How Michigan Democrats can best use their votes

When Michigan's Supreme Court decided it was alright for the state to hold its primaries on Jan. 15, the move was against party rules and the state paid for its sins. In response to the state's early primary, Republicans lost half their delegates, reducing their number to 30. While state Democrats lost all of their 157 delegates.

As a result, the only candidates on the ballot for the Democrats are: Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, uncommitted and write-in, an overwhelmingly unimpressive collection. Because of this, Michigan Democrats face some interesting questions. Should they stay home if their Democratic candidate is not on the ballot? Vote for another Democratic candidate? Or use their vote to help try and sway the Republican results in way favorable to Democrats?

Many speculate that Michigan's delegates will eventually be seated. But because of the uncertainty, the Michigan Democratic Party is encouraging state Democrats to vote uncommitted. An uncommitted vote sends delegates to the national convention which are not bound to support a specific candidate. Rep. John Conyers, an Obama supporter, has begun running radio ads telling Obama supporters to vote undecided. Both pro-Edwards and pro-Obama groups have been hitting the ground going door-to-door and promoting the undecided cause. Reminiscent of Richard Pryor in Brewster's Million..."Vote none of the above."

The two campaigns are gitty about uncommitted, because according to Michigan law if over 15 percent of voters statewide, or in any district, vote uncommitted, the corresponding percentage of delegates can back any candidate. Both campaigns are hoping that Michigan's delegates will be re-seated, thus giving them a chance to get Michigan delegates without spending anytime, or money, there.

The Michigan Democratic Party is also behind the uncommitted push.

But, is that's what is best for Democratic voters in Michigan? There is no assurance that an uncommitted delegate will vote for who you support. Would it not be better to cast your ballot for who you think is second best, Democrat or Republican (remember, its an open primary), and have some influence over the impact of your vote? Rather, Democrats in Michigan are asked to vote uncommitted, potentially creating a delegate that is in no way bound to the voters will, in essence, creating another super delegate. It actually seems like Edwards, Obama and MDP are advocating an option that is contrary to voter interest.

Another angle may also lurk here. If enough voters vote for uncommitted, rather than for Hillary, it could be seen as a victory for the Obama and Edwards campaigns. Voters throwing their vote away in place of voting for Clinton, yeah that's a win.

I can not tell anyone what to do with their vote, that is for them to decide. But one thing I would recommend is do not cast your vote based on what Obama, Edwards or MDP says, look at the ballot decide who you think is next best and control your vote. Or just vote uncommitted, whatever.

An informative, yet boring, explanation of Michigan's Democratic Primary by Democratic Committee Chair Mark Brewer: