DNC Seeks Caucuses in Florida, Michigan

LANSING, MI (AP) -- The Democratic National Committee is pressuring Michigan and Florida to hold presidential caucuses so the delegates they lost for moving up their primaries to January can be seated at the national convention, a top Michigan Democrat said yesterday.

DNC member Debbie Dingell said it was unclear whether either state would hold caucuses, because they have already held primaries, Michigan on Jan. 15 and Florida on Jan. 29. She said the DNC was asking them to consider such a plan.

Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski said the party had no intention of holding another election. "We've said all along that we're going forward with our delegate-selection program using the vote on Jan. 29," he said.

Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said the DNC was not saying anything it had not said before to Michigan and Florida.

"Everybody involved, the candidates, the DNC and we, need to remain open-minded," he said. "So if someone comes up with a creative way that meets everyone's interests, we can do that" and get the delegates seated.

DNC spokesman Damien LaVera had no comment.

The stakes are increasingly high as Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton compete for the delegates they need for nomination.

The decision could end up being made at the Democratic National Convention this summer in Denver, which makes the question of whether the Michigan and Florida delegates are seated an important strategic point.

Florida has 185 pledged delegates and 25 superdelegates who face not being seated at the convention; Michigan has 128 pledged delegates and 28 superdelegates.

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