Democrats reject Michigan primary

Five Democratic presidential candidates have pulled out of Michigan's primary election because it broke party rules in setting a date of 15 January 2008.

Barack Obama, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich have all said they will withdraw. Hillary Clinton still intends to stand.

The Democratic candidates had already all agreed not to campaign in Michigan after it jumped ahead in the calendar.

It is not among the four states allowed to hold primaries before 5 February.

They are Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

In a presidential election year, states hold primaries, an election where voters indicate a preference for a candidate, and caucuses, party meetings to endorse candidates, to choose Democratic and Republican nominees.

Candidates who do not do well in early elections tend to drop out, so giving the states which decide first a greater say in the electoral process.

'Very disappointed'

Front-runner Hillary Clinton's campaign issued a statement saying she would remain on the ballot in Michigan.

CURRENT KEY DATES 14 Jan: Iowa caucuses 15 Jan: Michigan primary 19 Jan: South Carolina primary (Rep) 22 Jan: New Hampshire primary 29 Jan: Florida primary; South Carolina primary (Dem) 5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey Quick guide: US election Primary and caucus dates

She will be joined by Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd and former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel.

Michigan's Democrats could still decide to revert to their original plan to hold a caucus on 9 February.

Responding to the candidates' withdrawal, Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Jason Moon refused to speculate on whether the party would change its date.

"We're very disappointed and this is another example of why the monopoly that Iowa and New Hampshire have must end," he told the Associated Press news agency.

Barack Obama's campaign said the decision to withdraw from Michigan's contest was an extension of the pledge made to the DNC not to campaign in the state.

"We still hope that Michigan Democrats can adopt a process that meets DNC rules," a spokesman said.

A spokesman for John Edwards's campaign said he was committed to protecting Iowa's role in the primary process.

Delegates lost

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has promised to punish states that try to jump ahead of 5 February.

Michigan and Florida, which moved to 29 January, have been told they may lose all their delegates to the Democratic nominating convention next year.

The Republican National Committee has also warned states they face sanctions if they seek to flout the rules.

However, it has not asked its candidates not to campaign in Michigan. A televised Republican debate is scheduled to take place in the state on Tuesday.

Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally first to hold their contests, are still discussing whether they will move their dates forward to the New Year holiday or even late December.

New Hampshire has a state law determining that its primary be held at least a week before any other state's, while Iowa has a state law that it must be the first to hold any kind of voting procedure.

That means the Iowa caucuses must come before the New Hampshire primary in the electoral calendar.