Harkin: Seating delegates would be 'disastrous'
"I think this could be one of the most devastating things for the Democratic Party going into this election," he said.
Harkin, in a conference call with Iowa reporters, was sharply critical of claims by the two states they have been unfairly penalized by the Democratic National Committee.
National Democrats set a timeline that kept Iowa as the nation’s first caucus state and New Hampshire as the first primary state, with other states on a schedule after them.
"Rules are rules," said Harkin, who is an uncommitted superdelegate. "We had a national schedule that everyone agreed to."
He said that "Michigan, even knowing they would not be seated, and Florida, decided to step out of the line. They are the ones that created the situation, not the DNC, and now they have to live with the consequences."
The situation with Michigan and Florida has taken on an even higher profile in recent days with Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continuing in their close battle for the nomination. Votes in Michigan and Florida could become crucial.
Both Clinton and Obama refrained from campaigning in the two states. But Harkin pointed out Obama did not put his name on the ballot in Michigan, while Clinton did so.
"Now you’re going to say he abided by the rules but we’re going to change the rules again?" asked Harkin.
"If Michigan and Florida and the Clinton supporters in those states, if they continue to push to have those delegates seated, it will create an uproar in the Democratic Party around the country," predicted Harkin. "If we let that happen we would have no DNC in the future. No rules. It would be a free-for-all for everybody no matter what happens."
Harkin said he has talked to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, and he said Dean and other Democrats are "adamant" the Michigan and Florida delegates will not be seated.
"They are going to have to have another caucus or primary," said Harkin, likely in June, and without financial support from national Democrats.
Harkin also repeated he remains neutral and is not getting pressured from either campaign to make up his mind.
