Rules are Rules - and I'll respect them

[Tom Rinaldo]

The DNC has rules regarding their decision about Michigan and Florida, and they also have rules that say how to appeal their rulings on Michigan and Florida. Each State decided in advance how they would choose their delegates to the Democratic Convention - some use caucuses and some use primaries. Super Delegates were given a role in our nominating convention decades ago by the DNC, and there are ways for Democrats, working through our own State parties, to alter or reverse that decision. Up until now no one made any real effort to do so.

Some activists have a real problem with the influence Super Delegates will have in picking our nominee. Some have a real problem with the influence multiple caucuses, that do not use secret ballots and which are only open for a few fixed hours for voters to participate in, will have in picking our nominee. And it is tragic if the voters in Florida and Michigan end up having no say in who our nominee is. No doubt however that is decided it will be controversial.

But we are selecting our nominee using sets of rules that all parties to this process knew in advance. If we don't like 'em we should work to change 'em, but these are the rules we have now. In the case of Michigan and Florida the ultimate jury is still out, but at some point a decision will be made.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will have done so playing by the rules as written. I will fully support our Democratic nominee, even if I don't fully respect some of the rules that may help him or her win that nomination.