Apparently in Florida “friends don’t let friends” vote Democrat either!
by Tina Grazier
Florida is among several states that have moved the dates of their primaries up in order to attract the attention of presidential candidates and exert more influence in the election. This change is now at the center of a curious little scrap that's being played out between Florida’s party leadership and the Democratic National Committee.
According to DNC rules, states other than Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina cannot hold their 2008 primary contests before Feb. 5. Now that Florida’s primary is Scheduled for January 29th, the DNC has decided to punish Florida delegates saying Florida democrats didn’t do enough to stop the primary date change.
The harsh decision to strip Florida of all convention delegates is not being received well. Florida’s delegation is looking into the possibility of a voting rights investigation as well as a protest at the natioanal convention in Denver next summer.
Every (DNC) member voted against Florida except for the state's representative on the panel, Allan Katz. *** Refusing to seat the delegates would set a "terrible situation for Florida and a very bad situation for the Democratic Party," Katz said.
Jon Ausman, a DNC member from Florida, pleaded for a role in what could turn out to be a historic election, with the potential of the first woman, black or Hispanic nominee, even if the state were the "black sheep" of the primary season. *** "We're asking you for mercy, not judgment," he told the rules committee meeting in a hotel conference room.
Terrie Brady, a DNC member who helped present Florida's case, said the party's denial of delegates disenfranchises Florida voters. Rules committee members objected to the term, saying Florida's votes would be counted if they followed the rules. *** "I find your use of the word disenfranchisement to be an overstatement," said committee member David McDonald, who is from Washington state.
They say what comes around goes around. Is this somehow the "goes around" to the whole hanging chad nonsense? This is, after all, the party of fairness and rights...the party that cares and never makes judgments. The party of equal...everything! So common guys, can’t you all just get along?
Read the story Florida Dems Could Lose Say in 2008 Race by Nedra Pickler writing for Forbes in Washington.
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