DNC 2008 conventions Rule 11A “Delegate Selection Rule” basically dictated when various states could hold their primaries---As we know, MI and FL broke these rules—BUT—So did Iowa, NH, and South Carolina
Obviously none of those states were stripped of their delegates
All states should have been punished under Rule 20.c.1.a—and all delegates AND super delegates in those states would be reduced by 50%.

However, under Rule 20.c.5 and 20.c.6, the DNC Rules & Bylaws Cttee has the authority to “impose sanctions the committee deems appropriate”
Which they exercised in FL and MI by stripping them of all their delegates; and in IA, NH and SC by stripping none of them.

http://www.democracyfornewhampshire.com/node/view/5465

Now, to me, this seems very strange, indeed. Since there were clear consequences spelled out already (50% loss)--it seems strange that ALL the delegates were lost in 2 states HRC won (MI & FL) and NONE of the delegates were lost in 2 states Obama won (IA, SC)
The delegates were counted in one state HRC won (NH)—however there was no statistical difference/advantage in NH to either candidate since the margin of victory was so small. (Clinton: 39%; Obama 37%--both received 12 delegates)

However, the margin of victory in FL and MI were much greater:
Florida
Clinton: 50% 106 delegates
Obama: 33% 67 delegates

Michigan:
Clinton: 55% 86 delegates
Obama/uncommitted: 40% 62 delegates

Florida is perfectly straightforward; both were on the ballot, neither campaigned (although Obama ran TV ads)
“The state ran afoul of the committee’s new primary rules when it decided to adhere to a new [FL] state law that moved the primary to Jan. 29, in violation of the DNC rule preventing unapproved states from holding a nominating contest before Feb. 5. The rules committee officially found the delegate selection plan Florida submitted to be in noncompliance Saturday when it adopted [Ralph] Dawson's resolution.
Florida party representatives argued unsuccessfully that they should be given an exemption and not be punished because they had taken “provable, positive steps” to obey the rule, but they were unsuccessful because of the actions of a Republican controlled legislature and a Republican governor.“We’re asking for mercy, not judgment,” Florida DNC member Jon Ausman told the committee.”
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/dnc-tells-florida-dems...plan-2007-08-25.html

So who is Ralph Dawson that brought the resolution not to seat the FL delegation? Mr. Dawson is an uncommitted delegate from NY (rare in Hillaryland) and Howard Dean’s former college roommate. He has given $1250 to Obama; $450 to Clinton. He is on both the Rules Cttee and the Credentials Cttee (critical to deciding who gets seated at the convention). As many of you know, Obama shill Donna Brazile was also named to this cttee as well.
http://www.observer.com/2008/patient-uncommitted-superd...ew-york-ralph-dawson
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/nyregion/13about.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin

In, Michigan as John Fout points out in “The Street” 4/1/08 (http://www.thestreet.com/story/10410164/1/electability-is-name-of-the-game.html) Obama chose to remove his name from the ballot as part of his campaign's strategy to focus resources on South Carolina--Clinton was leading by double digits in both states. Although Obama and Edwards removed their names from the ballot, it's not true that Clinton’s was the only name on the ballot; Kucinich, Dodd and Gravel were also listed.

Oops, I thought it was a "vast rightwing conspiracy" based aroubd Karl Rove that was trying to get Senator Obama elected. But it turns out that it was the DNC (why would they do that?) and Clinton supporters such as Donna Brazille. Actually, I think Karl Rove and company teamed up with the DNC to give us Senator Obama. After all, it just couldn't be the voters, now could it? (Get real?)

Actually, in all of this conspiracy nonsense, I found a kernel of truth in the last few sentences. The DNC undoubtedly came down so hard on Michigan in order to deny Gravel, Dodd, and Kucinich, the nomination.

Donna brazille is playing games with the delegates, a page out of the Rove handbook.She should allow the delegates to be counted even though it will mean a big loss for O.playing favorites with her candidate should not be the Democratic way.