Mich. Primary Move Splits Democrats

Michigan's political leaders were disappointed not to be added to the first four but went along, expecting that other states would abide by the new calendar. When the dates started to shift -- and particularly when Gardner said New Hampshire would move up -- they considered the deal broken.

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Levin and Debbie Dingell took their case to DNC Chairman Howard Dean last month, complaining that he was standing by silently as New Hampshire broke its promise. They asked Dean to urge Democrats not to campaign there.

"Someone," the two wrote, "has to take on New Hampshire's transparent effort to violate the DNC rules and to maintain its privileged position."

Instead, the DNC warned Michigan that any delegates chosen Jan. 15 would not be seated at next summer's convention in Denver, the same punishment that Florida Democrats are suing the party over. Rules and schedules are essential, one DNC official said, to ensure "fairness and predictability."

"I don't see anything we can do," the official said, "without all hell breaking loose."

As a practical matter, no Democratic nominee wants a floor fight over Florida and Michigan delegates, state officials say.

"The Democratic candidates are too smart not to find a way to campaign in Michigan and Florida," Levin said, "and they're not that self-destructive."

In Dearborn, Debbie Dingell won cheers when she told hundreds of union workers at a state AFSCME gathering that Michigan voters have been forced "for too long" to size up the candidates from afar.

In a spirited call-and-response, she asked workers whether they would rather see Democratic candidates in Michigan talking about manufacturing, jobs and their future, "instead of talking about wood-burning stoves in the middle of New Hampshire in winter."

Danny Craig is on board. "We've earned the right to move up," said the longtime union activist from Detroit.

"We've got two small states, not industrial states, deciding who should be the candidate leading the charge and setting the terms of the debate," said Craig, who also believes the Democrats' avoidance of Michigan will be lost on regular voters. "I don't think the public will understand. I think it's a bad decision."

Stacie Dineen, an AFSCME representative from Kalamazoo, sees the issue in different terms. Noting that Michigan initially planned to choose delegates by caucus, she is dismayed that caucuses underwritten by the political parties will be replaced by a far more costly primary paid for by taxpayers.

"We don't have to be the first dog on the block. I just think the timing is terrible to do that. We should be focused on the here and now," Dineen said. "The next thing you know, we'll be voting before Christmas."