Potential Compromise on Florida/Michigan Delegates

At this point in time I don’t think there is any solution to the debate over the delegates from Michigan and Florida that would truly make everyone happy. In today’s Washington Post, however, David Broder wrote an Op-Ed that discusses one possibility that I think has some real merit.

So here is the Naughton plan: Because Florida and Michigan both knowingly violated the party rules, they must be punished by having the size of their delegations cut in half. But he would let the 183 remaining delegates chosen in the disputed primaries take their seats and vote on the platform or almost any other issue — except those that impact directly on the presidential nomination.

My first impression of this suggestion was that it was a great comprise because both Florida and Michigan would have to face the consequences of breaking DNC rules, but also allows them to have a say in the direction the party will take. This is crucial because it essentially means that the grassroots activists who will serve as delegates won’t be punished for a decision by a few leaders of the state parties.

That being said, there is still the problem of how some voters will still feel disenfranchised because their delegates won’t be able to vote on issues relating to the presidential nomination. In the end this means that there will be people disappointed in the way the situation. Since they will still have the opportunity to vote on issues important to the Democratic Party, however, I imagine the bitterness will be significantly less than if the delegates from Florida and Michigan hadn’t been seated at all.

In a situation where there just doesn’t seem to be a way to please everyone and a revote isn’t likely to happen, this seems like one of the fairest compromises I’ve seen yet. Of course I’m always interested in hearing some other options that people might have to propose.