Proposed Florida Re-Vote Plan Released

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:19:00 AM EST
Tags: Florida 08 (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Here it is (pdf.)

Thoughts? Mine are we don't need a revote. The DNC needs to lift its penalty against Florida, award the delegates and seat them in accordance with the Jan. 29 vote.

Floridians voted in record numbers, the parties were all on the ballot, everyone got to see and hear both candidates in televised debates and in the news. The Republican-dominated legislature forced the early date.

The DNC needs to admit it was wrong in assessing the penalty and lift it. If they don't, I'm concerned that Floridians will blame the Democratic party and sit out the November election.

Let's not hand the election to McCain. Let's skip the revote plan and award and seat the delegates according to the Jan. 29 record breaking primary vote.

Update: How Florida voted on Jan 29 is below the fold. Obama did dismally. It's obvious why he doesn't favor a recount.

Obama won only the northern counties closest to Georgia and the deep south. He won no county below the top of the state.

In addition to the counties Hillary won, here are some statistics, according to her campaign:

Hillary will end up with more votes than John McCain.

She won women, men, and just about every age category. She won the youth vote.

She won 6 in 10 Latinos and nearly 3 in 10 African American voters.

More than 1.5 million Democrats voted today, more than twice the number of voters in the 2004 primary.

Among those who decided on Election Day, a plurality of those chose Hillary.

Update: Via Corrente and Mary Beth, Tampa Tribune:

In the poll of 600 Democratic primary voters, with a 4-point error margin, 59 percent said they favored a revote paid for by the party, while 35 percent said the current delegation should go to the convention and seek to be seated.
Asked whether the situation would affect their votes if it weren't resolved, 63 percent said no.
But 14 percent [of Democrats polled] said they would consider voting Republican, 11 percent said they might not vote or might skip the presidential race, and 12 percent said they weren't sure. (my emphasis)

Put another way, the poll found:

Voters said that if the controversy is not resolved and Florida Democratic voters do not have a voice in choosing the Democratic nominee, only 63 percent will still vote with Democrats.

< Client # 6 and Kristen Revealed | New Delegate Awards: Obama Gets No Net Gain After Miss. >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Proposed Florida Re-Vote Plan Released | 159 comments (159 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Can't Trust Credentials Commitee (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Coral Gables on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:17:02 AM EST

One of those links I wished I had saved earlier today... a poll showing over 60% of Floridians would not vote for the Dem candidate if Florida wasn't represented at the convention.

And congrats Jeralyn. I didn't expect this to appear before tomorrow. I can now go to sleep and wake up late to see everyone's opinion as Florida moves forward.

thanks for sending it to me! (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:19:40 AM EST

I didn't know it was released either.

[ Parent ]

:D (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by Step Beyond on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:29:55 AM EST

Consider me your link fairy.

[ Parent ]

: Just added that to the post too (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:40:14 AM EST

thanks link fairy.

[ Parent ]

That pdf actually said (none / 0) (#10)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:23:05 AM EST

something like 67% were still gonna vote Democratic, which was too low.

[ Parent ]

A minor point (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Steve M on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:18:07 AM EST

addressed in this memo is that according to the DNC, a 50/50 split of delegates is not an allowable solution under the rules. So hopefully we've heard the last of that ridiculous idea in both MI and FL.

The Obama rules take precedence, (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by andgarden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:19:02 AM EST

naturally.

[ Parent ]

As far as I know... (4.00 / 1) (#35)
by Oje on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:41:29 AM EST

He might consider re-registering for the Communist Party. I think their party leaders typically decided how delegates were divided, then the party certified the vote to reflect their decisions. The whole election thing was optional too, so that would save the party $10MM. He could campaign as a "new" kind of communist who favored a lean, mean party machine.

[ Parent ]

Heh (none / 0) (#70)
by Robot Porter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:18:58 AM EST

[ Parent ]

: very good, oje. he could also (none / 0) (#102)
by sancho on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:31:37 AM EST

proclaim that the unity plan.

[ Parent ]

HRC can join him! (none / 0) (#124)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:08:12 AM EST

In the Soviet Union they also ran sham elections and pretended that the counted for something.

[ Parent ]

gee steve (none / 0) (#110)
by TeresaInPa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:07:30 AM EST

who do you think came up with that idea? could it be Axelrod and Brazille?

obama's position is "no revote" and "no counting this vote"... just screw florida because they didn't vote for me.

[ Parent ]

I think, J., that's what we call a lost cause (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by andgarden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:20:03 AM EST

Let them compete for Florida. It should help Obama if he ends up becoming the nominee.

: another inconvenient fact (none / 0) (#103)
by Josey on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:34:44 AM EST

>>>>Among those who decided on Election Day, a plurality of those chose Hillary.
Obama had just won SC 3 days earlier - giving him mega media coverage.

[ Parent ]

Polling results in FL on effects of controversy (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by lambert on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:24:18 AM EST

Mary Beth quotes the Tampa Bay Tribune:

Another finding, which pollster Jim Kitchens called "stunning," was that a quarter of the respondents - all Democrats who voted in the Jan. 29 primary - said they were upset enough over the issue to consider not voting or voting Republican in November's presidential race.

Interesting...

That means a new primary is essential (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by andgarden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:25:21 AM EST

or that the sanction be lifted (none / 0) (#34)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:41:03 AM EST

and the Jan. 29 vote count.

[ Parent ]

Seems very much a lost cause (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by andgarden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:44:39 AM EST

: not a lost cause (5.00 / 1) (#111)
by TeresaInPa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:11:27 AM EST

Dean just needs to find the guts to stand up to Obama and his bullies. The people of Florida should not have to go to the polls again.
The only revote that is fair is a write in for those who did not vote already.

[ Parent ]

Agree. (5.00 / 1) (#101)
by 0 politico on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:16:11 AM EST

Either way, this needs to be resolved in a manner that is equitible to the FL voters, regardless on one campaign's efforts to resolve this in a non-equitible way.

[ Parent ]

: yes the voters (5.00 / 1) (#113)
by TeresaInPa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:14:42 AM EST

who already spoke should not be forced to go to the polls again. Have a write in that includes only those people who did not vote. Mail THEM all ballots.

[ Parent ]

Cuban Americans Still Refuse To Vote Dem (none / 0) (#116)
by MO Blue on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:20:41 AM EST

due to the Bay of Pigs that happened 47 years ago. This could have a long term effect on the Dems winning in FL if the anger reflected in that poll is carried forward to future elections.

Also, many of those people probably have family or friends in other states who are hearing about how they are being disenfranchised. Not good PR for Dems. Nobody likes to see Grandma or Grandpa or Mom or Dad not having their vote counted.

[ Parent ]

I think that Obama (5.00 / 3) (#12)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:24:30 AM EST

has already lost Florida

If Obama, like Clinton, had embraced that the Florida VOTERS count - then he would have been ahead of the game.

Now Obama is playing politics - realy Old-bad politics -- the kind of politics he supposedly is against - or was against.

So at this time I really do not think it matters for Obama - he has lost Florida no matter what he does now

you don't get it... (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by white n az on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:29:35 AM EST

he's a transcendent politician...he's way beyond petty partisan politics...yeah right.

I guess the image of Obama standing up for the citizens of FL or MI is just kind of lost on them...and others who figure out the implications of his position.

[ Parent ]

blaming the current fiasco in florida on obama (none / 0) (#42)
by cy street on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:53:45 AM EST

is like blaming the iraq invasion on clinton.

makes no sense.

florida has florida to blame.

i would like to see the delegates seated as well, but you have to seat them legitimately. as it is, they are illegitimate according to the dnc, not obama.

so far as i know, he is ready to go along with whatever the dnc decides. whoever you are for, hopefully you agree with whom is to blame here. the fault lies with the state and the dnc, not either candidate.

[ Parent ]

What you do not see (5.00 / 4) (#51)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:00:42 AM EST

are the Florida VOTERS.

The Florida voters are not the ones that created this mess - the DNC and the Florida Democratic party are the ones at fault.

So do not blame the Florida voters -- because trust me - the will punish whomever that does not let their votes count.

[ Parent ]

sara, i see clearly. (none / 0) (#54)
by cy street on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:09:41 AM EST

the dem voters in florida are getting screwed again. if they would like to hold someone accountable, then i would begin with their gov, their state party and the dnc. this has nothing to do with obama or clinton.

punish those that did this, not those who did nothing.

[ Parent ]

As you said (5.00 / 3) (#58)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:34:25 AM EST

florida has florida to blame

my point - the Florida voters should NOT be blamed - and should not have to suffer the consequences of errors by the DNC and The Florida Democratic party

And they should not suffer because Obama is afraid that he will lose big in Florida - and that is why Obama is stalling.

[ Parent ]

no, you are in favor of punishing the voters (5.00 / 2) (#117)
by TeresaInPa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:21:33 AM EST

over a petty arbitrary rule that doesn't matter anymore.

[ Parent ]

You clearly fail to understand (none / 0) (#125)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:10:16 AM EST

that everything bad is Obama's fault. You need to start with that premise to understand many commenters.

[ Parent ]

: Hey, if the rule fits (none / 0) (#134)
by blogtopus on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:02:11 AM EST

Use the scientific method. Try and disprove that statement. :-P

[ Parent ]

i live in florida (5.00 / 2) (#104)
by sancho on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:35:24 AM EST

we expected our votes to count at some point. obviously, that was naive. it seems to me that taking the position that voters' wishes be respected is always good politics. thanks for your support, cy street.

[ Parent ]

Why would you expect that? (none / 0) (#122)
by ItsGreg on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:28:51 AM EST

If the DNC made it clear that not abiding by the rules the primary votes would result in the votes not counting, why would you expect the votes would count?

I'll agree with everybody that the blame does not lie with the voters themselves, but what's the point of having rules if the rules aren't followed. Yes, the rule is stupid and ought to be changed. But if the rules are voided this time, then why should anybody pay attention to whatever the new rule is?

I think it sucks that Floridian and Michigan voters got hosed, but I dislike setting a precedent that says rules don't need to be enforced. The voters of Florida and Michigan should be calling for the heads of their state Democratic parties, since they're the ones to blame.

[ Parent ]

when a legal (none / 0) (#123)
by sancho on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:02:05 AM EST

election is held many people are optimistic enough to think that their votes will count. even in florida. at the time, pelosi was saying the delegates would be seated. but most of us thought the dnc was bluffing. it was too crazy to believe they'd disenfranchise us. my students were keen to vote, my colleagues were keen to vote, everyone i knew was keen to vote. no one thought it really would not count. no one thought there would be a revote. no one thought the dnc were playing "hardball politics" with our vote and to the extent that we did, we thought it was safer to vote than not vote.

i'm glad your vote counts. why do you want to discount mine? ir it only after the votes are counted that some parties want to throw them out?

what i want to know is to what extent the take mich. and florida off the ledger was always an anti-hillary plan? i didnt think it was then. i a am beginning to think so now.

[ Parent ]

: At the time, (none / 0) (#152)
by auntmo on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:11:08 AM EST

even Obama was saying he would support seating the Florida & Michigan delegates at the convention. And he made that statement publicly, in the illegal press conference he held.
Voters in both states have every right to be disgusted that Obama is not standing by his statement now.

[ Parent ]
: Why assume the worst? (none / 0) (#154)
by ItsGreg on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:21:13 AM EST

Why assume I want to discount your vote? I'm simply responding to your comment that you expected your vote to count in Florida despite all the evidence that it wouldn't.
I know of Democrats in Florida who did NOT vote in the primary because they'd been told their delegates would not be seated. A re-vote would allow them a chance to make their voice heard too. I would hope we would want ALL Florida voters to have that opportunity.

[ Parent ]

Did you ever read a newspaper? (none / 0) (#126)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:11:12 AM EST

Because it was widely reported that the results wouldn't count.

[ Parent ]

What were the newspapers saying about the primary? (5.00 / 2) (#133)
by mm on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:46:24 AM EST

I know this won't change anyone's mind but I haven't seen it mentioned yet how all the major newspapers in FL had endorsed and encouraged people to vote in the primary.

After Florida's shabby treatment by the Democratic presidential candidates, you could not blame voters if they decided to sit out the state's Jan. 29 primary. However, this contest is too important to pass on. Florida Democrats face a historic choice, one they will tell their children and grandchildren about some day. Even though the national party has stripped the state of its delegates as punishment for moving up its primary, our votes cannot be denied. They will help determine whether the 2008 Democratic nominee will be an African-American or a woman. Either would be a first. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/20/Opinion/Obama_for_Democrats.shtml

FLORIDA PRIMARY: Democrats: Obama
Palm Beach Post Endorsement
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Barack Obama has set the tone for the presidential campaign, which is why The Post endorses him in the Florida Democratic primary.
One irony is that Sen. Obama has influenced all his major challengers despite his youth (46) and the fact that he was little-known nationally until his riveting address at the 2004 national convention. Another irony is that Sen. Obama is downplaying the state primary because of a fight between the national and state Democratic parties. But all the candidates are on the Jan. 29 ballot, and we hope that voters ignore the sideshows and turn out.
....

The intramural Democratic fight has robbed Floridians of the chance to see the party's candidates. At best, they will be here for two days before the primary. Chances are, though, that a vote on Jan. 29 will mean something to the winner at some point. Democrats should vote for the man who changed a campaign with two words.

I remember listening to Randi Rhodes that day and she was going on for the entire 3 hours telling her listeners to go vote "with their heart".

[ Parent ]

I'm trying to give you a sense (none / 0) (#129)
by sancho on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:24:48 AM EST

of how many of us felt and feel in florida. if you are not interested in knowing how we felt and feel, then why comment? we did not create this mess. 1.7 million of us turned out to vote. most of us are willing to vote again.

[ Parent ]

: Good, you should vote again (none / 0) (#131)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:32:51 AM EST

That is the only fair thing to do. I am sensitive to the point that it isn't your fault. I'm also sensitive to the feelings of all your fellow Floridians who didn't vote because they thought it was a beauty contest.

[ Parent ]

"don't count the votes" (5.00 / 1) (#115)
by TeresaInPa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:19:56 AM EST

is that really a legitimate position? I do not see anyone blaming Obama, what I do see is Obama trying to block a fair solution. If he really thought he would do better if he campaigned bigger there (because he did campaign there against the rules) then he would be for a re-vote. He is not for that and he is not for seating the delegates. The only thing he is for is splitting the delegates 50/50...how the hell is that fair?

[ Parent ]

Well, I imagine his idea of NASA cuts (none / 0) (#157)
by MarkL on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:42:57 AM EST

won't help him.

[ Parent ]

DNC should reverse itself and seat FL and MI (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by Prabhata on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:25:39 AM EST

Obama and Edwards did not have to remove their name from the MI ballot. It was a choice to invalidate HRC's win. FL was a fair primary and the original vote should be counted. The DNC made a mistake by penalizing FL and MI and the DNC should reverse itself and admit that it's in the best interest of Democrats to count the votes and seat the delegates of FL and MI.

Since they have addressed the idea (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:27:24 AM EST

of forwarded/undeliverable ballots and in person voting at the REOs, along with extending registration and giving ample time to return the ballots, I think both campaigns should sign on and be done with it. It's the best compromise either could hope for. But that's just me.

Who'll be on the ballots? Plan doesn't say. (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Ben Masel on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:27:30 AM EST

Will Gravel supporters be disenfranchised?

: Seems likely (none / 0) (#27)
by andgarden on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:32:46 AM EST

I think that makes yours the only legitimate objection to the plan. ;-)
Note: as of now, he isn't on the PA ballot either.

[ Parent ]

Ah, yes the rules (5.00 / 2) (#29)
by Practically Lactating on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:34:53 AM EST

According to this memo, The Rules prohibit this 50/50 split being proposed by the Obama people, so I am curious to see how they respond now.

I hope the Clinton people immediately issue a statement in support of this. I want that ball in Obama's court as quickly as possible.

it's not just robbery (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:42:03 AM EST

it's voter fraud.

voter fraud? (none / 0) (#40)
by white n az on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:48:14 AM EST

In FL?

How can that be?

I can see the logic...hold a primary, toss the results overboard and split the delegates even though he didn't get the votes. Have the Cubans taken over?

[ Parent ]

It certainly is voter fraud (none / 0) (#128)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 09:23:29 AM EST

to tell people that their votes won't count, then some people stay home, then turn around and say "whoops! we are gonna count that one after all. sorry we lied to you."

The hypocrisy of this "seat the delegates as is" chant is truly breathtaking.

And before someone repeats the "OMG RECORD TURNOUT 1.7 MILLION" talking point, please see this post demonstrating that turnout was depressed.

[ Parent ]

So you're actually NOT sensitive to Fla voters (none / 0) (#139)
by Ellie on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:17:48 AM EST

I am sensitive to the point that it isn't your fault.

That (or other TeamObi rope-a-dope) wasn't what the vote was about, though.

As in counting Florida's votes, and making their votes count. Concern-trolling Florida voters' "feelings" but discounting the actual fair votes just because your guy lost, which is Plan B for the TeamO, is the kind of "new" politics I want no part of.

It's just more My Way or the Highway strong-arming that the last guy who screwed Florida -- first by SUING his way past a vote count and then by letting his brother and cronies stop the vote count -- used to get to power no matter what.

I've had enough of uniters whose idea of unity is to just crown them king.

Count the friggin' votes.

[ Parent ]

You've got no argument (none / 0) (#141)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:34:32 AM EST

Just long-debunked cant.

[ Parent ]

: Counting the votes is 'no argument', huh? (none / 0) (#146)
by Ellie on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:43:22 AM EST

Why not actually count the actual votes and let people sort out their feelings, their way.
There's no argument for NOT counting the votes, no matter how many astro-turfing minions try to bury that glaring boil on the campain.

[ Parent ]

A really good summarization of the problem (5.00 / 3) (#55)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:09:58 AM EST

From someone named MaryBeth at Corrente

You can't take people's votes and give them to someone else and maintain any level of integrity.

Absolutely spot on.

: YEP (none / 0) (#153)
by auntmo on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:13:55 AM EST

But not to worry.....Dean & the DNC have firmly said Obama's 50/50 plan is out of the question and against party rules.
Not gonna happen. Obama's surrogates are pushing a false possibility.

[ Parent ]

either compromise would satisfy me (5.00 / 1) (#56)
by desmoinesdem on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:13:44 AM EST

Either seating the delegates or having a re-vote. The main thing is that we can't go into the general election telling residents of FL and MI that their votes didn't count.

Although turnout was high in FL, my own brother in Broward County didn't vote in January. He was under the impression that the primary was meaningless because no DNC delegates would be awarded. He would certainly vote if they had some kind of re-vote.

it seems to me that (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by cpinva on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:28:39 AM EST

the DNC and sen. obama are hoist on their own petards, with respect to both FL & MI. unless the DNC are secretly republicans, masquerading as democrats, they couldn't be doing mccain's job for him any better.

"hey, i have a great idea, let's not allow the florida primary to count, that'll really get them behind our candidate in the GE!" "brilliant!"

"while we're at it, lets keep MI out too, they'll be revved up for the GE then!" "brilliant!"

spare me the "but they violated the scheduling rules!" mantra, so did SC. yet, i don't see SC being threatened with not having their delegates seated. go figure!

sit them all, or do a re-vote, it's the only way to be sure. the longer nero fiddles, the more of rome gets burned.

Haven't seen it yet (5.00 / 1) (#137)
by blogtopus on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:12:02 AM EST

But for all the commenters who are saying 'there are so many voters who didn't go in because they were told their votes wouldn't count', they have to come to the logical conclusion that a proportional amount of HILLARY voters stayed home too. It's statistically sound. The proportion of votes should remain the same.

Can you prove that more Obama voters stayed home than Hillary voters?

I was just about to make the same point (none / 0) (#140)
by tree on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:26:46 AM EST

Current polls have Clinton ahead by 16 percentage points. She won in January by 17. In contrast to the sharp differences between the primary vote and the caucus vote in both Texas and Washington, the January Florida vote tracks current Florida voting sentiment very accurately.

[ Parent ]

Tree, looks like we woke up another flat-earther (5.00 / 1) (#147)
by blogtopus on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:43:54 AM EST

Just because you don't agree with the idea doesn't make it not so. Sorry, you can't create your own reality if you wish hard enough. If you could, why aren't you king of the universe by now?

The burden of proof is on Obama: He must prove that more Obama voters were disenfranchised than Hillary. If he wants to invalidate a primary, he needs to prove that it adversely affected his campaign in a way that wasn't also felt by the other campaigns. He can't.

See Tree's reply above. Current polls show Hillary winning FL by the SAME amount as during the primary. Ergo, Obama is at the same level he was during the primary. So all those disenfranchised voters who stayed home appear to have been proportional to those who went in to vote.

What was your point again?

[ Parent ]

Yes, totally (none / 0) (#142)
by blogtopus on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:34:34 AM EST

I think this is a valid point that needs to be made again and again. Just like with creationists, you can't use logic or science when it comes to the Obama supporters.

[ Parent ]

Sure you can (none / 0) (#144)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:36:36 AM EST

but self-serving assertions with no underlying evidence are neither science nor logic.

[ Parent ]

: Speaking of self-serving assertions (none / 0) (#151)
by tree on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:10:18 AM EST

You have absolutely no evidence to back up your claim that the Florida primary results didn't represent the will of Florida Democrats. You've got no evidence that the percentage of Obama supporters that didn't vote is any greater than the number of Clinton supporters that didn't, thus you have no proof that the January result didn't represent the popular will in that state.

[ Parent ]

One of the reasons I come to this site (none / 0) (#159)
by ChrisO on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:26:03 PM EST

is because it's one of the few places a Clinton supporter can voice our preferences without enduring a hundred posts of ridicule and name calling. But at the same time, I appreciate the fact the posters like JJE, Halstoon, JoeA and others come here to make the case for Obama, knowing that the majority of responses will disagree with them.

It's not my place to police this site, but I would hope we could avoid comments like "Obama supporters are like creationists," and "You can't use logic when it comes to Obama supporters." I don't agree with most of the pro-Obama comments, but I wouldn't say they're devoid of logic. Besides, there's a very good chance that come September I'll be an Obama supporter, as well.

[ Parent ]

: the authors of this site will support Obama (none / 0) (#162)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:13:06 PM EST

if nominated.
Name calling isn't allowed here. Over the top comments should be reported by email and I will delete them.

[ Parent ]

It's not statistically sound at all (none / 0) (#143)
by JJE on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:35:43 AM EST

It's just a wild guess. Can you prove it? I like to err on the side of democracy, myself.

[ Parent ]

yeah, I've argued the point many times (4.50 / 2) (#65)
by tandem5 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:54:05 AM EST

that there is such outrage over a small body of officials (the super delegates) having the power to overrule, in a sense, the pledged delegates in selecting the nominee, but little or no concern over the few party officials and state leaders (compared to that of the millions of voters) that did overrule the electorate of Florida and Michigan.

This is all pointless (1.00 / 1) (#78)
by Seth90212 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:53:34 AM EST

The delegates will not be seated as is. You know why? Because the DNC and the Obama campaign won't allow it. It is not fair to Obama so he will veto. It is not fair to Obama so DNC will veto. It is not fair to Obama so every Obama supporting elected official in MI and FL will veto. This is a non-starter. It will never work. Why waste time on it? IT WON'T HAPPEN!!! We wouldn't be in this mess if Clinton and her supporters had promoting a viable solution early on instead of this fantasy.

This thread about the revote plan... (none / 0) (#80)
by Robot Porter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:01:13 AM EST

what do you think of that?

[ Parent ]

Revote (none / 0) (#82)
by Seth90212 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:07:19 AM EST

If we had been talking about revotes early on instead of indulging in fantaties that benefit our candidates maybe there would have been enough time to organize revotes. Now it's iffy, and there are so many recriminations and Obama is in a position of extreme strength and won't do Hillary any favors, nor should he. If the situation were reversed I imagine Hillary instead of calling for revotes would be calling for Obama to drop out for the good of the party.

[ Parent ]

Why don't you just state your opinion ... (none / 0) (#89)
by Robot Porter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:33:23 AM EST

not what if, maybe, someone else might have done, if something different had happened?

There is a good chance of losing FL in the GE if we don't find a way to respect the voters of that state.

This isn't about one candidate. It's about the party's chances in November as well.

[ Parent ]

Hillary is not focused on the GE (none / 0) (#92)
by Seth90212 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:42:06 AM EST

too much is she? She is not campaigning like a GE candidate. She is trying to win the nomination. Period. Obama is the same way, though I think to a lesser extent because of his temperament and because he is now the likely nominee. Either side if they had their druthers, will take the nomination and worry about MI and FL when they cross those bridges.

My opinion is that whoever is the nominee should seat the delegates. Seat them as long as they don't affect the outcome. Rules are Rules. We can't change in midstream. Some people say you should punish them further by cutting the delegations in half. I don't agree. They've been punished enough.

[ Parent ]

Okay, so lose FL (none / 0) (#93)
by Robot Porter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:55:46 AM EST

Nice plan.

[ Parent ]

: I don't think it'll make a difference (none / 0) (#94)
by Seth90212 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 04:10:52 AM EST

if he loses Fl it won't be because of this nonsense.

[ Parent ]

That was one of her two big missteps (none / 0) (#105)
by zzyzx on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:39:18 AM EST

Spending 6 weeks trying to get FL and MI seated as is instead of working on a revote and not contesting the February states are why she's in this mess.

As for just counting the vote as it, this post talks a lot about the Florida voters, but what about the Obama voters. How do you think people will feel if he loses the nomination due to a vote that everyone was told didn't count ahead of time? That wouldn't exactly make them happy with the process, and there are a lot more Obama voters than Floridians.

[ Parent ]

What wasn't fair (none / 0) (#83)
by Edgar08 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:16:49 AM EST

Name one advantage Clinton had on Jan. 29 that Obama didn't have?

[ Parent ]

More people in Florida supported her? (5.00 / 2) (#86)
by Robot Porter on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:22:24 AM EST

;)

[ Parent ]

: you read my mind! (5.00 / 1) (#91)
by ghost2 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:34:56 AM EST

was going to post exactly that!

[ Parent ]

You're missing the point (none / 0) (#88)
by Seth90212 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 03:29:04 AM EST

Forget about her universal name recognition because that is irrelevant. What is relevant is that all the participants and the electorate were told that none of it would count. Therefore it won't count. No credible institution would set rules like that and have everyone play by those rules and then reverse itself. I don't know why this has been so difficult for some people to grasp.

[ Parent ]

Bingo! (5.00 / 1) (#108)
by oldpro on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:04:08 AM EST

The operative words are "no credible institution!"

The politics of hope should go down the drain with Howard Dean's demonstration of leadership, pushed into being by the netroots/Deaniacs as "leadership you can believe in!"

Thank gawd he didn't become president...who knows where such judgment and stubborness would have led?

"Buffalo Bill's defunct..."

[ Parent ]

Obama told them it would count (none / 0) (#98)
by ineedalife on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:04:25 AM EST

I know it is just words. And we have seen by his campaign that his words are just "best case scenarios". But Obama went down to Fl and gave a press conference that ensured them that he would work to seat their delegates. But since the election went against him that just went into the history bin as another best case scenario.

[ Parent ]

Can you source that? (none / 0) (#114)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:15:41 AM EST

When exactly did he go down there? And what exactly did he say?

[ Parent ]

September 2007 (none / 0) (#138)
by tree on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 10:17:30 AM EST

In an unscheduled press conference after an Obama fundraiser in Tampa.

Obama Vows To "Do What's Right"

[ Parent ]

: Bravo, tree! (none / 0) (#155)
by auntmo on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:22:39 AM EST

But of course Obama told the FLorida voters he would support their reinstatement.
And then when he lost, he reneged.
It is no wonder they now resent his flip-flopping.
Did Kerry teach him that? :)

[ Parent ]
: Thanks for the link. (none / 0) (#166)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:33:36 PM EST

You know, context is important. The lead of the story is the only place where it mentioned delegates, and here's what it said:
Barack Obama hinted during a Tampa fundraiser Sunday that if he's the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he'll seat a Florida delegation at the party's national convention, despite national party sanctions prohibiting it.
The key here is to note that his hint was that if he were the presumptive nominee; he is not the presumptive nominee. He is the leading candidate for the nomination; that is far different.
The situation Obama mentioned--and the one you pretend he's violating--is the one McCain is in. Now that McCain has 1191+, he can seat the whole delegations from FL & MI, not just half. IF Obama or Clinton had done the same, the same would have happened in Denver.
I hope that helps!

[ Parent ]

Name recognition. (none / 0) (#112)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:13:34 AM EST

There is no denying that she held a substantial margin in that category.

[ Parent ]

After Iowa (none / 0) (#158)
by Edgar08 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:01:55 PM EST

I doubt it.

[ Parent ]

: You would be wrong. (none / 0) (#167)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:36:12 PM EST

Winning Iowa doesn't give you the same recognition as being First Lady for 8 years and then a senator for 7. Clinton is world famous. A lot of people don't pay attention to politics until it's on their home turf.
She will likely win a re-vote. I'll not argue that. But I really don't think she'll keep her same margin of victory.

[ Parent ]

It is not a question of fairness (none / 0) (#99)
by ineedalife on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:06:53 AM EST

Benefit Obama does not equal "fair". I would agree with your comment if you replace "fair" with "benefit Obama". They are not the same thing.

[ Parent ]

That isn't going to happen Jeralyn (none / 0) (#1)
by flyerhawk on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:12:55 AM EST

and I am sure you know it.

The only way it could happen is if the credentials committee approves it, which they won't since it's members are proportional to delegate counts, or a floor vote at the convention.

There is no chance that Obama will allow those delegates to be seated, and he shouldn't.

What does everyone think of the fact that Party registration is open until April 30th under this plan?

if there is no chance that Obama (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by white n az on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:26:19 AM EST

will allow those delegates to be seated, he will suffer the consequences of being identified as the one who suppressed the votes.

How then could he be for counting all the votes in November?

How could anyone believe that he is a transcendent politician?

Write off FL and MI...nice way to enter the general election cycle.

[ Parent ]

: Obama will lose the GE too (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:32:34 AM EST

if he follows though with shutting out the Florida voters.
Do remember this mess is between the DNC and the Florida /democratic party --
the Florida voters did not cause this mess -- and the Florida voters will make Obama feel their pain if he does not see their point -- and soon.

[ Parent ]

I hear an echo in Florida (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:29:27 AM EST

Bush would be so proud

[ Parent ]

FL is accustomed... (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by white n az on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:32:54 AM EST

to not having their votes counted but I was under the impression that required SCOTUS to weigh in...evidently not so.

[ Parent ]

This is the Obama expedited way (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by sara seattle on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:37:30 AM EST

to disenfranchise voters in Florida

I cannot imagine how someone this smart as Obama cannot see what he is doing to the Florida voters

There are huge flashing DANGER signs all over this mess - and yet he is barreling through

[ Parent ]

could it be (5.00 / 3) (#38)
by white n az on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:45:10 AM EST

that he is so focused on beating HRC that he fails to see that he has effectively written off 2 substantial states (EC wise)?

win the battle, lose the war philosophy.

[ Parent ]

Why is nobody stating the obvious? (none / 0) (#59)
by digdugboy on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:38:02 AM EST

The obvious solution is that Hillary should concede. She's too far behind in delegates to ever catch up in the remaining primaries, and her continuing on only hurts the party.

[ Parent ]

If Obama can't win FL and MI (5.00 / 3) (#68)
by badger on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 02:05:52 AM EST

maybe he should concede. Or at least allow those votes to be counted.

[ Parent ]

why should she concede to a dem (5.00 / 1) (#106)
by sancho on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:43:36 AM EST

who will likely lose in the ge? why should she concede when the odds are she is going to get more votes that he did? it seems to me obama should wait until pennsylvania and, if he loses substantially, then concede. she can put him on as vp and then, with his redstate popularity, we will finally win utah in the ge. with hillary at the top of the ticket we will at least win michigan and pennsylvania, have a good chance in ohio, and be competitive in florida.

obama cant get any of those states. he likley wont get michgican either.

and, as most here know, he aint going to win utah either.

[ Parent ]

Um...wrong (none / 0) (#62)
by otherlisa on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:50:53 AM EST

If FL & MI are seated and she wins PA by the sort of margin she won Ohio, it will be up to the super-delegates to determine the nominee. Obama is still the more likely nominee, but Clinton has a decent shot.

[ Parent ]

: It will be up to the superdelegates (none / 0) (#119)
by kenosharick on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:22:16 AM EST

no matter what. Despite the media spin, Obama needs the supers just as much as Hillary.

[ Parent ]

Re voter registration (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by Step Beyond on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:36:05 AM EST

I think that there is no fair point at which to cut off the registration. Obviously, once the Repubs voted and their votes were counted any later date for registration allows them to get a second vote, this time in the Dem primary. But if you didn't have some registration open, then some could say that they switched their party registration from Dem or didn't make it Dem for the Jan 20th primary, because they thought their vote wouldn't count due to the DNC ruling.

I can't see how any date would be absolutely fair. Its the problem with revotes and why I oppose them - every decision can be legitimately questioned. But if a revote is the only option of any vote counting, I guess you have to work on a sliding scale of fairness.

[ Parent ]

: I agree .. They should stipulate (none / 0) (#100)
by ding7777 on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 07:09:09 AM EST

that the re-vote is to be open only to those who did not vote in the Republican Primary.

[ Parent ]

Jeralyn is right... (5.00 / 3) (#52)
by Oje on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:04:54 AM EST

in that the current vote has to be kept on the bargaining table. That vote was legitimate by my reading of the DNC rules, because it has language that takes into account the control of Democrats to set the date. Here is the party line...

If Floridians get to caught up in a revote, and then that gets shot down, the legitimation of their first vote might also come into question. So, they must argue for the revote on the grounds that the first vote was legitimate, but undermined by the political calculations of a renegade credential committee and an unforeseeably close race that complicates the seating of their delegates. The Florida Democrat party is the victim of the Republican party and the DNC that colluded to disenfranchise Florida voters. It was not their own doing.

[ Parent ]

The list of Registered Democrats (none / 0) (#44)
by MKS on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:54:00 AM EST

The memo does not state how the Florida Democratic Party will get a copy of the list of Registered Democrats....

CNN did a blurb on Anderson Cooper 360 that said it is illegal for the State of Florida to release the list.....Any vote without the list would be be subject to fraud.....

[ Parent ]

It also said a mail-in ballot was illegal (5.00 / 1) (#45)
by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:55:43 AM EST

under Florida statutes, that you can't have a mail-in with candidates that already are on the ballot, like Hillary and Obama. They interviewed the state supervisor of elections or someone like that.

[ Parent ]

: It is a (5.00 / 2) (#48)
by MKS on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:57:42 AM EST

giant mess....

[ Parent ]

I think (none / 0) (#60)
by Step Beyond on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 01:41:47 AM EST

It is possible that the msm didn't actually do research.

I'd bet the FDP has access to the voter rolls. Doesn't seem like they are that secret. Why here's a list of people/addresses of new registered voters (Dec 2007)in my Florida county from the county election website. Not that secret.

I also found a site that will sell anyone a list of registered Florida voters.

[ Parent ]

: It's not the list of voters they need, (none / 0) (#109)
by halstoon on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 08:06:39 AM EST

it's their signatures. Can't verify the ballots w/o access to the signature list.

[ Parent ]

We need a revote (none / 0) (#3)
by dianem on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:18:05 AM EST

If by some miracle Clinton pulls of the election, and we haven't revoted Florida, then her selection will be tainted. If Obama wins, then Floridians will resent him for rejecting them in the primary. We don't need for fairness - we need it for the appearance of fainess.

: i don't get it (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by TheRefugee on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:25:09 AM EST

All candidates were on the ballot in FL. All candidates save Obama obliged no-campaigning agreement. A record number of voters turned out despite not knowing if their vote would count. Hillary won hands down. In MI your point has merit. In FL the playing field was already as fair as it could get...voters had access to plenty of info on the candidates to make an informed decision. They chose Clinton. The fair thing to do would be to seat the delegates in FL according to H's win. In MI, since Obama was "sensitive" to the feelings of Iowa and NH about MI leapfrogging them he refused to put his name on the ballot. Hillary didn't break a rule. Obama voters could have still written in Obbama so far as I know. IMO, MI should be seated as is as well as it was Obama's intention to gain votes in IA and NH by withholding his name in MI. His gambit backfired so he should pay a price for it. Not to mention if Edwards is on the ballot in MI and FL and campaigns hard in those states would that have changed his fortune? As is is the only fair thing. The realistic thing is to seat FL as is and hold a revote in MI.

[ Parent ]

I tend to agree with you (none / 0) (#6)
by digdugboy on Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 12:18:42 AM EST

First, another campaign in Florida will cause both candidates to spend millions of dollars that should be reserved for the general election.

Second, I don't think a re-vote is going to make any substantial difference in the numbers of delegates awarded to each candidate.

Third, the idea that some landslide popular vote victory for Senator Clinton, used to aid the argument that superdelegates should throw there support toward her, is not compelling in terms of fairness at all.

On the other hand, if the DNC relents and seats the delegates, it has set the precedent for future states to be mavericks. I can understand why they want to draw a hard line.

your proposal flies in the face (