by Mark Silva
Democratic Party leaders voted today to strip Florida of its presidential nominating convention delegates, if the state's Democrats proceed with a planned January primary election.
At the same time, leaders voiced some optimism that a compromise might be reached in the next 30 days allowing Florida to send all of its 210 delegates to the national convention in Denver next summer.
"We're Democrats. We're optimist,'' said Jim Roosevelt Jr., co-chairman of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee, after a vote to allow Florida 30 days to comply with party regulations governing primaries or forfeit all of its convention delegates.
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Karen Thurman did not sound so optimistic, however.
"We'll see,'' she told reporters.
If the ruling today holds, Florida's four million Democrats could have no say in the selection of the party's 2008 nominee. However, a candidate with enough delegates to win the nomination could ask that Florida's delegates be seated at the convention in the interest of party unity.
"It's going to be a difficult discussion,'' Thurman said.
Sen. Bill Nelson, the state's senior Democratic office-holder, has threatened legal action.
But party officials insist taht legal precedents allowing a political party to establish its rules.
"We set our rules,'' said longtime DNC member Donna Brazile, who managed Al Gore's presidential campaign in 2000, which fell short for 537 contested votes in Florida.
The Florida Legislature has set the state's primaries for Jan. 29, violating party rules that allow only New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina to hold contests in January.
Thurman, a former member of Congress from Dunnellon, told the DNC today that the GOP-run Legislature in Florida had ignored Democratic Party rules in pushing through the law moving the state's presidential primaries into January. She said Democrat had tried to prevent it.
Jon Ausman, a DNC member from Florida, allowed that Florida has become the "black sheep'' in the primary season, yet reminded the rules committee of the importance of the state in the 2008 general election.
"We're asking for mercy, not judgment,'' Ausman said in his testimony to the committee.
Terrie Brady, another DNC member from Florida, echoed the idea that denying Florida any delegates to the convention next summer could "disenfranchise'' four million Democrats.
But allowing Florida to continue without sanctions only encourages other states to ignore party rules as well, Brazile argues.
"I hesitate to see what happens if we show somehow some wiggle room in our process,'' she said. "Among other things, states represented by presidential candidates could move up their primaries to give their favorites an advantage.
"Right now,'' Brazile said, "the whole system is being held together by duct tape and super glue.''
Tribune wire services contributed to this report.
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Comments
That's OK, Dems, I like keeping Florida in the GOP column. Thanks!
Headline in November 09: Rudy Crushes Queen B!!
Posted by: John D | August 25, 2007 5:53 PM
..."Headline in November 09: Rudy Crushes Queen B!!"...
...otherwise known as "Dewey Beats Truman"...
Posted by: The Original BZ | August 25, 2007 7:10 PM
From Sang Dem HQ
Posted by: Fuchs | August 25, 2007 7:15 PM
The Democrats are going to bring peace to the Middle East, and they can't even organize a primary in Florida?
Posted by: Bruce | August 25, 2007 7:16 PM
I am left to wonder what the best response here is. Maybe it is, "Screw 'em all, vote Ron Paul!"
Posted by: Al | August 25, 2007 7:37 PM
That's OK, Dems, I like keeping Florida in the GOP column. Thanks!
Posted by: John D | August 25, 2007 5:53 PM
The Democrats are going to bring peace to the Middle East, and they can't even organize a primary in Florida?
Posted by: Bruce | August 25, 2007 7:16 PM
Everyones two favorite Republican Party Stooges (see above) have got it all wrong again.
Even if they took the delegates.... so what.
The convention is nothing but a damn coronation. We know who the nominee is LONG before.
Posted by: John E | August 26, 2007 2:51 AM
"We're Democrats. We're optimist,'' said Jim Roosevelt Jr., co-chairman of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee.
Not so optimistic about the Iraq war, though.
Posted by: Dave | August 26, 2007 8:36 AM
Dave,
When it comes to the Iraqi Civil War, what's to be optomistic about?
What's been 4 1/2 years since "Mission Accomplished." WWII took less time.
There's no long term peace in Iraq without a political reconcilliation and it's not heppening.
For an interesting read on how Dubya is also losing the big picture read this N.Y. Times column by Tom Friedman:
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/opinion/26friedman.html?hp
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 26, 2007 8:57 AM
Dougie you got it wrong again. This news story is about elitist leftist Dems headed by dumbo Howard Dean telling Florida your votes won't count.
Gators tell these Dems where to go and vote for the GOP in 08 you don't need these losers anyway.
Only strupid Dems would pick fights over delegates right to vote. It's our way or the highway. Tell them to shove it. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | August 26, 2007 11:11 AM
Jerry White,
Your concern for Florida Democrats is very touching. It's almost as if you mean it.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 26, 2007 12:27 PM
This isn't where your focus should be, Mark.
California is the place you ought to be.
The Republicans want to circumvent the U.S. Constitution - no news about that , I admit - by letting a referendum determine how California's electoral college vote is determined.
If the Republicans succeed, including likely legal challenges that will go all the way to U.S. Supreme Court - 2000 all over again - the Dems have NO CHANCE of winning in 2008 and beyond.
That is the story ALL Americans need to be concerned about. Winning or losing an election is one thing. Undermining the U.S. Constitution to do it is a completey different animal.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 26, 2007 11:46 PM
Sorry Bud, but this happening in more states than just CA. The Dems pushed a referendum in CO to do the same, it lost. NE has always had that law. I am certain the Dems will try their luck at changing other states (as the Repubs will try to knock off a few EC votes from blue states).
The problem is that the constitution says a state decides how the EC votes are split up. So this is all perfectly legal (and total BS as well). It will require a constitutional amendment to change it.
me
Posted by: Andy | August 27, 2007 11:43 AM