Florida lawmakers unanimous in vow to support voters' rights

[IndianaGreen]

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007

Contact:
Dan McLaughlin ( Nelson )
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David Goldenberg ( Hastings )
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Florida lawmakers unanimous in vow to support voters' rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of Florida's Democratic congressional delegation unanimously declared Tuesday they'll support voters' rights to have their ballots count in a Jan. 29 statewide presidential primary, in lieu of a later caucus of candidates' supporters as just ordered by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

"We cannot go along with anything but the state-run primary set for next January," the 10 Democratic lawmakers led by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said in a joint statement issued today. "We strongly encourage all Democrats to vote for their preferred nominee in that primary, regardless of whatever penalties the DNC might enact."

"The vote is going to matter - period," the lawmakers said.

Florida's Democratic congressional delegation is comprised of Nelson and U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd Jr. of Monticello, Corrine Brown of Jacksonville, Kathy Castor of Tampa, Alcee Hastings of Miramar, Ron Klein of Boca Raton, Tim Mahoney of Palm Beach Gardens, Kendrick Meek of Miami, Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston and Robert Wexler of Boca Raton.

Their statement comes after holding a conference call yesterday, and three days after the DNC under Chairman Howard Dean voted to strip the state of its delegates to the national convention if the Florida Democratic Party refuses to hold a caucus on Feb. 5 or later, instead of a binding primary on Jan. 29. The primary date is set by a new law passed recently by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

The congressional delegation members also said they intend to mount a legal challenge aimed at blocking the DNC from banning Florida delegates - if it comes to that. Nelson, who has spoken with DNC leadership about the Saturday decision, said today, "I hope we're going to be able to work this out. The easy solution is for a few other states to move their primaries up before Florida's."

The DNC still has four weeks in which it can change its directive regarding Florida's delegates, but has yet to signal any intention of doing so. "We hope that over the next few weeks, the DNC and its chairman will show a willingness to work with us to find an equitable solution that is acceptable to all," the lawmakers said.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/28/336259.aspx

[LittleClarkie]

1. Conversely, the Florida Dems have four weeks in which they can change their primary

So it seems it really didn't matter whether or not the Dems in Florida didn't have the votes to stop this bill. They were as supportive of the move as the GOP in Florida.

So much for that argument.

When you thumb your nose at the boss, the boss doesn't have much choice than to penalize you in some way.

If Florida's primary doesn't count, it's the fault of the state party, and no one else.

[madfloridian]

3. Exactly.

But at DU the left and right have gone so far either way they are meeting on the other side to attack the DNC. Keep an eye out, you will see.

[jmp]

11. In the case of a mob boss ...

They tend to break your thumbs. ;)

[madfloridian]

2. Oh, right. Let other states move up to sabotage all of it says Nelson.

Boy, you are on a crusade against the dnc here, IG. I guess it's ok since you don't like Democrats much anyway.

And Good Germans like me you especially despise.

But that's ok. I think Bill Nelson should put his lawsuit where his big mouth is.

He stands for nothing, but come a chance to destroy the DNC he is there with bells on.

[LittleClarkie]

4. The conservative/centrist Dems don't much like Dean

do they.

[jmp]

12. I wouldn't call you a "Good German" but ...

You sure do seem to devote an inordinate amount of time to posting story after story, post after post, and thread after thread backing Dean's stance. I'll assume that you are not paid to do this ... but you really should be.

If not more convincingly, you certainly do defend Dean's position much more repetitively than he does himself. ;)

[PurityOfEssence]

13. I'd say that's just the sign of a deeply outraged person with a moral compass

I'm outraged by the selfish, bellicose, arrogant stance of the Florida Democratic state legislators here, and the laughable alligator tears about being victims for not being allowed to screw over the entire rest of the country are infuriating. This is from a Californian; were I a Floridian like this poster, I'd be embarrassed by and angry at my fellow Floridians and even more incensed by the whole thing.

This poster is to be commended for backing Dean here, not ridiculed; this is quite understandable under stress like this, and the product of decency.

Although this may seem like a picayune issue, it's not; this is a core issue of being a member of an organization and a pluralist society and not demanding one's personal ambition to simply trample others with impunity. Orderliness is necessary for people to step up and have their voices heard and votes counted, and to disrupt the lives and dreams of others just because one feels "wronged" is an act of selfishness and a danger to us all. To jump to the head of the line is to screw over all the others who live up to their word; it is, in short, an infantile demand for extreme privilege.

This poster is to be commended for singing the praises of Howard Dean as he steps in to do his job: hold people accountable to their word and enforce the rules.

[jmp]

15. Her "moral compass" is pointing straight up Dean's ...

and the laughable alligator tears about being victims for not being allowed to screw over the entire rest of the country are infuriating.

Hmmm ... I don't sense the same anger towards Iowa & NH, and they have been screwing the rest of us forever.

I guess fury is selective.


Orderliness is necessary for people to step up and have their voices heard and votes counted, and to disrupt the lives and dreams of others just because one feels "wronged" is an act of selfishness and a danger to us all.

If the DNC wasn't discriminating against Florida ... there would be no revolt. Codified discrimination is discrimination just the same, and no more legitimate.

I am not bound by any rule or law designed to screw me.

Saying that the Feb 5 date applies to every state equally ... except for these 4 states ... is BS!

Don't like the revolt? Tough! :grr:

[PurityOfEssence]

17. Ah, so your word means nothing

If you're a part of an organization, you're beholden to the rules. If you don't like the rules, take action to change them within the organization, leave the organization or suffer along like the rest of us inferiors.

I've repeatedly stated that the super-statehood given to a few states is out of line, but those ARE the rules, and they've been in place for quite a long time. If this was a problem, it should have been addressed somewhere in late November of 2004 to get the ball rolling.

There is NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FLORIDA IN THIS INSTANCE, and saying so is absurd. I guarantee you that if any other state had tried this, Dean would have done the same thing. No other state has, so there's absolutely no justification to claiming discrimination; there's no other analogous situation.

If you have the slightest whiff of anything resembling an ethic, you would know that if you agree to be a part of an organization, you agree to respect the rules and the judgment of the leadership in a case of breach. Nobody's "picking on" Florida; Florida's Democrats in the legislature tried to go back on their word, screw the system for their own benefit (and by doing so, screwing many, many other people, mind you) and now they and their cohorts snivel like victims.

I'm on the side of orderliness and respect for others in this, while all you seem to do is fume with a red-faced overemoticon that if I don't just succumb to whatever you deign to dish out I can simply face your fury. Ever heard of democracy or pluralism? How about coexistence? I know these are just quaint concepts that fly in the face of selfish retaliation rage, but they ARE the bases of civilization.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Political Parties determine delegate requirements not state or federal law

As an Indiana resident I could care less if Florida doesn't get to make an impact on who becomes the nominee.

[JTFrog]

14. You and me both.

And to hear people whine because they couldn't be first when our vote won't count for squat is infuriating in itself.

Once I saw the transcript of the Dem leader making a joke of his own amendment I was sick to my stomach.

[jmp]

16. States determine who appears on the ballot.

...

[LiberalFighter]

18. Delegates are decided after the primaries or caucuses

Delegates are determined based on the outcome of the primary elections or caucuses in state conventions. State convention delegates determine who will be National Convention Delegates within their own Congressional District.

And then there are super delegates.

Voters don't have a right to decide what happens at the National Democratic or Republican Conventions. The rules are determine by the National Party consisting of members elected by those within the party.

States don't completely determine who appear on the ballot. They only decide minimum requirements necessary to become a candidate.

Candidates decide whether they will comply with the requirements to have their name placed on the ballot. If candidates fail to comply or decide not to comply with regulations the states cannot force candidates to be on the ballot.

[riona]

6. I am up to my ears with politicians

Dean is the official head of the DNC and has done a remarkable job. It is his obligation to enforce the Party rules. I can't see any up side to this vicious opposition. It seems to me that this is causing unnecessary disunity within the Party and will eventually cause disruption of many state primaries. Yes, I want my vote to count. I also want to play by the rules. The voters were let down in Tallahassee. They let us down by not working with Dean for an equitable solution. I am absolutely weary of Florida's shenanigans during and after elections. I say, keep your personal dislike of Dean to yourself and start behaving like adults

[cobalt1999]

7. I agree with the Florida Legislature and...

I like Dean too. In fact, I would have liked to have been able to vote for him in 2004, but being in Florida and having no say, I couldn't.

Some people are reading more into this fight than there really is. Remember the exact same thing is happening to the Republican National Committee too and it's leader, so this isn't about Dean only. Furthermore, it's not only the citizens of Florida who don't like the current setup.

This is, in fact, a rebellion by both state legislature parties, and supported by (if you believe the polls) well over 2 to 1 by the voters in this state. People are just tired of the same old "we know better than you voters" approach BOTH the RNC & DNC takes to keeping the existing "favored states" system in place.

This is only about claiming the right to have an equal say. Either we stand up and force a change, or we sit back and take our committee assigned position.

I'll stand with the voters over the backroom committee guys.

[riona]

8. I know what you mean

That last presidential primary date was disappointing and I agree that an earlier date is needed. In the future, I would hope for one primary date for all states, but I suppose that's too much to ask. And while I'm on a mini rant, I'd like to see the whole Electoral College put out to pasture where it belongs and elections decided by the popular vote.

[bluedog]

9. its time for just 1 primary date!

enough of this wasteless jabber.......1 date........sort them out....and get down to real business!

[William769]

10. I have been on the phone all moring with Senators Nelson's office

As many many Florida Democrats have. He has my unwavering support on this issue.