talking seriously about shutting it down, even if that risks a backlash at the polls. When there seems to be no workable solution(s), short of expensive re-dos that some believe cannot even be done with the money, it's time to question the value of the debate.
