Clinton Backers: DNC committee does not have to listen to the lawyers

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/29/2008-05-29_hillary_clinton_tries_to_wrest_michigan_.html

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Clinton appears to be fighting an uphill battle on the committee, though, after party lawyers released memos Wednesday suggesting a strong option is giving the states half their delegates - not enough to keep Clinton going.

But Ickes and another Clinton backer on the committee, former Democratic Party boss Don Fowler, argued the committee does not have to listen to the lawyers.

"The rules committee can do what it wants," said Fowler.

...

Sources said the campaign was still weighing how far to take its fight, but it's entirely in Clinton's hands.

Whatever the rules referees decide, she can appeal to the committee that hands out convention credentials, which meets later. Under party rules, it takes just one-fifth of that group to let Clinton take the Michigan-Florida fight all the way to the convention.

http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/nation/ny-uscamp295705807may29,0,7211049.story

RULES AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE

MEMBERS 30

Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters: 13

Barack Obama supporters: 8

No known endorsement: 7

Co-chairs (no endorsement): 2



THE ISSUE

Whether the Florida and Michigan delegations should be seated after the states held their primaries early. Clinton won both states and wants the votes counted.



WHAT'S NEXT

If the challenges are voted down Saturday, appeals could be made to the party's 186-member credentials committee. Even if it is forced to decide on the dispute, 20 percent of the committee could file a minority report. The issue then would go before the Democratic National Convention in August.