Pardon my summary of the obvious points. The Florida/Michigan controversy boils down to four issues:
- Party discipline. Florida and Michigan must be punished for ignoring party rules. Party rules must be enforced.
- Representation. Democratic principles suggest that Florida and Michigan voters be allowed a voice in the process. Voting is better than fiat under practically all circumstances.
- Fairness. The standing results of the Florida and Michigan primaries are tainted by the fact that some candidates campaigned and some did not. Any outcome that leaves the distribution of delegates as presently constituted will be unfair. Any outcome that dictates the distribution of delegates according to some formula will be perceived as unfair by virtually anyone and has the further disadvantage of being arbitrary besides.
- Expense and practicality. Neither Michigan, Florida, or the DNC felt that it was practical or affordable to re-do the primary.
I've not seen anyone suggest this, but the answer almost writes itself.
My solution:
A. Give each delegate a half-vote or seat half of them...whatever. The formula is important but not relevant.
B. All candidates release their delegates to vote their conscience. All candidates are allowed to speachify and lobby all delegates.
C. Use it or lose it: all delegates must mail an affidavit of committment to the DNC for a single candidate by a reasonable deadline, well in advance of the convention. Any after the deadline may attend the convention but lose their vote.
Bob's your uncle. Factors discipline, democracy, fairness, practicality all accounted for. Loss of perceived advantage trumped by the bedrock principle of electoral democracy.
Respectfully submitted,
Baz
UPDATE:
My apologies to Baron Dave, who floated this idea earlier today. Too bad no one took up the idea.
Thanks to NMLib: following his comments lead me to the earlier post.
Baz