Kudos to Howard Dean for heading to Destin, Florida, even though they are on the attack.

[madfloridian]

It takes courage and determination to keep presenting your case to a state which thinks it is the only state that counts...a state that believes they are in the right for breaking the rules they voted for.

Howard Dean to make appearance in Destin

Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is coming to Destin. And the chairwoman of Okaloosa County’s Democratic Party stands ready to give him an ear full.

“I’ve got a few questions to ask him,” Toni Craig said. “Needless to say I’m not very happy with the DNC.”

Dean will be at Harbor Docks restaurant at 8 a.m. Thursday for a breakfast meet and greet with local party aficionados. He might not be overly popular with any Florida Democrats following a recent decision by the national party to bar the state’s 210 nominating convention delegates from participating in next August‘s national nominating convention in Denver.

“There may be some protesters,” Craig said.

But Charles Morgan, the owner of Harbor Dock’s, promised a distinguished affair inside his restaurant.

“We can’t have any nuts come in here and have a battle,” he said.

Morgan said he has arranged for Dean and Craig to have a telephone conversation this week to air any differences they might have.

Kudos to Governor Dean for his persistence and for biting his tongue in the midst of all the lawsuits and the personal attacks.

Some are also going to "not attend" his Tally fundraiser either. Horses' patooty Steve Geller is going to pout and not go.

Geller says Dean only welcome in some areas of Florida

A**hole Geller.

Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, who on Wednesday labeled Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina “terrorist, rogue states” for coercing Democratic presidential candidates not to campaign in Florida in advance of its Jan. 29 primary, on Thursday announced he will not be attending a Tallahassee fundraiser held by the head terrorist himself, Democratic chairman Howard Dean.

“He’s welcome in certain, small enclaves of the state,” Geller told the Q. “If you don’t have something nice to say about someone, you shouldn’t say anything at all. Therefore I will not go.”

Keep it up, Governor Dean. To most of us here you are quite welcome in any city and county.

I apologize for the ones here who tried to undercut your fundraising, and who are institigating lawsuits when the Supreme Court has already made a ruling.

I apologize for Bill Nelson and Alcee Hastings who are among those announcing a lawsuit against you tomorrow.

I think they have forgotten that we the people are the party, and they were elected to do as we wish. They were not elected to humiliate and ridicule the party leaders we fought to get elected.

Welcome to Florida, Governor.

I remember when he was campaigning he talked of his years as governor. He said if an area of Vermont were angry he would head that way and let them sound off at him. And listen.

He is making Florida seem petty in their behavior now.

[cali]

1. So true about his showing up when folks were angry

at him. Dean's got the courage of his convictions, and I've always liked that about him.

[cobalt1999]

2. I'm going to this.

That's my county chairwoman. We've all promised to be on our best behavior, but he will still be getting some frank feedback from all of us. I have a few questions for him myself.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Cha]

4. Please do..

I'm sure it will interesting and hopefully productive.

[cobalt1999]

28. Never made it, work intervened.

I'll get the blow by blow tonight from some friends that did attend though.

[sarcasmo]

14. What part of Okaloosa County are you in?

My wife and I stay on Okaloosa Island for two weeks every spring.

[cobalt1999]

29. Fort Walton Beach.

Spring and Fall are the best times to get there. Let me know the next time you come down...I'll give you the locals list of restaurants and places to go. :hi:

[sarcasmo]

35. We have been going down for six years now, we pretty much have the good places figured out, LOL.

Love the area.

[Cha]

3. Dean has the gift of courage, intelligence,

and diplomacy..I have no doubt that he will do his utmost to work this out in the best way possible. What makes it extra hard is when you have to deal with ego-centric driven people who are given to making up stuff if the truth doesn't sound so good for your case.

[ooglymoogly]

34. Just imagine where we would be if cooperate noise had not

systematically and with malice of forethought, destroyed his candidacy to protect their "interests"...for which I have unforgiving and snowballing anger. 1 million innocent souls and oceans of blood later.

[ooglymoogly]

37. correction; corporate

[Dr.Phool]

5. If I had more notice, I'd attend.

Give him some moral support.

[madfloridian]

6. The St. Lucie County chairwoman was pretty rude as well.

Not just North Florida. Her name is Celeste Bush, and she was one of many DEC chairs who sent emails trying to hurt the fundraising of the DNC. That is Tim Mahoney's area.

St. Lucie County and others say not to donate to DNC or candidates

Original Message-----
Subject: Money Talks

Following is what I sent out to my local blast with a forward of the FDP newsletter...It might be something you may want to encourage...

Fellow Democrats,

Concerning some of the comments I have been getting about the Democratic candidates signing the 4 state Pledge (NO campaigning in Florida before Jan 29th), I am suggesting that if your are, or were, planning on sending a check to your presidential candidate of choice, send a check to the FDP instead!

Several substantial fundraisers who have historically given to the DNC are giving to the FDP instead. That's a start. In addition, several Democrats who had endorsed candidates are withdrawing their endorsements. Those endorsements usually come with contributions, which are being withheld also.

...."Democratic Executive Committee of St. Lucie County
412 Farmers Market Road
Ft. Pierce, Fl 34982
772-464-0500 W
772-464-0563 F
772-461-3448 H
772-577-0276 Cell
http://stluciedemocrats.com

Dean is gracious over all of this, but they are acting like a**holes.

[madfloridian]

7. Interesting comment from the owner of Harbor Docks....

From the op link:

Morgan said the event is scheduled as a fund raiser, but he doesn’t plan to charge outrageous attendance fees.

“We’re trying to raise money, but we’re not requiring anyone to bring money,” he said. “This is for folks who can’t afford $2,300.”

Former President Bill Clinton was in Destin in August raising money for his wife, Hillary Clinton. The fund raiser cost $2,300 to attend.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/9409

Oh, and a reminder that Bill Nelson files the suit against Dean and the DNC tomorrow:

Battle Lines Drawn Over Florida Primary
By Abby Goodnough

MIAMI – In a federal lawsuit to be filed tomorrow, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida will accuse the Democratic National Committee of violating the constitutional rights of 4 million state voters by refusing to seat its Democratic delegates at the party’s presidential convention.
The suit also accuses the committee of violating a section of the Voting Rights Act that protects voters from racial discrimination. Mr. Nelson will file the suit with Representative Alcee L. Hastings, according to a draft obtained by The Times.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/battle-lines-drawn-over-florida-primary/

[LWolf]

8. K & R. n/t

[madfloridian]

9. Any Floridians know a Democratic pollster named Jim Kitchens?

I am continuing to be more than alarmed by the rhetoric coming from Florida Democrats and strategists and pollsters.

It is getting really nasty. Since Florida voted with the GOP 115 to 1, they don't have any right to crucify the party chairman like this.

I am seeing one of the worst scenarios in Florida now....idiocy combined with pure hatred and anger.

Pollster Kitchens compares Dean with Katherine Harris

Howard Dean is buddies with Katherine Harris?
Talking to the Florida Chamber's political candidate & training institute in Orlando Tuesday Democratic pollster Jim Kitchens suggested that Howard Dean is the new Katherine Harris of the 2008 election cycle: "He's making sure Democratic votes won't count." Kitchens glumly noted that people are so furious over the Democrats' handling of the presidential primary mess that the controversy may be enough to tilt the state to the Republicans in a close race.

Here is Kitchen's website...if you follow his blog it is even uglier than that.

http://www.jimkitchens.com/home.htm

I feel like I don't even belong here anymore. A total lack of class and intellegence is being shown here.

[tnlefty]

15. Jeeeze, he's actually encouraging people to not vote in the

presidential election. :wow:

There are a LOT of Floridians moving into my area and you'd be more than welcome. :hi:

[madfloridian]

21. The idiot calls Howard Dean the new Katherine Harris...

and calls himself a Democratic strategist. Wonder who his clients are?

[tnlefty]

23. I noticed the insult, but I was amazed that one can start such

a ruckus of 'we want our votes to count', etc. and then encourage people not to vote in the presidential election. That's a sure fire way to not have votes counted nor to have a say in the election of the next president. :crazy:

Chairman Dean is supposed to be on the first hour of Ed's show and I'll be listening to hear if any of this is mentioned.

[tsuki]

31. Something is fishy about this whole controversy. I don't understand

Democrats fighting the DNC rules unless they are trying to destroy the DNC.

[dansolo]

39. No, they are trying to destyroy Howard Dean

This is entirely a campaign to oust Howard Dean as chair so the 2008 campaigns can be run without his influence. The so-called battleground states have a significant financial interest in eliminating Dean's 50-state strategy.

[illinoisprogressive]

10. Howard Dean saved the democratic party after McAculiff, a dlc pawn, almost destroyed it.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Go get 'em, Howard.

[provis99]

12. I don't get it

Why are these donutholes running things in Florida even in the Democratic Party? They seem to despise Democrats! Are they stealth Republicans? What can the Florida DUers tell me?

[Divine Discontent]

13. I can tell you this, which may help a little but madfl will explain further I bet

just look at our senior senator, Bill Nelson, and his caving in on every issue it seems. He's a Dem, but acts like a moderate Repub, frankly. He really just needs to not fear the right wing nuts and do what is right by Floridians, who are progressive, and the slight majority now w/o question, thanks to the despicable war, anti child healthcare, botched responses to national emergencies, and other issues!

So, in effect, we're pretty watered down in this state. We have so many large cities and perhaps no one really listens to the other areas. I dunno. But it bugs me, and yes, I feel like some of these people are EXTREME conservative Dems or stealth repubs in disguise.

[Dr.Phool]

30. These clowns used to be called Dixie-crats.

Conservative, corrupt and incompetent.

[madfloridian]

16. Nelson got his suit filed. MSNBC...says not much of chance.

NYT says not much of a chance since courts have given leeway to national parties about delegates.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/04/396424.aspx

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/us/politics/04florida.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin

And of course the Supreme Court ruling for the DNC in 1981.

But Nelson is getting his attention.

:shrug:

[Celebration]

17. I like Dean, but

Let's see, I guess I would be ticked off if I lived in Florida and I had no say in the primary process. And Florida does have a lot of electoral votes. This may not be the best move by Dean (the ban, I mean). Yes I applaud him for going there.

[madfloridian]

18. It was not Dean's move. The rules committee abided by rules voted for..

by Florida. It has nothing really to do with Dean, except being a power play by Florida.

I don't think he has the power to overturn rules made by the committee and voted on by the 447 plus members.

It is called disinformation, and Florida has done a brilliant job of it.

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

[Celebration]

25. Thanks for the explanation

Still, I would be ticked off if my primary vote didn't count in Florida. And, if it did for the Republicans, I can see this being a big issue in the general election. I just wouldn't want to cut off my nose to spite my face, you know?--whether it is the rules committee or whatever.

[madfloridian]

26. Whatever...

.

[dansolo]

40. Then blame the FL Dems who didn't fight the primary date change

Your ire should be directed at your state Democratic Party, who knew this would happen. If they were really concerned about your vote, then they would have at least tried to block the change. They didn't even try (only on Dem voted against it)

[tsuki]

32. Do I smell underhanded manipulation by power brokers in this?

[Adelante]

19. South Carolina may be pushing forward now

I read last night, MF.

:kick:

[madfloridian]

20. Yep, Florida took SC's date. Michigan moved ahead of NH.

Then they dared the DNC to do something.

It's really kind of pathetic.

[Adelante]

22. There is no end to it

I wish Chairman Dean the best of luck visiting Florida.

[lojasmo]

24. Stick it to 'em Howard.

Gawd...you'd think a democratic apparatus would be able to play by the friggin' rules.

[Kurovski]

27. K&R. (nt)

[ooglymoogly]

33. Hope he takes a gatling gun with him

to protect his flank from these people who think they are dealing with a full deck.

[madfloridian]

36. Hastings' statement, and strong statement by DNC spokesperson

http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/k0136_BC_PrimaryScramble_3rdLd_Writethru_10_04_0695

"For the DNC to say to the fourth-largest contingency of Democrats in the nation that their votes will not matter in next year's presidential primary is not only shocking and ironic, but we believe is illegal," Hastings said.

The national party's rules committee took away Florida's 210 delegates after the state party chose to go along with a Jan. 29 primary. The date was set by Florida's Republican-led Legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Democratic Party rules say states cannot hold their 2008 primary contests before Feb. 5, except for Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

The DNC issued a statement saying the Supreme Court has ruled that political parties -- and not states -- have the right to decide how their candidates for president are selected.

"The state of Florida moved the date of their primary knowing full well what the consequences from the national parties would be. The DNC has the absolute legal right to treat the state-run primary as a mere beauty contest," the statement said."

Yes, they knew the consequences and did it anyway. Thurman let Nelson and Geller and Gelber take over the party machinery and begin the attack on Governor Dean.

I will not forget the anger it has caused here.

[madfloridian]

38. The suit filed by the Tampa activist was dismissed by the court.

So now we only have the suit by Hastings and Nelson and maybe the one by Geller who says he will sue IA, NH, NV, and SC.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/BREAKINGNEWS/71005102/1086

"TAMPA — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Friday filed by a Tampa Democratic activist against the national and state Democratic parties 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 in August to take away Florida’s 210 votes in the convention in Denver next summer.

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