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ESCANABA — Despite suggestions from the national level, Michigan’s Democratic Party will likely not hold a caucus, according to the head of the state party.

Mark Brewer, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, visited Escanaba Monday on a tour of the U.P. He commented on the neck and neck Democratic primary race and the role Michigan will play.

The Michigan Democratic Party Executive Committee angered the national party when it decided to move Michigan’s primary up to Jan. 15. As a result, the national party has said Michigan’s delegation will not be seated at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.

In recent weeks, national party officials have suggested Michigan now hold a caucus instead (throwing out the results of the January’s primary).

Brewer said he doubts Michigan will have a caucus. “I doubt it. The Obama and Clinton campaigns have to agree. It takes one year to prepare for a caucus. It takes money,” Brewer said. “It is not a viable option.”

Brewer added he has no doubt Michigan’s delegation will be seated at the national convention, despite moving the state primary up.

Brewer said the party’s presidential nominee may not be determined until the national convention, something that hasn’t happened since 1952.

“In the end, I feel this race could be close,” Brewer said. “We will be there for the end. We will be seated.”

Brewer said he gave the state party’s executive committee his opinion on moving up the state primary, an opinion he is keeping confidential.

Brewer said both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton know Michigan is a key state.

“Neither one of them can win the presidency if they do not win Michigan in the fall, so some compromise has to be worked out. You don’t get to the White House without winning Michigan,” Brewer said.

Brewer is one of the party’s super delegates, high-ranking party members who are uncommitted to any candidate. In a close race, they could decide who the party’s nominee is at the national convention.

There are 28 super delegates in Michigan. At the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 25-28, Michigan will be represented by a delegation of 156 delegates, 21 alternates, 18 convention committee members and four pages.

Brewer said he remains neutral and uncommitted in the race for president and vice president.

“We’re still electing delegates,” he said. “In the end, if nominees vote for her or him, I will stay neutral as long as I can. I need to talk with both campaigns to do that.”

As for local races, Brewer said the Democratic Party is already working with U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-1st District), who is up for re-election.

“Bart is here every weekend, from Ironwood to Bay City,” he said.

Brewer said State Rep. Tom Casperson (R-108th District) has not announced if he is running for Stupak’s seat and is having difficulty raising money.

“We will see in the end if he runs or not,” Brewer said.

Democrats are looking at Casperson’s State House seat in November.

Brewer said there are three people who may run on the Democratic ticket, but that has not been determined yet.

Michigan will play a key role in the November election, Brewer believes.

“Winning Michigan will be a key challenge to us. We carried Michigan the last four times. McCain is no different than (George) Bush,” Brewer said. “His record is different than his image. He’s somebody who has said we might stay in Iraq for 100 years.”

Brewer said the economy is suffering, and the message Obama and Clinton bring is appealing.

“Clearly, we’re in a bad situation economically. We’re in a recession,” Brewer said. “It is the end of the beginning, but not the beginning of the end. I think we still face several years of diversity and hard times.”

 

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