Ickes chides Obama camp’s hesitation over Mich. vote

Harold Ickes, a top campaign aide for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), slammed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday for not doing enough to pave the way for a re-vote in Michigan.

Legislation drafted in the state would allow Michigan to use private funds to finance a do-over primary after January’s nominating contest was deemed ineligible by the Democratic Party.

{mosads}“If Barack Obama’s campaign stands in the way of a new vote, he will be putting his own political interests ahead of the people of Michigan,” Ickes said in a statement.

“A re-vote is the only way Michigan can be assured its delegation will be seated, and vote in Denver.  If the Obama campaign thwarts a fair election process for the people of Michigan, it will jeopardize the Democratic nominee’s ability to carry the state in the general election.”

The Clinton campaign has repeatedly called for another primary in Michigan, where Clinton is supported by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and other senior state Democrats.

Obama has called a full primary re-vote in Michigan “unrealistic.” One of the reasons Obama has cited for the primary being unrealistic is funding. The Obama camp has not yet signaled whether the Michigan legislation satisfies its concerns.

The new primary would be held June 3 under the legislation. Democratic National Committee rules dictate that any new primary must be held before June 10 for the delegates it selects to be seated at the national convention.

However, supporters of the bill must act quickly to get it approved. Michigan’s Democratic-controlled House begins a two-week leave on Thursday, and any bill would still need to pass the Republican-held Senate.