DNC Stonewalling FL and MI

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:56:08 AM EST
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By Big Tent Democrat

Via Marc Ambinder, the DNC sems intent on losing Florida and Michgian in November:

Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Alcee Hastings, both of Florida, are accusing the DNC of slow-walking several appeals to the party's rules and bylaws committee. Those appeals, if successful, could reinstate Florida's superdelegates or even part of its regular convention delegation. In a letter sent to the chairs of the rules and bylaws committee today, Hastings and Nelson say that the DNC staff is keeping secret its recommendation about the validity of those appeals. They imply that the DNC is trying to drag the process into June, so no action is taken until after the regular primary period ends.

. . . The letter suggests that Hastings and Nelson want the press to focus on two themes: (a) the idea that the DNC is trying to "solve" the Florida problem with the kind of back-room deal that DNC chairman Howard Dean promised to avoid. (b) that the RBC risks its legitimacy if it fails to litigate the matter quickly and publicly.

The DNC has proven to be the gang that can't shoot straight. The incompetence is stunning.

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DNC Stonewalling FL and MI | 42 comments (42 topical)

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Aaaack! (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by madamab on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:57:18 AM EST

And I was feeling so mellow discussing PA.

What is wrong with the DNC?

I actually thought Dean would bring fresh air (5.00 / 7) (#2)
by jawbone on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:58:56 AM EST

to the DNC--I was really glad he won the chairmanship.

And looking at this mess? How can someone who championed a 50 state strategy do something like this????


: I worked for his Prez bid and DNC chair... (5.00 / 2) (#30)
by alexei on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:01:54 PM EST

but, as I have said before, FL and MI are deal breakers and Dean has failed as Chairman.

The arrogance of (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by oldpro on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:01:59 AM EST

those with a little bit of power. They overstepped and now don't know how to back out of mess they've made. No matter what they do now, someone will be furious and make them pay. They want to put it off as long as possible, hoping against hope they'll be rescued by 'events.'


: Exactly (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:04:28 AM EST

Dean blaming super delegates......it's priceless.

MSM is calling it a 'backroom deal' (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by ruffian on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:59:32 AM EST

So I guess the Nelson-Hastings strategy got through to them.

The company where I work has big TV monitors in some of the hallways that had either CNN or MSNBC (I forget which - they alternate every day) on this morning. The sound was off, but I could read the bottom banner and it said 'DNC Backroom Deal for FL and MI' in great big letters.

: Dean on FL & Mich (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by BackFromOhio on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:48:30 PM EST

Last night (I think -- all these shows are getting telescoped in my mind) or this a.m. on either MSNBC or CNN, Howard Dean declared that Michigan & Florida had broken the rules and that no other state had done so. And, there was no challenge to this statement. MSM needs to get educated here.

Incompetence (5.00 / 5) (#4)
by AnninCA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:01:08 AM EST

is generous. I never write to politicians, but the DNC did hear from me when Dean said that he wanted the Super Delegates to end the race. Right before Pennsylvania closing, he says this?

I was beyond furious.

FL and MI were bad enough, but that made it crystal clear what is really going on.

Yesterday (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by flashman on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:32:02 AM EST

there was an article about how SD's are not feeling pressured to relent to Dean ( sorry, no link ) It seems they are acting independentl after all.


: This primary season is a lesson in reverse psych (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by blogtopus on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:06:11 PM EST

Everything that the DLC / DNC demands, the voters take the opposite direction.
If Dean wants this to end, he'd have to show some wuevos and tell the voters that Florida and Michigan MUST be counted; then they'll get bored and wander off, mission accomplished in their mind.
Same with Obama. These guys obviously have never fed a 3 year old.

: I Suspect It's the Other Way Around (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by BDB on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:10:38 PM EST

and Dean is trying not to get out ahead of his automatic delegates.
Anglachel had an interesting point about all of this - that perhaps Dean is waiting to see if Clinton wins big in PA (a big if, fingers crossed), that Supers might start privately lining up behind her, which makes it easier for him to agree to support seating FL & MI. He would know he has the backing to do so. Perhaps that's why he's saying he needs to know by June what SDs are thinking.
I'm not sure this is the right reading, since I think you can also read any delay on FL/MI as helping Obama, but that could be more Brazile's doing with Dean just trying to clean up after her and hold the party together.
Again, not sure it's right, but it was interesting to read a different take.

Mr. 50-state strategy drops 2 states (5.00 / 3) (#5)
by catfish on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:01:30 AM EST

for the first time in decades.

When I recently saw Dean's face (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:03:05 AM EST

on the news it was the first time I had ever wrinkled my nose at him. SAD, very very sad and not what I expected out of Dean at all. And I thought he would care when Democrats were upset or feeling disenfranchised, it is stunning watching him not really care much at all.

Time to break out (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:03:12 AM EST

that video from the credentials committee again. . .

I Think They're Waiting Until After PA (5.00 / 2) (#9)
by BDB on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:03:27 AM EST

I can't decide whether that's to help Obama by keeping the Math more firmly in his favor in case he somehow manages to win tonight or at least not hurting him going into the voting today. Or if it's so that if Clinton wins big tonight, increasing party worries about Obama's electability, the party can cover its bets by deciding this issue (and help her build momentum). Or both. Or neither.

But whatever the reason, I'm not surprised that we won't have a decision before Pennsylvania.

Dean et al will continue to face grumbling about (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by outsider on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:05:03 AM EST

this, but I'm not sure that their position will become untenable, *unless* HRC manages to get herself into a situation where the inclusion/exclusion of FL and MI makes the difference as to whether she is ahead or drawing in the popular vote. The scale of her victory in PA today will cast this issue in a v interesting light, methinks...

Every phone call from the DNC .... (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Annie M on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:06:26 AM EST

I tell them not one thin dime more until you resolve Michigan & Florida. I've unsubscribed to their e-mail list and when they asked me why I write "Two words - Michigan & Florida." This is a royal screw up by Dean and if Hillary wins by a decent margin in Pennsylvania it will magnify the problem further.

HA! (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by sas on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:31:23 AM EST

You are more generous than I!

I tell them NOT ONE NICKEL more until they do right by Michigan and Florida.


: DNC fundraising calls (5.00 / 2) (#27)
by NYMARJ on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:43:09 AM EST

Was wondering how many people were complaining about Michigan and Florida when the DNC fundraiser called - when mine called and I mentioned no money until those states counted before nomination - caller was very annoyed - OK MAAM - is what he said

You can not unsubscribe on the new DNC email (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by Salt on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:06:43 PM EST

the link is not activated, I also will contribute not a dime to the DNC or DCCC, NOTHING because of Mich and Fla but before I could ever consider a future donation it would require that Donna Brazile be fired and Dean Step down. While Mich and Fla need to be seated, no voter should be disenfranchised by Party elites ever, the damage of the orchestrated momentum boost that the DNC's foot on the race scale gave Obama candidacy during the SC aftermath is done and Brazile's personal performance on CNN as a DNC leader of rampant BC racism cannot be undone no matter what remedy now comes forward for them. My principled conviction if I were a Clinton supporter in either of those States would to dis enroll in the Party, that blunder or fraud dependent of your view was unforgivable.


Breaking: Donna Brazille just DQ'd CA, OH (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by Exeter on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:07:03 AM EST

...Apparently they mailed in their delegate application in using Times New Roman font, instead of the DNC required Arial font.

: Heh. (none / 0) (#21)
by oldpro on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:14:40 AM EST

50 superdelegates to endorse Obama!!! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Josey on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:21:18 AM EST

This is the headline on pro-Obama blogs, but the fine print is - IF he wins PA.
LOL

LATimes -
>>>Obama strategists said Monday that they expected to announce a series of additional endorsements by uncommitted superdelegates shortly after Pennsylvania votes. A strong showing by Obama in Pennsylvania would give superdelegates more comfort in coming forward, but a bad loss might send them back to the assessment stage.

So the SDs are waiting on PA results, but since February, Obama has been calling for Hillary to GET OUT.
Mindboggling illogical logic!

: Same 50 IF he won Ohio, etc.? (5.00 / 3) (#25)
by Cream City on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:35:16 AM EST

Remember that story, remember that it didn't happen.

: Haha (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by Steve M on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:36:12 AM EST

I remember seeing all the banner headlines about "50 superdelegates" before Ohio and Texas as well. It's apparently a standard rumor to float before any election, kind of like the Gore endorsement.

: 50? (none / 0) (#42)
by BDB on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 03:22:33 PM EST

That's weak. If Obama wins tonight, all of the SDs are likely to break for him because Clinton is likely to drop out.
Perhaps they're lowering expectations. ;-)

DP = (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by jpete on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:53:42 AM EST

deathwish party. One could despair .

Ausman (5.00 / 2) (#29)
by Step Beyond on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:59:14 AM EST

I've felt they were stalling all along. The DNC figures that if the election would end they can seat the delegates without having them matter and the people will believe they weren't disenfranchised. Sadly, I'm sure it would have worked on some. But it would have never worked on me and I'm hardly exceptional.

St Pete Times

"There's obviously a stall going on. ... They're treating Florida worse than their own dog,'' said Jon Ausman of Tallahassee, who five weeks ago filed two appeals with the DNC's rules and bylaws committee, arguing that the committee overstepped its authority in stripping away Florida's delegates to the national convention.
For weeks, Ausman said he has been unable to get calls returned by the prominent co-chairs of that committee, Alexis Herman and Jim Roosevelt, or any word on how the committee will proceed. Either they want to wait until a candidate drops out of the race or don't want to admit they made a mistake in punishing Florida so severely for setting a primary earlier than DNC rules allowed, Ausman said.

Ausman also commented on another post here:

Since this appeal was filed five weeks ago, and being the person who filed the appeal, I have yet to hear from the Co-Chairs of the DNC RBC. One would think professionalism, courtesy or respect would result in a phone call, a letter or some communication indicating how this matter will be handled.
Imagine going on a trip and leaving your dog locked inside your home for five weeks. Most folks would treat their dogs better than the DNC RBC Co-Chairs are treating Florida.
It is, indeed, time to release the staff analysis, the Co-Chairs' recommendations and to schedule a full hearing before the DNC RBC.

: It's not just a stall (5.00 / 2) (#34)
by litigatormom on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:41:06 PM EST

It's something so bad they want to stall it AND hide it.
This morning, Mika Brzezinki was once again was whining about "changing the rules" whenever Joe Scarborough said, while reporting this story, that the Dems had to resolve the situation. Since when is Scarborough the grassroots Democrat in that twosome?

Clinton on Larry King last night (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by IzikLA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:44:59 PM EST

said something that, to my ears, was very telling. She said something to the effect that she would not bow out of the race until the fate of the FL & MI votes were decided. If I heard that correctly that is a strong stand to Dean and the DNC that they better figure it out. This tactic leaves it in their hands but puts the pressure on them at the same time. I thought it was pretty smart.

In a recent interview (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by sander60tx on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 01:09:20 PM EST

(sorry I forgot which one) Dean said that he thought the FL and MI delegate situation would be resolved and that the delegates would be seated. Then he said that it would obviously be easier to do that AFTER the nominee had been chosen. Otherwise, he said that since neither primary was fair (no campaigning in either state, and Obama not on the ballot in MI), the candidates would need to agree on a solution. He seemed to imply that it did not matter when the situation was resolved. Obviously, if it is clear that Obama would be the nominee, regardless of whether MI and FL votes counted, that would make it easier to resolve the whole thing. So, yes, they are stalling, hoping for an "easier" resolution. And like others, I won't give the DNC a dime until the whole thing is settled.

: Wouldn't it be funny (none / 0) (#39)
by cmugirl on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 01:33:13 PM EST

If Obama (barely) got the nomination without FL and MI, Dean magnanimously allows them to be seated, and at the convention during the roll call of the states, MI and FL publicly and loudly stand there when it is their turn and say "The Great State of Michigan/Florida proudly casts its {number} of delegates for Hillary Clinton!"
How embarrassing to an Obama love-fest!

Hold on, folks (none / 0) (#10)
by Kathy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:03:48 AM EST

Alcee Hastings is in the bag for Obama. This is spin, plain and simple. Anything he does is part of the Obama plan to tank the nomination for Clinton.

They know this is going to the convention floor and they are doing some behind the scenes maneuvering of their own. PA must look worse for them than we think.

Hurray!

Nonsense (5.00 / 2) (#13)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:05:36 AM EST

Hastings is a Clinton supporter.


But Nelson is firm for Clinton (5.00 / 3) (#15)
by ruffian on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:06:42 AM EST

I really think they are doing what is best for FL here, regardless of the candidate that gets hurt or helped.

Actually, as I have said ad nauseum, it is better for Obama if he counts FL now while he can get some gredit for being big about it.


Nope. Like me, Obama (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by oldpro on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:12:10 AM EST

doesn't need credit.

He has cash.


: Money (none / 0) (#44)
by AnninCA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:26:55 PM EST

can't buy the love, baby.
He spent it like water.
All those $25 donations.
And he's losing PA just as much as if he had conceded.

Interesting (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by AnninCA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:06:42 AM EST

I thought Obama's internals said he'd do better than people expect.

I sure hope you're right.


Hastings (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:10:11 AM EST

In 2007, he was a Clinton National Campaign Co-Chair:

: Zoinks (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by Kathy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:12:07 AM EST

got my names mixed up! Put one in for the other, please, and blame it on PA Anxiety Syndrome (PAAS)

James Roosevelt Jr. (none / 0) (#33)
by ineedalife on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:27:18 PM EST

He must be the bad guy in this. He and Alexis Herman are the RBC Co-chairs that are sitting on the report. He has gone on record in an interview as recent as five weeks ago that the national party will never back down and allow MI and FL to decide the outcome.

FEMA level incompetence (none / 0) (#37)
by myiq2xu on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:58:24 PM EST

Where is "Heckuva job Brownie" these days anyway?