In Democrats' race, it's Clinton vs. 'uncommitted'
Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News
Sonnie Williams summed up Michigan's marginalized Democratic primary better than any TV pundit could.
"That doesn't seem right," said Williams, 36, a Detroit cosmetologist. "I can't vote for the person I want?"
That's about it for Williams and other supporters of Barack Obama or John Edwards, two top Democratic candidates not on the ballot here. Hillary Clinton is the only major Democratic candidate on today's ballot. The truncated candidate list is fallout from the confrontation between Michigan and the national political parties over the state's move into the early part of the campaign calendar.
While all the Democratic candidates except Ohio U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich adhered to party edicts and refused to campaign in Michigan, Clinton is alone among major candidates to leave her name on the ballot. Now, supporters for her foes are seeking revenge. Few analysts doubt that Clinton won't win, but that has not stopped her opponents from trying to cut into Clinton's vote total by mounting a last-ditch push for Democrats to vote "uncommitted."
U.S. media largely absent
Obama and Edwards, competing with Clinton for the Democratic nomination, took their names off the Michigan ballot in October, saying that was the best way to honor their pledge not to campaign in Michigan. And national Democratic Party officials have penalized Michigan by barring the state's delegates from the national convention this summer.
Though it's likely the delegates eventually will be allowed to attend, the combination of factors has left Michigan with a non-contest being largely ignored by the national media.
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