According to the CNN political blog and Eric Kleefeld at TPM Election Central, the Michigan Democratic party has agreed upon a compromise plan to seat Michigan's delegates at the Democratic convention. According to the plan, the delegates are to be divided with a 59/69 split, with Clinton being awarded 10 more delegates than Obama.
But why? Why should Clinton be granted 10 more delegates than Obama, in a state in which he played by the rules by not placing his name on the ballot, while she attempted to do an end run around them. For what purpose, at this point in the game, should Clinton be awarded additional delegates?
From the Ferraro comments about race to the the constant questioning of Obama's electability (which seem me an attempt to create a self-fullfilling prophecy), to the jumping on the McCain/Bush/rightwing bandwagon over the Wright flap, Clinton and her surrogates have shown her willingness to fight dirty at the expense of party. Even with the numbers so clearly against her, can we afford to grant her anything that might later be used to advance her (hopeless) cause and harm our chances in November?
Had she indicated her willingness to withdraw and support the presumptive Democratic nominee, this arrangement may have made sense as a symbolic offering to her supporters, but without any indication from Clinton that she intends to withdraw soon, a red flag is raised by this compromise. What kind of mischief at the convention might those 10 delegates support?