by John Kennedy
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman today outlined plans for a "do-over'' presidential primary by mail, but conceded that the proposal faces long odds.
"I think this is the only thing that the state party can do at this point," Thurman said.
When asked if she thought her proposed solution to having the state's 210 delegates count toward deciding the Democratic nominee, Thurman said she was pessimistic. Both the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns have voiced opposition to the mail-in approach, along with Florida Democrats in Congress.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling this is probably getting closer to `not' than `yes,'" Thurman said.
The proposal calls for Florida to hold a do-over primary June 3 by mail, with 50 in-person voting sites also established around the state. Ballots would be mailed to registered Democrats in early May. The state of Florida would not be involved in the mail-in primary -- which state law prohibits for candidate elections -- but would be paid for by Democratic Party donors.
Estimated cost: $10-$12 million.
Florida Democrats say they plan to spend the weekend seeing what kind of reception the proposal gets from state Democrats, along with the presidential campaigns and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. Thurman set a Monday deadline for deciding whether the plan goes forward or not.
"If the candidates don't agree," she allowed, "this is a non-starter."
For a look at the details, see the party's memo to all: Download file
John Kennedy is Tallahassee bureau chief for the Orlando Sentinel, a Tribune Co. newspaper.
Comments
HAHAHAHAHA!, a mail in vote?
Gee, I don't see any problems that might come with that....NOT!
Florida is probabaly the most corrupt state in the country.
Posted by: John E | March 13, 2008 2:17 PM
John E, I always thought that you were from Illinois, but I guess I was wrong about that when I saw youe post stating that Florida was the most corrupt state in the country. More corrupt than Illinois? Illinois in the past 4 decades has had three Governors, Kerner, Walker and Ryan convicted and sent to prison;two that should have been sent to prison; Thompson and Edgar, and one who is probably going to prison;Blago.And do I need to bring up the subject of the incredible number of Chicago alderman who have been in the "gray bar hotel?" Florida may have its corruption but to rank it over the state of Illinois for political criminality? I think I have to disagree with you on that one.
Posted by: notjmariotti | March 13, 2008 2:45 PM
Dingbat John E is at it again. And, as usual, completely clueless.
Yo Demented Man, the Florida Democratic Party would be conducting this new vote.
Anyway, what is it with the Democratic party that they have to keep having elections or do-overs or recounts if the results aren't what they like?
Is cheating and constantly changing the rules (and rules set up by the Democratic party) the only ways Democrats can do elections???
Posted by: John D | March 13, 2008 2:49 PM
I'd say Illinois or Louisiana are more corrupt than Florida. I'm not aware of any governors, secretaries of state or US representatives going to jail from Florida that spring to mind.
But that's neither here nor there. The Obama campaign and the Florida House delegation have already nixed a write-in primary. Now all that's left to do is see how hard Howard fights against seating the delegates.
Posted by: Jeff | March 13, 2008 2:52 PM
HEY JEFF!----- "I'd say Illinois or Louisiana are more corrupt than Florida. I'm not aware of any governors, secretaries of state or US representatives going to jail from Florida that spring to mind."--- No JEFF, Florida just has a bunch of sicko's like Mark Foley and corrupt Politicos like the Florida 24... maybe they don't go to jail but that just proves how corrupt FL is. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7DF153BF93BA25755C0A967958260
Posted by: Adam S | March 13, 2008 3:28 PM
Is cheating and constantly changing the rules (and rules set up by the Democratic party) the only ways Democrats can do elections???
Posted by: John D | March 13, 2008 2:49 PM
Lil Johnny French mime,
The Republican led Supreme Court gave a Presidential election to your favorite Republican Prez 19% in 2001, thanks to Florida. That pretty much trumps anything from IL, you moron.
Posted by: John Hussein E | March 13, 2008 3:32 PM
We want actual voters to be heard right ! ?
Soooooooooo People:
Re - Vote Michigan and Florida
just as long as we
Get RID of the SUPERDELEGATE vote too !
This might be too much about DEMOCRACY though !
Posted by: PulSamsara | March 13, 2008 3:45 PM
If I were Obama,I would tell Hillary to forget the idea of a redo by mail. The Florida Democrat Party thought they were too big to mess with, and decided to jump ahead of the line. Rules are rules for everybody - but Hillary. What a circus. Do you really want to see the Democrats running the country after this fiasco?
Posted by: Jeff in Orlando | March 13, 2008 4:12 PM
I live in Florida and I voted for Hillary in the Democratic primary in January.
If a re-vote is decided in Florida, I WILL VOTE AGAIN FOR HILLARY. The Democratic party and both candidates should support this idea since they all have an interest in resolving this issue.
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT !!!
Posted by: tsr | March 13, 2008 4:22 PM
What a mess....and Thurman's comments are pretty accurate. Florida doesn't have the best reputation for election fairness either.
Its appalling that the elected representatives in Florida and Michigan are trying to offload blame onto the DNC as well.
I mean ridiculous. If I were a Florida or Michigan Democrat I'd vote those bums out for creating the whole sorry mess. If only they had played by the rules...
Posted by: Chris | March 13, 2008 4:53 PM
Demented John E., the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of counting and recounting and recounting three Democratic counties in Florida. It was the U.S. Supreme Court that said the counting had to stop because different counting rules were being applied in three Democratic counties. Geez, you can't even get history right when it's only 7 years old!!! What an incredibly ignorant waste you are!
Posted by: John D | March 13, 2008 5:09 PM
Pistols at dawn. Democrats are imploding with their race and gender war. It's a delight to witness. They deserve the turmoil. Their candidates are bogus, their rules are bogus.
Posted by: V Racer | March 13, 2008 5:59 PM