Walters wants to count Michigan, Florida votes

By Stacey Cameron, NEWS 9

The political battle over Democratic votes casted in Michigan and Florida's primaries continued Tuesday. The Democratic Party stripped those states of delegates when both held primaries in January, which was against the party's rules.

Former Oklahoma Governor David Walters described the battle as the best reality show he's ever seen, like a game of political Survivor between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"You know you rush home to see who got thrown off the island," Gov. Walters said.

If neither candidate is thrown off the island soon, Walters said the disqualified delegates from Michigan and Florida must play a part in deciding the nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August.

"The Democratic Party has a great interest in Michigan and Florida," Walters said. "We don't want to go through a nomination process without them having any input whatsoever."

As Chair of the Democratic National Convention Rules Committee, Walters had input on how to include Michigan and Florida.

"I think there is a way to simply seat the delegations," Walters said. "Punish them for going early, by only seating half their delegations and move on."

Even if his plan gets consideration, Walters doesn't see Michigan and Florida deciding the nomination. Instead, the remaining primary states will give either Clinton or Obama the edge.

"This process is the noise of democracy and the kind of thing we should expect and frankly, it's good to stir interest," Walters said.

Gov. Walters also said superdelegates shouldn't decide the race. Instead, the Democratic nominee should be the candidate with the most pledged delegates after the last primary on June 3.