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Clinton Stays, 4 Leave Michigan Primary Vote

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By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN, The Associated Press

Published: October 10, 2007

LANSING, Mich. - Four Democratic candidates have withdrawn from Michigan's Jan. 15 presidential primary, leaving what amounts to a beauty contest for front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and a handful of lesser-knowns.

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson filed paperwork Tuesday, the deadline to withdraw from the ballot, said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Michigan secretary of state's office. A fourth candidate, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, said in a statement that he was bypassing the primary.

Although Michigan is a critical Midwest state in presidential voting, it violated Democratic National Committee rules by moving its primary earlier in the process. The candidates are honoring DNC wishes in skipping the contest.

Clinton broke with the leading candidates. Her campaign issued a statement saying she will remain on the ballot. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut also plans to stay on the ballot.

'We're honoring the pledge, and we won't campaign or spend money in states that aren't in compliance with the DNC calendar,' said Clinton spokesman Jay Carson.

'We don't think it's necessary to remove ourselves from the ballot,' Carson said.

All Democratic candidates have agreed not to campaign in Michigan because it broke DNC rules when it moved its primary ahead of Feb. 5. Rules say states cannot hold 2008 primaries before Feb. 5, except for Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Nothing like the Michigan withdrawal from the ballot is likely to happen in Florida.

According to state Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski, candidates couldn't remove their names from the Florida ballot unless they signed a statement saying they weren't running for president.

State Democratic Party leaders are responsible for officially informing elections authorities what names should go on the presidential primary ballot, Bubriski said, and 'We intend to have their names listed on the ballot.'

In New Hampshire, Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley welcomed the developments. 'Today's turn of events only further amplifies the fact that the Michigan primary is irrelevant,' Buckley said in a statement.

As punishment for breaking the rules, the DNC has vowed to strip Michigan and Florida, which scheduled its contest on Jan. 29, of their delegates. Florida has 210 delegates, Michigan 156.

'It's yet another reason why we need to get rid of Iowa and New Hampshire going first,' said Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer.

Tribune reporter William March contributed to this report.

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