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Democrats reject Michigan primary | Democrats reject Michigan primary |
(30 minutes later) | |
Four Democratic presidential candidates have pulled out of Michigan's primary election because it broke party rules in setting a date of 15 January 2008. | Four Democratic presidential candidates have pulled out of Michigan's primary election because it broke party rules in setting a date of 15 January 2008. |
Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson have filed paperwork to take their names off the state ballot. Joe Biden also says he will withdraw. | Barack Obama, John Edwards and Bill Richardson have filed paperwork to take their names off the state ballot. Joe Biden also says he will withdraw. |
The Democratic candidates had already all agreed not to campaign in Michigan after it jumped ahead in the calendar. | The Democratic candidates had already all agreed not to campaign in Michigan after it jumped ahead in the calendar. |
It is not among the four states allowed to hold primaries before 5 February. | It is not among the four states allowed to hold primaries before 5 February. |
They are Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. | They are Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. |
In a presidential election year, states hold primaries, an election where voters indicate a preference for a candidate, and caucuses, party meetings to endorse candidates, to choose Democratic and Republican nominees. | In a presidential election year, states hold primaries, an election where voters indicate a preference for a candidate, and caucuses, party meetings to endorse candidates, to choose Democratic and Republican nominees. |
Candidates who do not do well in early elections tend to drop out, so giving the states which decide first a greater say in the electoral process. | Candidates who do not do well in early elections tend to drop out, so giving the states which decide first a greater say in the electoral process. |
'Very disappointed' | 'Very disappointed' |
Other Democratic candidates have until the end of the day to decide whether they, too, will withdraw from Michigan's nomination process. | |
CURRENT KEY DATES 14 Jan: Iowa caucuses15 Jan: Michigan primary19 Jan: South Carolina primary (Rep)22 Jan: New Hampshire primary29 Jan: Florida primary; South Carolina primary (Dem)5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey Quick guide: US election Primary and caucus dates Front-runner Hillary Clinton's campaign issued a statement saying she would remain on the ballot. | |
Michigan's Democrats could still decide to revert to their original plan to hold a caucus on 9 February. | Michigan's Democrats could still decide to revert to their original plan to hold a caucus on 9 February. |
Responding to the candidates' withdrawal, Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Jason Moon refused to speculate on whether the party would change its date. | Responding to the candidates' withdrawal, Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Jason Moon refused to speculate on whether the party would change its date. |
"We're very disappointed and this is another example of why the monopoly that Iowa and New Hampshire have must end," he told the Associated Press news agency. | "We're very disappointed and this is another example of why the monopoly that Iowa and New Hampshire have must end," he told the Associated Press news agency. |
Barack Obama's campaign said the decision to withdraw from Michigan's contest was an extension of the pledge made to the DNC not to campaign in the state. | |
"We still hope that Michigan Democrats can adopt a process that meets DNC rules," a spokesman said. | |
A spokesman for John Edwards's campaign said he was committed to protecting Iowa's role in the primary process. | |
Delegates lost | |
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has promised to punish states that try to jump ahead of 5 February. | The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has promised to punish states that try to jump ahead of 5 February. |
Michigan and Florida, which moved to 29 January, have been told they may lose all their delegates to the Democratic nominating convention next year. | |
The Republican National Committee has also warned states they face sanctions if they seek to flout the rules. | The Republican National Committee has also warned states they face sanctions if they seek to flout the rules. |
However, it has not asked its candidates not to campaign in Michigan. A televised Republican debate is scheduled to take place in the state on Tuesday. | However, it has not asked its candidates not to campaign in Michigan. A televised Republican debate is scheduled to take place in the state on Tuesday. |
Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally first to hold their contests, are still discussing whether they will move their dates forward to the New Year holiday or even late December. | Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally first to hold their contests, are still discussing whether they will move their dates forward to the New Year holiday or even late December. |
New Hampshire has a state law determining that its primary be held at least a week before any other state's, while Iowa has a state law that it must be the first to hold any kind of voting procedure. | New Hampshire has a state law determining that its primary be held at least a week before any other state's, while Iowa has a state law that it must be the first to hold any kind of voting procedure. |
That means the Iowa caucuses must come before the New Hampshire primary in the electoral calendar. | That means the Iowa caucuses must come before the New Hampshire primary in the electoral calendar. |