Democratic activist sues over loss of Florida delegates

[madfloridian]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070830/APP/708300895

"TAMPA, Fla. -- A Tampa Democratic activist sued the national and state Democratic parties in federal court Thursday over the national party's decision to strip Florida of its delegates for next year's presidential nominating convention. Seeking to penalize Florida for moving up its primary election to Jan. 29, the Democratic National Committee's rules committee voted Saturday to take away Florida's 210 votes in the national nominating convention in Denver next summer.

Political consultant Victor DiMaio, who serves on the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, claims in his lawsuit that the action violates his constitutional rights.

"Right now we have zero delegates, so we have no voice" in choosing the Democratic nominee for president, DiMaio said.

The suit, which names the Democratic National Committee and the Florida Democratic Party as defendants, seeks clarification of the law."

More:

"The Democratic National Committee said they are within their rights.

"Florida has the right to determine its primary date. However, the Supreme Court determined more than 25 years ago that the Democratic Party has the legal right to establish the rules by which they select and seat delegates to the National Convention. We continue to hope that Florida will do the right thing and come up with a plan that's in compliance with the rules the DNC and its members from Florida voted for," said DNC spokeswoman Stacie Paxton"

I hear a major Democratic leader here will also sue...but have not seen it online yet.

Let's have the suits, let them begin.

Let's see if comes out that the Florida party has been far less than honest.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1465

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1460

[flyarm]

1. Let's see if comes out that the Florida party has been far less than honest.

"Let's see if comes out that the Florida party has been far less than honest."


THAT IS HOW I SEE IT!! 100%.. the push within the party for over a year has been hillary and nothing but hillary..this benefits hillary and no one else!!

It's why Rahm got involved with all our counties election last Nov..he had his hands in all our party's candidates..and f'ed all our great dems..

The DLC is running this fiasco..count on that!!..the DLC wants Hillary to get Fla..and so do the repigs!

fly

[madfloridian]

2. DNC to withhold delegates from Michigan as well.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/michigans-primary-now-even-earlier/?hp

"The Democratic and Republican national committees have indicated they will sanction Michigan for holding an early primary. The D.N.C. has said it will take away all the state’s national convention delegates, while the R.N.C. may refuse to seat half of them. Last weekend, a D.N.C. panel threatened to impose a similar punishment on Florida for deciding to hold the state’s party primary on Jan. 29.

“If Florida is any indication, Michigan would lose its delegates if it moved to Jan. 15,” said Stacie Paxton, a D.N.C. spokeswoman. She added that with no delegates at stake, the presidential candidates may decide to campaign elsewhere.

Attempting to head off such a move, Governor Granholm sent a letter to presidential candidates in both parties today encouraging them to “campaign actively and vigorously in Michigan."

SO who in Michigan is going to sue Dean and the DNC? Heck, I am sure someone will to "clarify" the rules. If everyone sues that will be a way to hurt the DNC financially.

And maybe someone in Michigan will come out like this county in Florida did and threaten "bloodshed" within the party.

One Florida county is saying there will be further bloodshed.

And look how they phrase it...in fighting mode. Angry and vindictive because the rules were followed by the national party. Rules they voted to put in place.

Will there be a January 29th Florida Democratic Primary? Yes!

Will your vote count? Yes!

Will there be further inter-party bloodshed in our usual "circular firing squad"? Yes!

Will the FDP win the fight ... Yes!

Dave Dew, Chair
Martin County Democratic Executive Committee