At this moment, this country has just made history. We have an African American male as the Democratic nominee for the President ofthe United States. At this historic time, we as African American women have a crucial role and voice in impacting policy to create a better reality, not only for ourselves for generations to come. Our vote can change the discourse and impact the policy direction of our country. To do this, we must be knowledgeable and aware of the facts around the 2008 presidential elections. Whether you identify as conservative or progressive; grassroots or affluent; feminist orwomanist; Republican, Independent, Green Party or Democrat this maybe the most significant presidential election of our lifetime.
What really happened at Last Saturday's Democratic Party Meeting, What is Happening Now? And Why It is Important to Black Women
To Be or Not To Be Counted: The Democratic Party Rules and Bylaws Committee Decision
Over the last several weeks this country has endured intense political pulse among the candidates regarding seating both Florida and Michigan delegates to the Democratic National Convention to be held in August 2008. Both campaigns argued that Florida and Michigan should be seated. However, the disagreement was how many. So, how did it come to this? Where is this Election headed?
In August 2006, the party voted to approve rules on the selection of delegates to the convention and on the timing of primaries and caucuses. The party also decided to add rules condemning any state that jumps before the timing. The party decided to add four states (Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina) to hold their primaries and caucuses before February 5, 2008. Why Nevada and South Carolina? This decision was based on including states that reflect the socio and racial demographics of the country. Historically, Iowa and New Hampshire started the schedule of caucuses and primaries, and decided the nominee. As we know, both Iowa and New Hampshire are predominately white. So the party decided to include Nevada for its growing Latin@ American community, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, labor and the voice of the entire western region. Then the party decided South Carolina to include African Americans. Once the rules were approved, Democratic presidential candidates at that time including both Clinton and Obama pledged that they will not campaign in these states prior to Super Tuesday.
Nonetheless, both Florida and Michigan decided in 2007 to hold their primaries before February 8, 2008 in spite of the DNC primary and caucus schedule and rules. As a result, in August 2007, the DNC rules and bylaws committee decided to withhold all 210 delegates from Florida. In December 2007, the committee also decided to withhold of156 delegates from Michigan. In defense of Florida, the decision to hold the primary before February 8th was decided by a Republican controlled state legislatures. In April 2006, Michigan applied to be considered to be one of the states alongside Iowa and New Hampshire. Michigan State Party adopted a plan for the 2008 Delegate Selection based upon February 9, 2008 state-party run primary. In June 27, 2007, legislation was introduced in the Michigan legislature to move the date of the primary to January 2008. This led to a violation of DNC rules.
On January 18, 2008, Michigan held its primary and Obama, John Edwards, Senator Joe Biden and Bill Richardson removed their names from the ballot. Clinton remained on the ballot. According to reports, Obama asked his supporters to vote "uncommitted" on the ballot to give him votes. However, Clinton won the Michigan primary with 55% of the vote to 40% uncommitted. On January 29, 2008, Clinton won the Florida primary with 50%, while Obama had 33% and Edwards 14%.
Now for a candidate to be considered the party's nominee, the candidate will need majority of delegates attending the Democratic National Convention. Thus the nominee will need 2,118. Clinton has argued that both Florida and Michigan should be seated and counted at the 2008 Democratic Convention. This is due to Obama being ahead of Clinton in delegates. In March 2008, Florida Democratic members decided to challenge the national party's rules seeking to reinstate Florida's delegation. In April 2008, the party decided that some delegates from Florida and Michigan will be seated. At the same time,a DNC member files a challenge seeking to reinstate Michigan's delegates. As a result, the Democratic Party's rules and bylaws committee decided to meet on Saturday, May 31, 2008 in Washington, DC. The hearing was to hear Florida and Michigan arguments to appeal the ruling to invalidate its delegates.
The committee heard arguments from Florida State Democrats including US Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and African American female Florida State Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (D-FL). The committee also arguments from Michigan Democrats including US Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and Former Congressman David Bonior (D-MI).
After hours of deliberation, the committee decided to seat all of theFlorida and Michigan delegates giving them half votes. To the dismay of Clinton supporters, Clinton received 38 delegates in Michigan and 56.5 in Florida. This did not give her enough to clinch the nomination. Obama received 32 delegates in Michigan including committed super delegates (elected officials) and 36 in Florida. Clinton supporters argued that her votes were given away to Obama since he was not on the ballot in Michigan. Obama supporters felt that the process was fair.
Sisters at the decision table -
Democratic Party Rules and Bylaws committee consists of thirty members including the following African American women: 1. Alexis Herman Co-Chair (Virginia) 2. Donna Brazile (Washington, DC) 3. Hartina Flournoy (Washington, DC) 4. Yvonne Atkinson Gates (Nevada) 5. Janice Griffin (Maryland) 6. Alice Huffman (California)
Each of them had their say during the meeting. They are the movers and shakers in this country that will be even more powerful sinceObama has enough delegates to claim the nomination. This means that more African American women will be at the table to reflect our interest and concerns.
What it means to African American Women
This whole process was not decided by the usual suspects of whitemen. It was decided by a diverse group of people that cuts across all socioeconomic, gender, racial demographics. This decision and the campaign to follow will be affected by people of color. The power is shifting. This country is moving into a new direction. Policy making will change. We as black women will need to stay on course to be part of this change and make our voices heard during the election and afterwards. In the next few weeks, a new blog will be created to continue and expand this dialogue.
Womenfolk is a blog for and by African American women to review, analyze and express concerns not only with issues within the Black community, but also national and international issues from an African American female perspective. We are not monolithic. Our views are vast. We are not silent on the issues. We are well versed and ready to address the tough issues.
The 2008 presidential race is the catalyst for the discussion on this blog. The media and other electronic avenues of public opinion have presented a perspective of the issues and candidates. Now, we are here to present ours. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to move toward a more inclusive America!
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