Clinton Signals Support For Fla., Mich. Re-Votes

WASHINGTON — Senator Clinton is offering the first signals that she would be open to new elections in Michigan and Florida, a move that would erase her earlier victories there but would give her two more opportunities to cut into Senator Obama's delegates lead.

"I'm going to let the leadership of both states see what they think is the best approach," Mrs. Clinton told reporters here when asked about the possibility of a revote in both states.

The governors of Florida and Michigan have begun talks about holding new elections, and the Democratic National Committee has said it could support proposals that abide by party rules. The DNC stripped both states of their delegates to the nominating convention after they flouted requirements by holding early primaries.

Mrs. Clinton has called for the delegations to be reinstated after she won both contests, held in January. But the results are questionable because there was no active campaign in Florida and Senator Obama's name was not even on the ballot in Michigan.

"I think that it would be a grave disservice to the voters of Florida and Michigan to adopt any process that would disenfranchise anyone, and therefore I am still committed to seating their delegations," Mrs. Clinton said.

While she is likely to support new elections rather than allowing the states to be excluded, the format — primary or caucus — could be key. Mrs. Clinton has fared poorly in most caucuses, and she and President Clinton have suggested that caucuses disenfranchise voters who serve in the military or who work at night.

The Obama campaign is adamantly opposed to seating the Florida and Michigan delegations under the January votes. A spokesman, Bill Burton, told the Associated Press that the campaign would support a "fair remedy" to the problem.