The announcement by the Obama, Richardson, Edwards, and Biden campaigns that they would not be on the ballot in Michigan came as a surprise to some. To others, it is the continuation of a trend that started months ago.
For many years, Iowa and New Hampshire have had a stranglehold on the first Democratic contests. Politicians cater to the interests of these states almost exclusively - and the pandering reaches an all-time high as campaign promises are given out like they are nothing.
This year, Michigan has tried to have the Democratic candidates spend time talking about issues important to our state. We are in the midst of an economic crisis: a single state recession. Presidential candidates should devote some time to hearing our issues and telling the voters in Michigan what they plan to do to help us.
To accomplish this, the two political parties moved their primary election dates ahead in the order, breaking the Democratic National Committee's rules. In response to this, each candidate began by pledging not to campaign in this "rogue" state that so carelessly broke the rules. More recently, several Democratic candidates have decided to drop their names from the Michigan ballot in protest.
The shortsightedness of these campaigns is astounding. This obvious political stunt is meant only to try to woo the voters in the early states that are being bumped from the top spots. While this may win them Iowa and New Hampshire, what then happens when it is time to run in the fall?
In America today, elections are closer than ever. And Michigan remains a swing state. In either 2000 or 2004, if Michigan had swung to the Republicans, there would have been no need for any talk of Ohio or Florida.
President Bush would have won in what is considered a landslide by today's standards.
Considering this, what happens if one of the candidates, who is now taking their name off of the Michigan ballot ends up winning the nomination? These candidates have thumbed their nose at Michigan voters in favor of Iowa and New Hampshire.
Fast-forward to the general election in November 2008.
Michigan voters will be less inclined to show up to the polls to vote for this candidate because that candidate insulted them less than a year ago. Voters are not stupid, nor do they forget.
Depressed Democratic turnout, coupled with Republicans having campaigned here months longer than Democrats could - and probably will - have a drastic effect on the decision of Michigan electors. This would prove to be a devastating loss to the Democrats.
I implore the Democratic candidates to look down the road to the general election and to reconsider writing off Michigan.
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