The Democrats have been ordered out of Michigan as a punishment for that states January 15th primary, and only one top contender has left her name on the ballot: Hillary Clinton. Despite that low level of competition as compared to the other early primary states, it seems Ms. Clinton is still having some difficulties.
There are growing signs that Michigan Democrats could turn out in larger numbers than expected for the Jan. 15 presidential primary — and that may raise the stakes for Hillary Clinton, who could use a lift after her third-place finish in Iowa.
Clinton, the only top contender whose name will be on the Michigan Democratic ballot, has been widely expected to win the state by an overwhelming margin. Privately, Clinton supporters acknowledged Friday that she could be embarrassed if a significant percentage of Michiganians vote “uncommitted” — one of the ballot choices.
Turnout is expected to be high as the Democratic party has set a threshold 15-percent turnout for Michigan to receive any delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and the Michigan Democratic Party is doing its best to encourage its members to vote in order to retain what few delegates they can salvage. Supporters for Obama and Edwards, while they will not be allowed to vote for their candidate even as a write in, are being instructed to vote “uncommitted” instead of naming a candidate if they can’t bring themselves to choose Clinton (or Dennis Kucninch).
If the vote goes according to current numbers (Hillary leading the RCP average with 44.1%, Obama at 21.7% and Edwards at 13-percent), Hillary might not win by a landslide in a state where the other candidates simply don’t exist.