FLA Democrats say NO to re-vote? Seems like they did!

[Colobo]

For a moment, it looked like party leaders were marching toward a Florida revote. But Obama's campaign signaled today that the mechanics would be an obstacle, and Florida's congressional delegation just took a hard line against a re-vote in a joint statement:

Washington, DC – The Members of Florida’s Democratic Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives issued the following statement regarding the seating of Florida’s delegates at the DNC National Convention this August.

“We are committed to working with the DNC, the Florida State Democratic party, our Democratic leaders in Florida, and our two candidates to reach an expedited solution that ensures our 210 delegates are seated.

“Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/

[LisaL]

1. Sounds like they want the results accepted as is.

[Johnny__Motown]

2. That will never happen

[Colobo]

3. Only God knows what they want.

[FARAFIELD]

6. Its Florida

Where a quarter is a nickel counted five times

[LisaL]

8. They are talking about ensuring that delegates are seated.

How exactly is that going to happen unless the results are accepted as is?

[Jillian]

4. Obama supporters must be thrilled.

[Colobo]

7. I'm all for a 50/50 split.

[LisaL]

9. And I am for 100 -0 % split.

[Jillian]

27. And that would be fair because . . . ???

[rucky]

5. Sorry, Florida voters. n/t

[pbca]

10. 50/50 or they can stay home for the convention n/t

[Birthmark]

11. Good. There's no such thing as a re-vote.

That is simply an attempt to obscure the fact that it would in fact be a new primary.

There is no valid reason for a new primary. None.

[Joe the Revelator]

15. No valid reason for a new primary?

What kind of fantasy world do you live in?

[Birthmark]

20. You should ask yourself that.

What part of "record turnout in FL Democratic Primary" is a mystery to you? Perhaps I can explain why a 233% increase in voter participation is a GOOD thing...unless you happen to be Howard Dean's ego...or an Obama partisan who will stop at nothing, including disenfranchising 1.75 million Florida Democrats. If you are either of those, then you are beyond redemption apparently.

[Joe the Revelator]

21. LOL

You are joking, right? There has been record turnout everywhere, do you think that means that the candidates shouldn't campaign in these states?

[Birthmark]

23. You're kidding, right.

It is the basic right to have our voice heard. If the Democratic Party doesn't want to hear from us in August, then a good many of us will make sure you don't hear from us in November. The People of Florida did absolutely nothing wrong and voted in good faith. If the DNC persists in punishing non-offenders, then we'll ALL pay the price with a McCain Presidency.

[Pirate Smile]

24. Wasn't there a big property tax issue on the ballot which increased primary turnout?

Didn't more Republicans vote in the Primary then Democrats which was contrary to the trend throughout the rest of the country?

I don't think the vote was quite what it would have been if there had been a normal campaign.

One thing is for sure, there should be no damn superdelegates from Florida or Michigan. The party people in the states were a big part of what caused the problem.

[Birthmark]

25. Your answers:

"Wasn't there a big property tax issue on the ballot which increased primary turnout? "

Yes, there was a property tax issue on the ballot. What effect it had on turnout is pure guesswork. But in a sense it doesn't matter why they came out. They voted in the Democratic Primary in record numbers.

"Didn't more Republicans vote in the Primary then Democrats which was contrary to the trend throughout the rest of the country?"

Yup, but we have a CLOSED primary. The increase in DEM turnout was higher than the increase in NY Democratic turnout, so your comparison is rather useless.

"I don't think the vote was quite what it would have been if there had been a normal campaign."

So what? Unless you can post some relevant support for your assertion, it's simply a baseless assertion that is unsupported by the numbers.

"One thing is for sure, there should be no damn superdelegates from Florida or Michigan."

I absolutely agree with that statement. It is the actions of those folks that precipitated the DNC's overreaction.

[LSK]

30. Florida voters did not get a chance to hear the candidates campaign in Florida

Is that not enough of a reason???

[Obamanaut]

31. Fla has cable, satellite network, NPR, electricity, and even

indoor plumbing. What might we have missed by not having a couple of rallies? This campaign has been going on for months, I think we've heard quite a bit.

[LSK]

32. and as of January????

[Obamanaut]

34. Yes, Jan., Feb., and even now. nt

[LSK]

37. the Florida primary was held in late January

So any campaigning, media, debates, etc since then would be irrelevant to this discussion.

[Birthmark]

35. Oh, we've had those things for years!

Heck, I myself have been on this board for almost six years. It's true!

I was so glad to get rid of that tin-can and string and put in a real phone!

[Birthmark]

33. No, it is not.

It's not even close to reason enough to throw out 1.75 million votes. Besides, it's not like the candidates weren't on the news...or in the papers...or on the internet...or C-SPAN. People knew who they were voting for, and why.

[LSK]

38. and the people who didnt bother to show up

Because they didn't think the primary counted or they had the date wrong?

[Birthmark]

39. I have yet to see any evidence that such people exist

If you have any, please share.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

12. Hey Florida:

NO SOUP FOR YOU. COME BACK, FOUR YEARS!!

[loveangelc]

13. it's looking more and more like it will be a 50/50 split for both imo unless MI revotes.

Obama was on a show today and said they should be seated but in a way that doesn't benefit one candidate or the other. Since he will be over the credentials committee I'm thinking that is what they are going to suggest and what may happen.

[nickinSTL]

14. To be fair, the FL Dem leaders oppose the re-vote

I'd bet that if you asked FL Dem VOTERS, the answer would be different. I know my mom is so angry about all this, there's a good chance she'll vote Green in November. This is what all this stupidity of punishing and disenfranchising the voters in 2 major states because the leaders broke the rules is doing. And I hardly think my mom will be alone in being disenchanted with the Democratic Party.

They need to let the voters vote and seat their delegates, or we can forget winning either FL or MI in November. Good luck beating McCain without them.

[Colobo]

17. I live in FL, and right now, I just want the primary to be over.

I don't really care what happens with FL at this point. Just do something to solve this.

[madfloridian]

18. Dean offered to let them have the revote.

He wanted to be fair. The Florida leaders should take the blame for what they did.

You sound like Bill Nelson...he said Floridians would not vote either.

Tell your mother to read this..ask her to remember who was to blame.

From instigator to victim. It was a Dem who introduced the early primary bill in Florida.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1829

How it began last August....how Florida Democrats began their propaganda war
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1819

Jeremy Ring (D-FL) said "relevance is more important than "partying" in Denver.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1836

Think I exaggerate about Florida's attitude? Here's a county chairperson's rant against Dean.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1827

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

Carl Levin and Terry McAuliffe made a deal about primaries in 2004.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1483

Email from Florida DEC chairs saying not to give to the DNC or candidates.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1481

Pelosi says it is not Florida's fault at all. So if the speaker says it I must be wrong.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1567

"Florida Democrats are all for it"...March 2006. All for the early primary that far ahead.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1564

Details on how Florida worked with the GOP to set the early primary date.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1617

Nobody sued Terry McAuliffe when he said Michigan's delegates would not get near Boston.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1638

Nelson and Levin of Michigan file the bill today. It's getting deeper
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1741

My postings about the heartbreak of the Florida primary fiasco.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1607

Florida Dems at convention have button that says "Screw Dean"...very classy.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1608

Senate leader ponders suing 'rogue states' over primary
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1527

[Barack_America]

16. Well, alrighty then. No more room for them to complain. n/t

[Carrieyazel]

19. Why don't they just restore HALF the delegates in Florida, and forget about a revote.

I can't see a revote happening. It still is punishment and it doesn't disenfranchise the entire state to restore half, and doesn't give Hillary all of the delegates she wants.

Michigan however, is a much harder case since that wasn't a real election.

[Birthmark]

26. That is acceptable.

I don't like it, but it's better than nothing.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

22. Fine with me.

[milkyway]

28. What would be o.k. with me: Count the past vote and give each delegate half a vote.

Clinton won by 17% and would have netted about 40 delegates. That means she would net about 20 delegates.

With no campaigning, the vote was highly favorable to the more known candidate. In a new vote Obama would lower the margin, but maybe not by a lot. Florida is probably Clinton's most favorable state after Arkansas and NY--lots of Hispanics, elderly, and Jews (plus probably some racists, whose votes she's been going after).

For Obama, its unlikely he would do much better than -20 del.

For Clinton, she probably would not be happy with it at all, but it might be the best she could get. It's better than a caucus, and better than not getting anything, and it might not be much less than she would get in a new vote.

For the DNC, they have maintained the integrity of punishing Florida. (To not punish Florida would turn 2012 into total chaos, with states leapfrogging each other to become that year's Iowa. The first primary would probably be held in July 2011.)

For those that voted, their vote counts for something.

For everyone, nobody has to pay for it.

For those that would have voted but didn't because they were told it wouldn't count--these are the people with the strongest complaint. But it's going to be hard to please everyone.

[TeamJordan23]

29. They broke the rules. Live with it. nm

[anigbrowl]

36. Jeepers - enough already

Just take away MI and FL's super delegates (who should have been fighting against this to begin with), seat them as voted, give the Michigan undecideds to Obama (they already had their chance to pick Clinton) and forget about it already. Clinton gains ~60 delegates, feels really happy, but Obama is still well in front.

[krawhitham]

40. Just end it

She got 50% of the vote in FL, give here 50% of the delegates and Obama the other 50%

She got 55% of the vote in MI, give here 55% of the delegates and Obama the other 45%

She would get 162 delegates and Obama would get 151 delegates

Add FL's but NOT MI's popular vote to each candidates totals and go on with life

[cooolandrew]

41. Split the delegates 50/50 it's cheap and stops the onsense.