Since the Democratic primary in Michigan cannot be understood at face value, Democrats from afar are suggesting ways to make it fun and useful.
Markos Moulitsas, founder of the Daily Kos website for progressive Democrats, proposes crossover voting in favor of Romney.
He leads with the bold assertion:
"For Michigan Democrats, the Democratic primary is meaningless since the DNC stripped the state of all its delegates (at least temporarily) for violating party rules. Hillary Clinton is alone on the ballot."
I have spoken with many Michigan Democrats, and while they find the situation discouraging, most are not calling it meaningless. If they are, it comes in exasperated moments. Democrats I have interviewed are trying valiantly to make this bizarre primary meaningful for their candidate or for the party, but most of all for the state.
Cynically turning the Michigan Democratic primary into a broader strategic move fails to acknowledge the long-standing Democrats on the ground in Michigan who do feel disenfranchised by the DNC.
And for Clinton supporters, the primary is not meaningless. She is the first serious female candidate for the presidency and this matters.
The most sensible advice I've heard among Democrats in Michigan considering how to vote on Tuesday is this: if your choice is named on the ballot vote for that person, if not vote 'uncommitted.'
Say 'yes' when you mean 'yes' and 'no' when you mean 'no.'
It's that simple.