Florida and Michigan Should Count!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/06/florida.michigan/index.html

It is absolutely ridiculous that the Democratic National Comittee and the States of Michigan and Florida have not reached a reasoned agreement on how to handle their delegations this summer. In such a tightly contested race, these delegations MUST be seated at the summer convention. They are two huge states that will figure prominently in the general election (as Florida always does being a swing state), but more than that it is about democracy. About giving the people a voice. The article cites that over 5 million voters will go unheard just because of some bullshit political game between the DNC and the state legislatures. So what if they wanted to move their primaries up to become a politically significant? Why are they being punished? I completely agree with the states.

The DNC should foot the bill if they decide it is imperative that Florida and Michigan hold second primaries. In all honesty, I am a little torn on the best course of action: a new primary, a new caucus, or counting the original votes. I believe that a new caucus will cost less, but a new primary is more realistic in that it follows the format the state has chosen for its nominating process. But then again, I think counting the original votes is a better indicator of the people's will, as it would be unfair to retabulate with a new vote, because minds could have changed in the last 45 days. We should freeze their vote at what it was when the primary was held.

Any thoughts?