Democrats boycott Florida race

[flvegan]

From early to irrelevant? Clinton and Obama pledge not to campaign in the jump-the-gun primary.

By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published September 2, 2007

All of the major Democratic candidates for president abruptly agreed Saturday to boycott Florida's primary because it is scheduled on Jan. 29, too early according to national party rules.

Top-tier candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama on Saturday joined a boycott that began Friday among the lesser-known candidates, who probably couldn't have afforded to campaign in the Sunshine State anyway.

Now, Clinton, Obama, John Edwards and the others will not make campaign appearances in Florida, or any other state that breaks Democratic National Committee rules by scheduling a primary before Feb. 5. Michigan is considering such a move.

The candidates will continue to raise money in Florida, and they will attend next week's Univision debate in Miami. But the bottom line is Florida stands to be irrelevant in the presidential primary.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/02/State/Democrats_boycott_Flo.shtml

[Richard Steele]

1. Florida brought this on itself. Rules is rules, and they broke them. nm

[flvegan]

2. Florida republicans brought this upon us. Thanks.

It'll be easier to blame Florida again this round.

At least HRC and Obama are consistent:

"Spokesmen for two Democratic presidential candidates, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, indicated they would not hold back from campaigning in Florida.

“The D.N.C. and the Florida state party will arbitrate this and we will compete on the final field vigorously,” Bill Burton, a spokesman for Mr. Obama, said in an e-mail message, referring to the Democratic National Committee."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/04/us/politics/04florida.html?ex=1335931200&en=ff943bdf78e03d10&ei=5088

Oh, wait...no, that's not consistent.

[Richard Steele]

3. Yes, that's a valid distinction.

I still don't quite grasp just what benefit the Repubs
feel this move gives them. What exactly is the point
of taking Florida out of the Dem primary anyway?

[Selatius]

4. It helps to ensure only candidates with the biggest war chests survive (Hillary or Obama)

Smaller states like Iowa and New Hampshire allow less well financed candidates a better chance at competing against the bigger money. Jimmy Carter was such an example. He likely couldn't have won if he had to compete in Florida instead of Iowa.

[flvegan]

5. Well, if I weren't a die hard liberal, I'd be feeling pretty alienated from a whole party

We have a paper trail now, gotta do something else to keep the dems out of office.