Michigan was told that it will be stripped of all of its Democratic delegates and half of its Republican delegates to the parties' conventions. The state went for Democrats Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.
Still, leading Democrats haven't campaigned here; half them went so far as to take their names off the ballot. Hillary Clinton, Christopher Dodd, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel remain on. But voters who prefer Barack Obama, John Edwards or Bill Richardson can vote only "uncommitted."That could leave some curiosities unresolved: Whom do Detroit's African-American voters support? Would frustrations with former President Clinton over NAFTA hurt support for his wife? Would Obama's admonition to the industry to make more fuel-efficient cars turn off autoworkers?
Republican candidates haven't shunned Michigan the same way.
They've formally debated in the state, and observers say that the outcome of the state's Republican primary may affect competitors' positions heading into South Carolina four days later, and on to Super Tuesday states Feb. 5.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis said the state primary's results might be shaped by what had come out of Iowa and New Hampshire, and how large Michigan's conservative Christian turnout was, especially in Republican centers in the western part of the state.
The key question here is whether or not Dean will stand by his threat to strip Michigan of its delegates. He strong-armed half of the candidates into taking their names off the ballot, so he damn well better. But if this thing stays close all the way to the convention, its going to produce one hell of a controversy.
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