One of the things I agree with Chris Bowers (at least I think it was him) on is that if the Democratic nominee loses in November, the entire leadership of the party should step down because in addition to being a failure by the candidate, it would be a failure by the party.  This is a prime example of that.

However, the poll contains hints that suggest the controversy over Florida's convention delegates may be hurting Obama. Most notably, just 55% of Sunshine State Democrats say they would vote for Obama over McCain. Thirty-one percent (31%) say they would vote for McCain. These results are especially striking given that Obama leads McCain among unaffiliated voters in the state.

Florida was stripped of its seats at the Democratic National Convention as a penalty for holding its Primary before February 5. The candidates did not campaign in the state and Hillary Clinton handily won the popular vote. Now, Clinton is calling for the Florida delegates to be seated while Obama disagrees.

The survey also shows that McCain leads Obama by twenty-six points among women. Women are Hillary Clinton's strongest demographic. McCain leads Obama by twenty-five points among Senior Citizens, another demographic group that is generally supportive of Clinton.

In effect, the party has self-selected into defeat, "Dr." Dean, Donna Brazile, Bob Shrum, et al, being the poster children for the syndrome.

I am so ticked off at them I , I'm seeing "red".  

What a bunch of nitwits for voting not to seat Florida and Michigan delegates - two states we need in the general election.

Also, they know that there is going to be a bloodbath at the convention.  

I also predict that McCain will win in a landslide if it's Obama.  Those Florida numbers are just the beginning.  The South, and the midwest will be solidly McCain - Florida included.
And that's before the party is split at the convention.

The Florida legislature voted via House Bill 537 to move forward the date of their state's primary to January 29th, causing a chain reaction which moved many other states' primaries and caucuses to much earlier dates. The vote passed with bipartisan support 118 to 0 in the House, 37 to 2 in the Senate

Clinton might be able to win Florida.

Guh.

To launch a General Election candidacy with question marks is not a good idea.

I know you're more concerned about emotions in Florida, and I believe that is clearly an issue that must be contended with, but I'm adding in a different component.

In every election, there is always the question "Did we nominate/elect the right person?" and typically it's simply just the result of sour grapes and eventually people get over it.  

They move on.

When you add a logical foundation, REASONABLE DOUBT, to the sour grapes you get bad things, democratically speaking.  It lingers.  People don't get over it.

Because, let's take this a step further: If Obama agrees to seat the delegates, then he has a steep uphill battle.  If Clinton takes half of the delegates, then she's not ahead as much.  Same with caucus vs. primary--good for Obama/bad for Clinton.

Dean cannot really force them to do anything at this point because each candidate has very, very powerful backers and are running within a razor's edge.  BTD, I know you came up with a seemingly fair resolution, but it does not take into account two ultra-competitive candidates who have spent a ton of money and time who want to WIN.  Fairness is not an issue for them.

You are a lawyer, so I am sure you've had many cases where there is the defendant's solution, the plaintiff's solution, and the logical solution.  Very seldom is there a confluence between all three.  (Good thing, or you would be out of a job.)

If they're only seated after it's clear they wouldn't make a difference, it might feel the same as if they were never counted. And they had all of their clout removed. Look how the candidates fawned over Washington, the Potomac Primaries, Wisconsin, etc., all of whom are much smaller than Florida.

In these two states and Florida, a swing state that already conducted a primary, Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican front-runner, is running neck and neck with either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama. Results are:  
Florida: McCain 44 percent - Clinton 42 percent; McCain 41 percent - Obama 39 percent;

I should think that McCain leading both candidates in Florida rather undercuts that argument, since there would be no victory either way.

You cited a Rasmussen poll in Florida, I cited Rasmussen polls in other states that were also revealing and relevant to the topic of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.