Why did Bill Clinton take his name off the Delaware ballot in 1996?

[democrattotheend]

The Clintons have been very persistent in recent weeks about seating the delegates from Florida and Michigan. They have criticized the DNC for stripping these two states of their delegates, claiming that it would be an injustice to the state's voters if they are not represented. Given how strongly they seem to feel about seating delegates from states that break the rules, one would expect that they would have taken the same stance in 1996, when Delaware was stripped of its delegates for moving its primary too close to New Hampshire, right?

Wrong. In 1996, Delaware moved its primary to four days after New Hampshire, instead of a week later as required by party rules and New Hampshire state law. As a result, Delaware was sanctioned by the DNC (and I believe the RNC as well). Most of the Republican candidates that year also took their names off the ballot in deference to Iowa and New Hampshire. Here's the kicker: so did Bill Clinton. Even though he was not seriously challenged for renomination, he chose not to be on the ballot in Delaware, in deferrence to Iowa and New Hampshire and their right to go first. He also did nothing to complain about the DNC sanctioning Delaware. Interesting decision, given how strongly he feels about counting delegates from every state, even those that break the rules.