AP: Florida ain't budgng on primary

[Perky]

Sep 22, 8:56 PM EDT


Florida Demos to Keep Jan. 29 Primary

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Democratic Party will stick with a Jan. 29 presidential primary even if it means losing all its nominating convention delegates, a party source said Saturday.

The Democratic National Committee gave the state party until Sept. 29 to come up with an alternative delegate selection plan to stay within party rules, such as caucuses or a vote-by-mail primary, but party leadership has rejected that idea.

State party Chairman Karen Thurman, members of the congressional delegation and state legislative leaders were scheduling a news conference Sunday to announce their position. State party staff has been polling executive committee members and determined at least 75 percent support for the early primary, the source said. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because executive committee members were still be notified.

"On Jan. 29, 2.5 million Floridians are going to go to the polls, and that's more telling than any caucus in Iowa," said Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Garcia. "We'll be damned for it by some, but I think we're doing the right thing."

Broward County state committeewoman Diane Glasser, who also serves as state party first chair, said that she is fine with the decision as long as the state selects delegates in the event that they can go to the convention in Denver next summer.

"I'm not concerned with the DNC," she said.

The DNC Rules Committee voted last month to strip Florida of its 210 delegates if the state party held a primary before Feb. 5. Major Democratic presidential candidates have signed a pledge to restrict campaigning in Florida if it violates party rules.

[madfloridian]

1. Hey who cares what they do anymore.

Let them sue. Let them financially take down the DNC. Let them show their true colors. Let Bill Nelson join Victor of Tampa in suing. Go for it.

They are not important to me anymore.

[jmp]

2. Hopefully they won't cave at the last minute. (nm)

...

[madfloridian]

3. I guess most realize who will take Florida.

So no need to say it. But the amazing thing is that Florida played along and helped pass the bill. All they had to do was fight it and keep the delegates. They made fun of Dean, laughed at him, and thumbed their noses at the party.

They have lost a lot of real active people over this.

This and the condemnation have broken our hearts, and several of our friends here agree that there is nothing left in the party here for us.

I think some in our party had better stop letting the GOP define it all, or we are going to lose next year.

[2rth2pwr]

4. self delete- missed post

[madfloridian]

5. People will have to use their imagination.

I wrote pages about their effort to undermine Dean and the DNC, but I am not going to say it out loud who this is about.

[2rth2pwr]

6. I posted that I wanted to hear your take on this, you have been

covering this issue pretty comprehensively. After I hit "Post Message" I realized that I had missed your post, you had already spoken up. I'm sure the mods can confirm this for you.

[madfloridian]

7. Here's a partial summary of my posts in order.

of the happening. I was really angered. Still am. Remember DNC rules have an opt out for a state that is Republican controlled. It says if you really fight you can keep your delegates. They went along and even helped introduce it and thumbed their nose at Dean when he called and tried to talk.

Enough of this. Florida Democrats now threaten Dean and the DNC with a "voting rights probe".
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1453

The "appropriate legal official" to "investigate" Dean and the DNC...is...Gonzales.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1452

Nelson: "I will lead the delegates to Denver whether or not the DNC plans to let them in."
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1455

Two summaries of the DNC committee ruling about Florida.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1456

Florida sowed the seeds of a propaganda war against the DNC.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1458

Proof. Vindication. Both Florida parties did it for "relevance." From March.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1459

The latest Florida propaganda tactic here about attacking the DNC...local email.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1460

Florida's Geller joked about his amendment: "sarcasm and audible laughter in chamber"
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1461

One Florida county is saying there will be further bloodshed. Much argument here today.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1462

Florida Democratic Party website building anger toward the DNC
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1465

Democratic activist sues over loss of Florida delegates
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1466

"Dean was conciliatory and offered DNC help for the state"..hour long phone call
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1467

Gelber admits they did not fight the GOP about the primary.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1468

"Primary bully Florida ought to be ashamed"...four articles catch on to Florida's primary ploy.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1469

Bill Nelson today will file a bill for regional primaries...but first he had to get your attention
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1478

Bill Nelson today: "DNC penalties unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable"
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1479