On national TV Terry McAuliffe misleads about DNC rules. A former chairman should not do that.

[madfloridian]

It is not honest, and it is not fair to the party.

Terry McAuliffe was on Face the Nation last Sunday. While on there he did not tell the truth about the party rules.

Here is the video from Red Lasso, a short clip of the interview.

McAuliffe discusses DNC rules with Bob Schieffer.

Terry McAuliffe on Face The Nation makes some very interesting comments about the DNC rules. Ironic, since he was chairman just before Howard Dean.



He says the DNC controls the delegates, they don't control the "popular vote"...there he goes again. He says these people voted, they were certified at the county level, and at the state level. He totally ignores the fact that there is a national level to the our party. What a shameful thing for him to do.

Schieffer reminds him that when he was chairman, he threatened Carl Levin if Michigan moved its primary up.

Expletives were flying. The head of the Democratic National Committee was having it out with Sen. Carl Levin because Michigan wanted to crash the rarefied club of early presidential primary states.

Move your primary too early, Terry McAuliffe warned, and Michigan will lose half its delegates to the 2004 Democratic convention.

"The closest they'll get to Boston will be watching it on television," McAuliffe vowed. "I will not let you break this entire nominating process for one state. The rules are the rules."

He brushed Schieffer's statement off. Just shrugged it off. Then he flat out lied on national TV. He said the rules only said 50% of the delegates can be stripped. That is just not true. He knows it is not true.

Florida knew the rules when they voted 115 to 1 with the Republican in the legislature. They knew what they were doing.

The 50% strip of delegates is automatic without a vote of the rules committee. Since Florida openly defied and went before the comittee and said they acted in good faith...they were stripped 100%...well within the rules.

Under the DNC delegate selection rules, if a state party’s plan violates the rule with respect to timing, the number of its pledged delegates—those delegates awarded proportionally to candidates based on the primary or caucus results—is automatically reduced 50%(without any action by the RBC or DNC); no member of the DNC can attend the Convention as a delegate; no Member of Congress can attend the Convention as a delegate; and if applicable, the state’s Democratic governor can not attend the Convention as a delegate. In addition, any presidential candidate who campaigns in the state for the event in violation of the rules cannot receive any pledged delegates from that state. In addition to these automatic sanctions, the DNC RBC has authority under the rules to impose additional sanctions, including further reductions in the state’s delegation.

Terry did not tell the truth about the party rules, and he was on national TV. That is not being honest, and it hurts the party, it hurts her campaign's credibility, and it is harmful to Howard Dean as chairman. Many people do not realize he is not telling the truth.

Unfortunately, this scheme has worked quite well. The Florida bloggers fell down on the job of holding the state Democrats accountable for their actions. The media followed suit.

It worked.

He had another glorious outing on Meet the Press Sunday as well. He warned Democrats not to "alienate" Clinton voters

Some people have been looking for signs of a graceful exit from the Democratic presidential race by Hillary Clinton. But Terry McAuliffe, her campaign chairman, made it clear on the Sunday morning talk shows today that that isn't happening any time soon.

McAuliffe was in there swinging on both Face the Nation and Meet the Press, arguing that Clinton still has a chance to win the party nomination. And if they're smart, he suggested, superdelegates will hold out and not do anything that might turn off the many people who have voted for her this primary season.

"Most of the superdelegates will wait til the end til everybody's voted," McAuliffe said. Clinton will be ahead in the popular vote, he predicted, and ahead in delegates.

"They understand we're in a fragile time in our party," he said. "Let's let the process finish. People need to be careful not to alienate" the Clinton supporters.

Sometimes several people in her inner circle have forgotten that total honesty matters...that politics has changed since the internet. They have stuck with the old ways of using highly paid strategists with other loyalties...the gravy train strategists.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Thank you for putting the truth out there, MF.

[papau]

36. there had to be a vote to move from 50% to 100% - Terry noted just the automatic 50%

Dean pushed for the other 50% in order to favor Obama

[kirby]

41. No he didn't.

When the initial rules were agreed too many of the states had not yet submitted their election plans to the DNC so only the default automatic 50% was in effect. However, the very next paragraph in the rules say that the Rules and Bylaws committee has authority to modify the rules (from 0% to 100% I imagine). That decision came later after the state elections plans were due.

CBS was simply quoting to Terry what he wrote in his own book (now in paperback on the 40% off rack) about how he dealt with Michigan and Carl Levine during the last election cycle when Michigan then tried to jump the line.

[Jane Austin]

2. I didn't know the rules, but I knew he was lying

because he has some sure-fire "tells" when he lies.

He exhibited several of them while he was spinning that.

[cliffordu]

9. That's right - I'd love to play some poker with him.....

Profit!!

[zulchzulu]

3. K&R! That's probably the most disgusting thing about MacAwful...

He knows what the rules are, but his support for Hillary Clinton and the apparent strategy to break the rules of the DNC is so transparent and dishonest.

[PassingFair]

5. They all know what the rules are.

Michigan and Florida broke them anyway.

In Michigan it was done with the express
support of the Clinton backers.

I can't speak for Florida, but from
what I've read, it was even WORSE there.

[rosesaylavee]

4. So what did she promise him?

Chief of Staff?

[Cha]

6. terry mcauliffe may be a former DNC chair but

being a hilary supporter that means you have to lie because she can't handle the truth.

[madfloridian]

13. I have seen so many give loyalty...

until they lose credibility.

[madfloridian]

7. OMG...Larry Johnson's blog using this video to bash Dean. What's with you, Larry.

Yeh, I know it is that Susanunpc posting it, but Johnson has turned his blog into a site that spews hate for the party, Dean, and Obama.

Just look up No Quarter, cause I won't link.

When people are loyal to the Clintons they sell their souls.

[youngharry]

11. Honesty

There is no degree to "Honesty"--either you are or you are not. It's unfortunate that no one on the Clinton Campaign---from the Candidate to her husband to the people running her campaign understand that simple truth.

THEY ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED IN ANY WAY. WHAT THEY SAY OR WHAT THEY DO. SORRY WE HAVE HAD 8 YEARS OF LIES, WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER FOUR OR EIGHT YEARS.

[AtomicKitten]

8. Russert read to him from his own book on MTP and it didn't faze him a bit.

Wow. He really is a snake oil salesman.

[Doityourself]

25. Yeah, he didn't blink. As my grandma use to say, he's a SLINKER (slick/stinker)

[madfloridian]

32. Do you remember what part of the book Russert read?

Was it the same part, about Levin and Michigan?

[AtomicKitten]

33. that's the one

[KSinTX]

10. Keep 'em honest mad ,,, now we KNOW you've never been to FL (LOL)

Don't blame me, that's what NanceGreggs told us

[madfloridian]

12. Ha Ha...I read her post. So funny.

[MagickMuffin]

14. Terrence McAuliffe is a Major League A**hole and a LIAR

Terrence IS an insider. He has made MILLIONS because of his connections. I suppose he wants to alienate our base (as he does so often) to where perhaps they want vote in the GE.

McAuliffe has been criticized by political commentators such as William Safire and Arianna Huffington for his ties to Global Crossing, a company that went bankrupt in 2002 amidst what The New York Times called "many of the same accusations that have made Enron into one of the largest corporate scandals in history."

In 1997, McAuliffe purchased a pre-IPO $100,000 stake in Global Crossing. By 1999, McAuliffe sold his investment, which was then valued at $18 million dollars. Howard Kurtz of CNN reported that McAuliffe sold his shares years before there was "any hint of trouble with the company" thus clearing him of any wrongdoing.


In 1999, the U.S. Department of Labor sued Jack Moore, pension fund manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, on the basis of several deals made with McAuliffe. In one deal, McAuliffe and the pension fund partnered to buy commercial property in Florida, with McAuliffe investing $100 while the pension fund put up $39 million. McAuliffe received a 50% interest in the partnership and emerged with $2.45 million from his original $100 investment.

Being from Florida perhaps you're familiar with the last paragraph sighted in the info above.

Isn't it SWEET to invest $100 and rake in $2.45 MILLION from that investment?.?.? Sounds a lot like Mad king Boy George.

[karynnj]

24. Global Crossing was in the same league as Enron, the sad thing is that McAuliffe

in 1996, as head of the DNC used that same level of ethics in fundraising as he has in his personal life. That as much as Bill Clinton's lack of honor and common sense with regard to Monica is why we have President Bush. The really galling thing is that it was Al Gore, one of the cleanest politicians, partially picked by Clinton for his "boy scout" image who had his race harmed by allegations of impropriety from 1996 fund raising (Buddhist temple). As much as the Clintons themselves, the Democratic party needs people like McAuliffe gone.

As to the FL and MI situation, on McAulife's scale this is almost not lying! A case could be made that it would have been prudent for the Democrats to stick just with the automatic punishment - because it would not have disenfranchised the state. They would vote and their vote would count less - but it would still count. The punishment of the superdelegates would put the punishment exactly where it belonged - on those with some leverage to change the decision. That would have allowed for honest elections, especially this year where every state, no matter how small is contested. It would also allow the DNC to rescind the punishment if they felt the state Democrats did what could.

I had thought the Republicans were smarter taking just half but hadn't known the rules. I think that Dean and others, angry that the rules weren't being followed tried to up the stakes to losing all representation gambling that they would back down. I understand that Dean was aiming to insure that the DNC retained some control over the calendar - but it is not clear that will be the ultimate message on this issue. FL and MI didn't back down and we have this mess that the Clintons are cynically exploiting - because they can and because it gave them one last chance.

Here, McAuliffe's biggest problem was that this was an issue that should have been fought in 2006 or 2007 and then HRC was on record (and tape) saying they didn't count. I would not be surprised if McAuliffe is somewhere - on tape - ranting that they need to follow the rules or lose all their delegates. But, I would not be surprised, even if it existed, that being shown it would not impact him.

[donheld]

15. K & R

[sandnsea]

16. So many do know better

but they just don't care. They're the ones I don't understand.

[iamthebandfanman]

17. Terry McAuliffe is a goon

why anybody would let him be there anything on their campaign is beyond me.

the guys a moron for starters and has the appearance and personality of the stereotypical dirty car salesman...

[VotesForWomen]

18. yeah, screw FL and MI; who do they think they are?? we don't need their votes in the GE. besides, t

the important thing is that Obama is the nominee, not that dems win the GE.

[Ken Burch]

19. Look, we have proved by now that HRC can't get nominated.

And we've proved that we don't have to nominate HRC to carry those states.

Why can't you let it go, when you know it's over?

Why not join us and work for victory?

[suzie]

23. As Mad Floridian has pointed out numerous times,

Clinton supporters within the Florida Democratic Party harmed Florida voters, not Obama and not the DNC. If you want to blame someone, put it on the shoulders of the Florida party elders.

The Florida party has taken little responsibility for this mess.

[seabeyond]

28. the important thing seems to be to disinfranchise the voter from obama by blaming him for something

he has nothing to do with on a continual basis to keep the voters of these two states stirred so hillary can get a couple more delegates that wont help her in any way instead of putting the blame and responsiblity of this mess on the proper shoulders, like the state reps that created this, ignoring rules and threat the vote wouldnt count

right.... that is the logical way to handle the problem

[dbmk]

20. K/R - Keep the fire burning, MadF

I think I have posted this 20+ times:

The delegate selection rules:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/apache.3cdn.net/de68e7b6dfa0743...

Without checking again - I know the rules section numbers by heart by now - and I am not even a US citizen, nor living there:
Rule 20.C.1 through 9 - especially .5 and .6 that states that the R&BC can impose whatever sanctions they see fit.

MadFloridian is completely correct.

[madfloridian]

31. Thanks. Yes, the DNC most certainly has the right. Horrible for Terry to do this.

People from her campaign just keep saying things like that, and hoping people will fall for it.

[Freedom Train]

21. Blah blah blah....

Yawn.

[lojasmo]

22. Epic douchebaggery by McAuliffe. EOM

[Coexist]

26. in the end, this will all be a footnote

and Terry will fade into history.

[Vinca]

27. McAuliffe has been acting and sounding like a candidate for a rubber room. nt

[MethuenProgressive]

29. God Bless Terry McAuliffe.

Thank God for real Democrats like Terry.

[krkaufman]

30. When McAuliffe warns that superdelegates should hold-off on endorsing until all the voting is done..

... would it be too much for Bob to ask Terry a couple very simple followup questions, like how many superdelegates had committed to Clinton before a single vote was cast, or exactly when McAuliffe, himself, committed to Clinton?

I've grown to loathe this spineless mass of tissue called McAuliffe.

[KSinTX]

34. What does it say to McAuliffe when Romer shifts away from him

Haven't all the active former DNC leaders walked away from him? I think that's a telling tale on its own.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

35. Baghdad Bob at work!

[Avalux]

37. I watched that interview and he knew full well he was twisting the truth.

Of course he can't talk straight about anything, so I expect nothing else from him.

[madfloridian]

45. The Clintons and their strategists are enjoying their games

and it does not bother them they are hurting the party.

[me b zola]

38. K&R

[redqueen]

39. Ah yes... the gravy train strategists...

time for that crap to go.

[madfloridian]

40. Amen.

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

42. Thanks for the photo.

Sums it all up.

After this over, I want to see someone make the political version of "The Surreal Life" with Begallla, Carvillle, McAullliffe, and 5 more clintooon babboooonnssss.

[greiner3]

43. A Clinton team member lying?

I'm shocked I say, just shocked!

[katerinasmommy]

44. Clinton Supporters Being Deceitful?????

Gosh what a shock. It's as surprising as thinking that George Allen would ever call someone an unflattering ethnic slur. Hillary Clinton just is for those hardworking white people. Not those lazy Blacks.

You can assume when most in the Clinton campaign open their mouths they are either lying or trying to destroy the presumptive nominee. Sometimes both.

[BlueJac]

46. Terry the Turd.......

Just another evil person in the Clinton campaign.