Wasserman-Schultz helps Nelson lead the battle against the DNC.

[madfloridian]

I can no longer take part in my state party activities. They have not been truthful. The decisions have not been made wisely, and I am thinking many have been made with too little openness.


Dennis Cook / AP Wasserman Schultz: Make Sure Our Votes Are Counted

Florida Defies the DNC

How much internal dissent was there over the decision?

"It really wasn’t difficult. There were a few dissenters in the party leadership--quite honestly, the normal lead dissenter in the Democratic Party leadership in Florida (Jon Ausman, a DNC member from Tallahassee, who frequently disagrees with the party leadership). But there was actually significant unity both in the elected and the party leadership. Three-quarters of executive committee members indicated their support and took two different votes. This is the most significant swing state in this election. It’s incredibly important that we have our say and make sure that our votes are counted."

I don't think they are being honest about the amount of dissent. I don't like her naming names. That is not playing fair, and it will divide us all further. In fact I resent their naming names. Name me, I wrote you and I dissented also. Name me, Debbie.

And apparently they were picked on badly by a committee that was following the rules for which Florida voted.

How much pressure did the DNC put on the state’s Democrats to change the primary date?

"They were quite insistent that the only option was to choose an alternative plan, and they, in our opinion, were totally unreasonable. They refused to really negotiate an acceptable alternative plan. A mail-in ballot done the proper way would cost $7 million, and they offered $800,000. We’re not Iowa or New Hampshire or a state where you can drive across in a matter of an hour. You can’t run, logistically, a caucus-style election in a state our size. We asked to sit down and have a reasonable discussion about how to maximize our voters’ participation. They were absolutely uninterested in sitting down and figuring that out with us. So based on everything I’ve said, it became clear that we should just stick to the Jan. 29 date so we make sure Florida voters are counted."

That bolded part is just not true. Dean has been trying to work with the state party for months. Not true.

I could say a lot more, but it really seems to make no difference or have any impact.

I am disappointed in her very much. I am sick over all the divisions. We have friends here who are now split from us over this because we spoke up.

They are making the DNC the scapegoat though they built the whole thing on lies and propaganda.

Proof. Vindication. Both Florida parties did it for "relevance." From March.
Making up stuff to be relevant

You could also call it the "me first" syndrome.

[robinlynne]

1. Get the hell over yourselves!

[Me.]

2. Sorry To Hear That

Always liked her

[madfloridian]

3. To clarify...hubby and I agree with a change of leadership we will get active

Like we have been. Someone who does not let Senate and House Dems run the whole show.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. What goes around comes around. Nelson and Wasserman will face that fact

when the real facts come out. You cannot cover up lies forever. And many will feel guilty over their behavior.

[madfloridian]

5. She should not have named the name of a "dissenter".

That was bad stuff to do that.

[madfloridian]

6. Miami Herald getting a few digs in...kind of funny.

Subtle dig at Nelson..kind of. Also keeping the flames of the fire alive.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2007/09/nelsons-lawsuit.html

Nelson's lawsuit threat ignored by DNC

"For weeks, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has been brandishing the threat of a lawsuit to get the the Democratic National Committee to back off penalizing Florida at the 2008 convention. In his latest missive to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, Nelson added an ultimatum: respond by 5 p.m. today.

Well, the deadline has come and gone with no word from the DNC about allowing Florida to participate in the convention even though its early primary busted the national party's calendar. At yesterday's press conference in Pembroke Pines, party leaders dismissed questions about a potential suit. Nelson has never gotten specific about the legal grounds.

"The goal is to make sure Florida’s vote counts,” Nelson said in a written statement. “We’re keeping all options on the table to achieve this goal.”

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Can no longer take part in my state party activities? Isn't it true you quit the Demo County

Committee months ago? Methinks you doth protest too much.

[madfloridian]

8. No, not true.

I quit going for a while. Then I started trying again. I hate to give up Hubby toughed it out. We thought we could make a difference, but when a party starts a campaign based on lies we can't do it.

We have tried.

I am sorry you feel I am protesting too much. I feel like people are not protesting enough.

I will continue to follow this because a lawsuit will take money from the party that could be used for building structure and paying organizers.

It is selfish on Florida's part. The only Democrats who are pleased are the ones who have been happy with the DLC, centrist, placating Dems in the past here.

They like it just fine.

On edit to make it clear...not on the committee, just one who attends and works and does things for candidates like getting petition cards signed and getting donations for them. Now the ones we worked with support the censure by the Senate on MoveOn and support the way the party has thumbed their noses at the DNC. We won't work for them.

You know, grunt work. The kind they are going to lose a lot of with these shenanigans.

When someone besides Karen is chair, we might consider it again.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. My apologies. I confused you with Dr.Phool and this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3517655&mesg_id=3519459

[IndianaGreen]

9. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is a wonderful Congresswoman, and your tirades are getting tiresome!

Debbie is a progressive, unlike the centrist Nelson, so your calling her a liar is a smear and I am calling you on it.

[madfloridian]

10. I really am not concerned if people disagree on this.

It is something I consider vital to keep posting about. I have to live here, and I have temporarily lost friends who think I am nuts because I don't think the bad DNC stole my votes.

So I am not concerned at disagreement. I am concerned that few seem to care at all.

I think more care than it shows, but it is difficult to understand. One really does not want to believe a party will wage a campaign like this against its own.

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

11. Corrine Brown: "We are prepared to go to court,"

Florida Democratic leaders ready to sue

They have already urged Floridians to cut funding to the DNC, badmouthed the group to the media and to the members in emails.. I guess suing can't hurt much more than that.

Florida's Democratic congressional delegation would support a lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee if it strips the state of its convention delegates, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown said Monday.

Brown's comments came at a news conference in front of the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office in which the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party and other local Democratic officials affirmed their support for the Jan. 29 presidential primary against the wishes of the national committee.

"We are prepared to go to court," Brown said.

State Chairwoman Karen Thurman said the party itself would not pursue a lawsuit.

Yep, Karen, let the congressional leaders do the work for you.

Oh, and that tax amendment was just thrown out of court...the GOP one that was supposed to be on the ballot January 29.

Despite the possible sanctions, Florida Democrats do not want to change the primary because of other issues on the Jan. 29 ballot - most important, a constitutional amendment to lower property taxes. The state's top Republicans support the measure while Democrats oppose it.

But that strategy was undermined when late Monday, a Leon County judge threw out the amendment, ruling that its wording was too confusing, according to the Associated Press.

Glad the amendment was thrown out.

[madfloridian]

12. There is no way to get the truth out....the media is too great.

:shrug:

I tried, though.

[qdemn7]

13. I agree completely with this:

I think this will be the final straw that will break this ridiculous primary process and give impetus to create a regional primary process that respects diversity and the appropriate role that a variety of states should have. At the end of the day, there isn’t anyone who can change the fact that we’re the fourth-largest state, with 17 million people. It’s kind of hard to impact our clout. There’s no getting away from that.

I've been watching the political process for 40 years, and I'm tired of the whole NH / Iowa obsession. Either we should go to regional primaries or a super-primary day. As it is now, once the first batch of primaries are over, the races are essentially decided. How does that contribute to a diversity of candidates?

[madfloridian]

17. Yep,,big tough Florida more important than other states.

Doesn't have to obey rules because we are Florida, you know.

[AZ Criminal JD]

30. Yes, it is more important

than Iowa or New Hampshire.

[madfloridian]

32. No, that is not true. That is arrogance talking.

They voted for the rules. Then they lied about the DNC. They broke the rules.

[gnuorder]

37. It does no matter who is more important.

It's not that Florida is more important than the other, although it does carry more weight than most in the general election. What is important is that having the primaries on different dates limits the choices for which ever states are last. Florida finally got tired of being last and having no say in who the candidate will be.

[madfloridian]

39. No, they made a power play after they voted for the rules.

.

[gnuorder]

36. Also in agreement

It is ridiculous that Florida has put up with this as long as it has. Since I started voting in the 80's, every primary I have seen my preferred candidate drop out of the race soon after NH/Iowa, well before they make it to Florida. Why should other states limit our choice? We are letting 2 small states be the filter for what is acceptable candidates. Nothing against those states or their choices but I think we are capable of deciding for ourselves.

Oh, and let independents vote in either primary.

[sampsonblk]

14. You are really on top of this. Thanks.

Thanks for keeping us all informed.

[KoKo]

15. Thanks for the info, MF... and a question

Has Robert Wexler taken a side on this?

[madfloridian]

16. Yes, with Schultz.

Just not as outspoken.

[madfloridian]

18. Summary of the rules Florida knew about, voted for, and approved.

They knew what was going on. This is only a short summary from the DNC blog, and I don't have all the rules pages. There are many.

Some highlights of the 2008 Rules:

Calendar
Last year the Party's Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling issued its recommendations on the 2008 primary and caucus calendar.

The Party recognizes the need early in the nominating process to broaden participation to reflect the Party’s rich racial, regional, and economic diversity by including 2 additional states. Twelve states applied to conduct early primaries and caucuses. We believe that shows the energy and excitement for opening up the process.

The addition of 2 states early in the process will also open up the dialogue to engage a broader range of people to talk about a wider variety of issues. This will enable the Democratic Party to choose the strongest candidate to be our Presidential nominee.

The new schedule is as follows:

Iowa holds the first-in-the-nation caucus on January 14.
New Hampshire holds the first-in-the-nation primary on January 22.
Nevada conducts a caucus between Iowa and New Hampshire on Saturday, January 19.
South Carolina holds a primary 1 week after the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, January 29
The regular window will open for all other states on the first Tuesday in February -- February 5, 2008. (Florida jumped ahead of the February 5th date to January 29th....knowing full well the penalties.)

Presidential Candidate Sanctions on the Window
There is a new rule that imposes new sanctions on presidential candidates. If a state, any state, violates the rule on timing/the window, presidential candidates will face sanctions if they campaign in that state. Examples of campaigning include: making personal appearances in the state, hiring campaign workers, and buying advertising and so on.

Currently, the only punishment for states that violate the window was on State Parties. This new enforcement provision recognizes that presidential candidates must also bear a responsibility in enforcing the window or face sanctions.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/08/highlights_of_t.php

[madfloridian]

19. Dean's response to Nelson, Hastings via the St. Pete Times

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/09/dean-to-nelson-.html

September 25, 2007
Dr. Dean's prescription for Florida: Get in compliance or deal with the consequences. The letter's in the jump.

September 21, 2007
Honorable Bill Nelson
United States Senate
716 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Honorable Alcee Hastings
United States House of Representatives
2353 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Senator Nelson and Congressman Hastings:

I am in receipt of your recent letter concerning the date of the Florida 2008 presidential primary.

In your letter, you ask that I lift the sanctions imposed against the Florida Democratic Party by close of business, Monday, September 24, 2007. You also suggest that my doing so may help to avoid a legal challenge.

As you know, Florida’s 2008 Delegate Selection Plan was found in Non-Compliance by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC). This finding of Non-Compliance inc luded the automatic delegate reductions imposed under the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules. Additionally, the RBC, exercising a power conferred exclusively on them under the Rules, imposed a further reduction in the delegation, equal to a total 100% delegate loss. The decision to impose the additional reduction was approved by a very substantial majority of the RBC.

As the Florida Democratic Party was fully informed a month ago, the delegate reductions become effective if the Florida Democratic Party fails to submit a revised and compliant Plan by September 29, 2007. Proposed solutions that you reference in your letter would not comply with the Rules in that both proposed solutions keep the January 29, 2008 primary as a binding event that would allocate delegates among presidential candidates.

As I have said before, I remain committed to discussing solutions to this issue that comply with the Delegate Selection Rules overwhelmingly adopted by the full DNC over a year ago.

Sincerely,
Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Chairman

September 25, 2007 in Bill Nelson, Democrats, Presidential campaign | Permalink

[madfloridian]

20. Update today: "Nelson to DNC: That’s it. Now I’m REALLY suing"

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/floridapolitics/entries/2007/09/25/nelson_to_dnc_thats_it_now_im.html

"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson Tuesday moved from threatening a lawsuit over the National Democratic Party’s penalizing Florida for holding its presidential primary too early to, well, even more explicitly threatening a lawsuit.

“We’re disappointed in Gov. Dean’s response. He’s rejected at least three compromise solutions. Now there is no choice. I’m preparing a lawsuit,” Nelson said in a prepared statement.

Nelson had asked Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean to rescind the stripping of Florida’s Democratic delegates. Dean responded Monday that he would not."

[riona]

21. I wonder why Nelson thinks his suit would be successful?

And, if there is a suit, I can't imagine that the case will be resolved expeditiously. With Nelson's attitude, a compromise isn't looking good either.

[madfloridian]

22. There is a 1981 Supreme Court ruling in the DNC's favor.

Nelson really should back off now.

Karen should stop letting Congress run our state party.

[madfloridian]

23. Calling out "dissidents", squelching "dissidence"...how it is done here.

Hubby and I have committed a mortal sin of speaking out against this. So I resent that she called Jon Ausman out. I have other stuff, but this part was in the Tampa Bay Buzz blog Sept 14.

He is speaking out for openness....he is no "dissident".

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/09/ausman-stikes-b.html

[madfloridian]

25. Update: Dean into the Lions' Den....takes courage.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/files/october_9_dnc_reception_invite.pdf

I believe many fundraiser events leave the money in the states, or least a great part of it.

[Carrieyazel]

26. And these two clowns really did a great job preventing the Repukes from stealing Florida in 2000

didn't they? Well, we're not going to let you foist Hillary on us, if that's what you're thinking about doing.

[Carrieyazel]

27. Dean needs to come out and put these two in their place.

Thankfully, we have a real DNC head now. Florida got selfish and wrongly decided to move ahead. If they wanted to do this, they should have made their intentions clear last year. This only helps big money, front-running candidates like Hillary, when these big states are moved up. So Bill and Debbie, get ready for the Howard Hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!

[mod mom]

28. Is this a DLC power attempt against Dean's leadership?

[Carrieyazel]

29. This could very well be that. I thought about that not long after I saw

this post.

[madfloridian]

34. Some thoughts.

Florida may be feeling angry that other states are getting attention. I say that because I have heard the leadership hear say that Florida would not be getting as much money with the 50 state strategy. But in fact, Dean bailed them out in 05 with around $200,000 that they were in debt. It's been rough here financially for the party, and I thought that was fair.

But deeper than that...the new strategy is not so much centering in on the South, but on the West. Here is one statement.

Article on New Map Out West

Overall, service and professional jobs are multiplying throughout the West as farming and mining employment, economic staples for years, have declined. Demand is growing for public services such as mass transit, healthcare, and schools, making the Democrats' pro-government image more appealing and the GOP calls for lower taxes and less government more problematic. Increasingly pragmatic voters also appear less interested in the "values issues" that have tended to help Republicans, such as same-sex marriage, abortion, and gun control.

Add it all up, and Democrats hope a new day is dawning. "We intend to contest Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada as a unit next time in the presidential because we think we can win there," Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told U.S. News. Dean's theory is that, with a combined total of 29 electoral votes, those four states would make it unnecessary for the Democrats to win Florida, with 27 electoral votes, which they have lost in the last two down-to-the-wire presidential elections. "Bill Clinton won every single one of those states at one time or another," Dean added.

So it's partly they don't like the 50 state plan, partly that Bill Nelson hates Dean and it is carrying over. Partly that the party leaders here except for a few are very centrist indeed. I had friends who had made great inroads into higher places here but had to just give up or let their health suffer. You have to know when to fold and fight later.

[Dr Fate]

35. It's no secret that the DLC prefers Ford, a man who endorsed a 3rd party- as the DNC chair.

Harold Ford, theleader of the DLC, did indeed endorse Joe Lieberman (I-3rd Party) in case anyone out there pretends to have forgotten that.

[mod mom]

42. Anyone who supports LIEberman is not working in the Democratic Party (or the nation's)

best interest.

The sooner we extract the power from the DLC, the better. I believe they are attempting to divide the party to give their true alliance (with republicans) the wins.

[cobalt1999]

31. My only complaint is that Florida should have done this in 2004.

Instead of Dean being torpedoed by the pre-selected early states, he would have gotten a great boost by Florida and maybe be the President right now.

Anything that destroys this ridiculous primary system is fine with me, I just wish the state had the balls to do it four years ago.

[KoKo]

33. "MF" you know it's hard to wrap brain around this....Florida AGAIN!

and all those who tried to do something about Florida have one of those we thought was a great New Progressive (a HOPE for the Future of the Dem Party) like Wasserman-Schultz turn on activists and strike them down...and a weak Wexler..gives some support...well it kind of shows what it's all about..in the end. And, that there are those in the Dem Party who fly under "false Flags."

[blm]

38. Unfortunately, the Clintons are playing more hardball with other Dem leaders than

they ever did against Bush the last 6 years.

I am sorry that Dean is being targeted this way for doing his job according to the rules.

Bushes and Clintons believe in changing the rules to suit their needs, and fuck everyone else.

And, NO, I am not going to get into any exchanges where people need to PRETEND that Clintons aren't the ones pulling this stunt. They are and most of us predicted stunts like this to force Dean out since Dean became chair.

[madfloridian]

41. I suspect.

there is an element of that. But I am been pounded on for two days so I decided not to say it...glad you did, though.

It may not be personal with them, but it is about power.

[madfloridian]

40. Great blog post about Nelson....saying he needs to let the party handle it.

http://pushingrope.blogspot.com/2007/09/tough-guy-bill-nelson.html

"Bill Nelson threatened to open a can of whoop ass on the Democratic National Committee. He then wrote a letter to the stating that the DNC "could not be bound by state law to simply ratify the results of the violating Jan. 29, 2008 state government primary..." Nelson is back to channeling his inner-Clint Eastwood.

"We’re disappointed in Gov. Dean’s response,'' Nelson said in a written statement. "He’s rejected at least three compromise solutions. Now there is no choice. I’m preparing a lawsuit.”

There is a choice. Nelson can stay out of the fray and let the DNC and Florida Democratic Party handle the matter. Nelson is only making matters worse. He should stick to his full-time job of being a Senator. Last time I checked, he wasn't doing that task too well."

Good for Pushing Rope.

And may I say the same to Alcee Hastings, Wasserman-Schultz, Wexler, Geller, Gelber, and all the other folks who have far more seriou business to do.