Democrats to Michigan: No Votes for You

The Democratic Party today voted to strip Michigan of all its delegates to the Democratic National Convention, a widely expected and possibly temporary punishment for bumping up the state’s primary. Candidates have already agreed not to campaign in Michigan, and some—including Obama and Edwards—have removed themselves from the ballot. But Michigan officials believe the eventual nominee will re-instate the delegates.

Both parties are trying to clamp down on primary calendar leapfroggers, the AP reports. Democrats imposed the same penalty on Florida, while the Republicans cut delegations in half for five states, including Michigan and Florida, but continue to campaign there. “I think it is unconscionable that we continue to grant special treatment to some states,” said Michigan’s Democratic Chairman. (More Election 2008 stories.)