WP op-ed: "Why We Stood Up to Florida," by Donna Brazile

[DeepModem Mom]

Why We Stood Up to Florida
By Donna Brazile
Saturday, September 1, 2007; Page A25

Last Saturday, the Democratic National Committee's rules and bylaws committee voted to enforce its rules. It was hardly an extraordinary act, although you wouldn't know it from the furious reaction that ensued in some quarters. Why the uproar?

It's simple: state envy. Just look at what one governor said recently regarding her state moving its primary forward in 2008. "Holding an early presidential preference election attracts more presidential candidates, staff and media to Arizona," said Gov. Janet Napolitano, "increasing Arizona's sales tax revenues and promoting Arizona's hotels, restaurants and businesses." At least she was honest.

As a member of the DNC's rules and bylaws committee, I understand why states such as Arizona, Michigan, Ohio and Wyoming, and even the District of Columbia, crave the media attention and financial resources that holding an early presidential contest draws. But the nominating system should not be determined by a state's economic development plan or a desire to have candidates focus on parochial issues....

Once upon a time, presidential candidates and campaigns could rely on a nominating system that was easy to understand. Though envious of the role that Iowa and New Hampshire played in winnowing the field, most states abided by the calendar set by national party rules and waited their turn. But while the rules afforded clarity, they lacked inclusiveness. Everyone knew that when showtime started, only a few voters would be allowed on stage. And those folks, while deeply knowledgeable and passionate about their responsibility, just didn't represent the diversity of our party and our country.

The DNC tried to address this problem by letting two states join Iowa and New Hampshire in the coveted "pre-window" period before Feb. 5. States were invited to apply, and 12 of them, plus the District of Columbia, did so. The process was fair and democratic. Florida, which had a chance to become "first in the South," did not apply. Now it is asking for another chance....

(The writer, who managed Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign, is a member of the rules and bylaws committee of the Democratic National Committee.)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101427.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MaineDem]

2. I figured it wouldn't take long for this

:shrug:

[DURHAM D]

3. DLC butt wiper???

I guess you are not aware that allowing Florida to move up its primary mostly advantages Hillary Clinton - someone that many would claim is DLC.

You obviously do not understand the issue.

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. Thanks for contributing to the discussion...NOT n/t

[Adelante]

5. So the DLC is behind this op-ed?

Christ almighty, she's defending the DNC and its legitimate defense of its rules. I've seen nothing to indicate the DLC is terribly supportive of Howard Dean, anyway, have you?

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. Get real. Both Howard Dean and Al Gore still consider Brazille

to be a close friend and trusted advisor. You may not like everything she says and does, but she is not a DLC shill, and if she is shilling for anyone here, it is for Chairman Howard Dean on behalf of the DNC. I stand with Howard on this one.

[demommom]

14. We all thank you for such an intelligent post.

:sarcasm:

[rateyes]

18. You need to read this all again....

Brazille is not defending the DLC. She's defending the DNC rules that Florida agreed to, and then wanted to change in the middle of the game. Sorry, but your post is out of line. Try again.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. Donna Brazile is correct

Not only is the system broken but the way it is evolving now dramatically increases the influence of big money and establishment backed candidates. A Jimmy Carter would never have had a prayor of a chance to get nominated with a primary system that forces deserving candidates who are not already extrememly well connected with party insiders to somehow raise the money needed to compete in a slew of early large media market states right out of the gate. Even if s/he does well in one or two, the pile on of primaries that follows within days makes it impossible for almost any machine independent candidate to replenish their resourses and compete in the following contests. If you are not already a media annointed celebrity, rich, or an inside favorite, increasingly people get written off as nonviable as presidential candidates even before they announce any intention to run.

[demommom]

8. I agree with Donna and Tom.

Our country is teetering on the edge of a bottomless pit. If we continue to allow money and celebrity to choose our leadership, we may just fall the rest of the way in and never recover.
These states trying to jump ahead are showing a mentality of the "schoolyard bully."

[nevergiveup]

9. Great comment

The primary process is becoming a sham and a joke.

[Patsy Stone]

10. So will they negate Michigan's delegates as well?

What's going to happen there?

[Adelante]

11. They will if Michigan persists

Any state that breaks the rules they all agreed to abide by will forfeit their delegates, but Dean seems to be allowing a 30-day cooling off period for these states to reconsider their positions.

[Patsy Stone]

27. I don't see the point of any of this stupidity, on either side.

If there's one thing we don't need now, it's a distraction.

[madfloridian]

13. Yes, because Democrats there started it. Granholm was wrong...

the Democratic party there was wrong to buck the system.

It is a power play.

Yes, they will lost their delegates.

[IndianaGreen]

23. Like Floridians, Michiganders will see their state referred to as a "rogue" state

just as Bush has referred to democratic countries like Venezuela as "rogue states" simply because their leader and people refuse to bend to an authoritarian jackboot.

I will remind DUers that political reformers wanted to end the monopoly of being first enjoyed by Iowa and New Hampshire. The DNC did not change the system, it merely tried to innoculate itself against criticism from reformers by adding two more small states. That's not reform, that's more of the status quo with a sleight of hand to make people think that things are different.

[madfloridian]

24. I like seeing Florida referred to like that when they are wrong.

And when they have lied.

[madfloridian]

12. Good for Donna. She is right. Florida is being a bully.

Recommended.

[Cameron27]

15. Nicely framed argument by Brazile,

Florida never should have started this.

[janx]

16. I love this!

My two favorite quotes:

"Wyoming is still making noises..."

and

"We can begin by setting a reasonable starting date -- I suggest the time when the snow gives way to tulips and daffodils."

[madfloridian]

17. Two very sensible statements by Donna B.

'As we begin to contemplate the calendar for 2012, and the rules that will govern that process, both major parties must craft a system that makes sense for voters and candidates. We can begin by setting a reasonable starting date -- I suggest the time when the snow gives way to tulips and daffodils. We can make sure the nominating schedule does not unfairly favor the rock stars of politics. And we must make sure the campaign finance laws allow more than just the candidates with deep pockets and ties to big donors to be competitive.

Perhaps by 2012 both major parties will commit to reforming the nominating process to give as many people as much of a voice as possible. We're long overdue for a rational system to elect a president of the United States."

[Bjorn Against]

19. If only she would have stood up to Florida in 2000 n/t

[IndianaGreen]

20. Donna Brazile is a personal friend of Karl Rove. She should explain their relationship!

It's simple: state envy.

It isn't state envy. It is GREED on the part of the Iowa Ethanol whores. That pitiful state counts on months of cash infusion from candidates and media, a form of white welfare to line up their pockets and inflate their egos.

Florida and Michigan are the Jupiter and Saturn of this political season, yet we are dissing them by calling them rogues (the same term used by Bush to characterize countries that don't bent to his imperial ambitions), while supporting four dwarf planets.

If we snub and offend Florida and Michigan, they will do the same to us next Fall.

[madfloridian]

21. Oh, baloney, IG. You are really on a tear against Democrats.

.

[AtomicKitten]

22. As I have said all along, Ms. Brazile is not bereft of worth.

[gulliver]

25. Innumerate, ergo dumb.

God I hate to see non-math-based solutions to math problems. I really couldn't care less what Ms. Brazile or any other DNC political wonk thinks would be fair or what their historical explanation is. We don't have years for this to be worked out on fingers and toes by self-interested hacks while the innumerate look on in admiration.

Make the order random or have the primaries on a single day just like the election. Stop diddling with it. I'm sick of people making their money on the inefficiency and unfairness of an antiquated system designed before mass media.

[madfloridian]

26. Kick for a good op ed.

:kick: