Letters to the Editor
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And
And, I could be wrong, but its my recollection that it was the republican lead Florida legislature that voted to move up the primaries.
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Florida wants it all their way..or no way.
Statement on Democratic Nominating Process
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen L. Thurman issued the following statement today on the state of the Democratic nominating process as it relates to Florida:
"The Democratic primary gets more exciting by the day. The incredible enthusiasm for these two phenomenal candidates for President continues to prove that America wants a new direction - not a third Bush term with McCain.
"We thank Governors Crist and Granholm for supporting the effort to have the votes of more than five million Democrats and Republicans from Florida and Michigan recognized. In Florida, more than 1.75 million Democrats voted, and they deserve to be heard.
"Obviously, these primaries are the talk of the political world, and some are even suggesting that Florida hold a run-off election between the top two Democratic primary vote-getters, which happen to be Senators Clinton and Obama. However, this is not a time to panic or jump to any conclusions simply because the Republicans have a nominee.
"It is important to remember that the Democratic nominating process does not end until June 10. The Florida Democratic Party continues to work with our leadership, Sen. Clinton, Sen. Obama and the Democratic National Committee to ensure this state is fully represented at the National Convention.
"We have discussed many things, ranging from the plans for the general election to a potential alternative primary to the process for appealing to the credentials committee of the National Convention to seat our delegates as currently allocated.
"It is important also that we are clear about one issue. At this time, no suggested alternative process has been able to meet three specific and necessary requirements: the full participation from both candidates, a guaranteed commitment of the millions of dollars it will cost to conduct the event and a detailed election plan that would enfranchise all Florida Democrats, including our military service members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
"The Florida Democratic Party cannot consider any alternative that does not meet these requirements. Indeed, it is very possible that no satisfactory alternative plan will emerge, in which case Florida Democrats will remain committed to seating the delegates allocated by the January 29th primary.
"We continue to move ahead with preparations for an unprecedented coordinated general election campaign. The people of Florida, like most Americans, are eager for change - not more of the same from McCain - and in November, we will make the Democratic nominee the next President of the United States of America."
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How would this be democratic, exactly?
If there isn't a revote in both states -- between now and Pennsylvania would have been nice -- it's a backroom deal for Hillary Clinton, pure and simple. Even Newt Gingrich has urged a revote.
If Hillary Clinton claws her way back to contention through backroom deals and by smearing Obama with accusations that could more easily be applied to her (indicted supporters, waffling on NAFTA, shorter on experience in 1992), she will have lost the respect of half the party and most younger voters.
By the way, has anyone noticed that Clintons have no coat-tails for the rest of the party? They didn't in the 90s and they don't now. Please name some candidates whose success will be boosted by a Clinton nomination. Out west, Clinton atop the ticket will doom Christine Gregoire's chances for a second term as Washington's governor, and dim the likelihood of Democratic Senate pick-ups in Alaska, Oregon, and Colorado. And watch Clinton not campaign out west, except to fundraise in California and Seattle, because apparently it's all about the Rust Belt.
Nice move, Ms. Clinton. It's not about the nation -- it's about you!
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They *can't* seat the MI delegates
It wasn't even close to a fair race. Are you kidding me? It was a sham. Who doesn't believe this? My mother lives in Michigan and is a Democrat. She votes in every election and she sat this one out because she knew it wouldn't count and her candidate (Edwards) was not on the ballot, nor could he be written in. Not to mention all Michigan voters knew their state party had screwed this up for them--and they are very, very angry. But most of them never expected any delegates seated from the beginning. It was against their will, but the party did it anyway.
Florida had something like a primary, but not a fair one, as no one thought it would count and many didn't vote for the same reasons my mom didn't. What kind of jerry-rigging is going on here? Giving them a do-over is one thing, but going with results where many voters stayed home because they "knew" their votes wouldn't count or their candidate had *rightly* had their names taken off the ballot (at the behest of the party) is criminal.
Hell, even a do-over is totally questionable. I really want my mom's vote (and everyone's) to count, but if the MI and FL Democratic organizations are going to pull this crap, they should be penalized. If you take the penalty away, who else is going to do something stupid and get away with it? What a mess! I know MI is pissed at their Democratic organization. I don't think they're listening to their governor at all on this. I know my mother isn't. She thinks he's a jacka$$ whose trying to rig the delegate count.
Hey, maybe Illinois can go before New Hampshire next time. Yeah, why not? We could use the attention--and we have tons more delegates. And our delegates will be seated even if we're "told" they're not going to be. *wink* Everyone wins!
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Hey, well we're rewarding people who violate rules, let's allow illegal immigrants and felons to vote!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Everybody wins!
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I spent all my rent money on pez dispensers that my landlord won't recognize as legal tender!
Sure, it was there in the lease that they'll only allow cash or check for rent, but hey, I'm a Florida Democrat! Waaaaaaaaaaaah! Let me pay with pez dispensers or I'll protest!
Help! Help! I'm being oppressed!
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The State of Florida should be Designated NOW!
The people of Florida went out to vote in droves and every candidate was on the Florida Ballot.
The only candidate who was able to get his campaign across to voters in Florida was Barack Obama. NONE of the other candidates campaigned either physically or by television, except for Obama (OBAMA HAD NATIONAL AND CABLE CAMPAIGN ADS DISPLAY IN FLORIDA.)
The people in Florida voted and it is not as if only 50,000 people showed up, there was over 1.6 million democrats that voted.
To be realistic this was the most fair vote in all of the United States. The people of Florida knew who the candidates were, since this vote took place on January 29th, so there should be no whinning from candidates that people didn't know who they were (Obama).
There should be no excuse to seat these delegates of Florida.
As far as Michigan, this vote would have do be done over, since Obama took his name off of the ballot. This vote will have to be done as a primary. There cannot be any changes to the presentation of the voting. A ballot vote will remain as a ballot vote.
NO MORE OF THESE STUPID CAUCUSES!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op2ze-b7qsE