OBAMA CAN NOT DISENFRANCHISE 1.68 Million Florida Democratic Primary Voters -- more than double the number in 2004, and triple the number in 2000. Hillary won the majority of this record turnout:

Total DEM votes cast in the 2008 primary: 1,683,984

Total DEM votes cast in the 2004 primary: 753,762

Total DEM votes cast in the 2000 primary: 551,916

http://www.star-telegram.com/elections/story/453533.html

Since IA, NH, and SC broke DNC Rule 11A, why hasn't the DNC disenfranchised the voters in those states? Thanks to Andre Walker (firedoglake) for providing the research on DNC Rule 11A:

The DNC must apply rules equally and fairly.

Rule 11.A. of the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention states the following:
11. TIMING OF THE DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
A. No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries which constitute the first determining stage in the presidential nomination process (the date of the primary in primary states, and the date of the first tier caucus in caucus states) may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February or after the second Tuesday in June in the calendar year of the national convention. Provided, however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the Nevada first-tier caucuses may be held no earlier than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February; and that the South Carolina primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February. In no instance may a state which scheduled delegate selection procedures on or between the first Tuesday in February and the second Tuesday in June 1984 move out of compliance with the provisions of this rule.
We already know that Florida and Michigan violated Rule 11.A. by moving their primaries to a date before the first Tuesday in February. There is no argument there, but what about Iowa, New Hampshire, and yes, South Carolina too.
Rule 11.A specifically set the date for the primaries & caucuses for those three states as "no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February" (Iowa), "no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February" (New Hampshire), and "no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February" (South Carolina).
Iowa held their caucuses on January 3rd. That's more than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February. New Hampshire held their primary on January 8th. That's more than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February. And South Carolina held their primary on January 26th. That's more than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February.

Here 's some more history behind the Republican-ruled FL Legislature's vote to change primary date. The FL Dem Party tried to get Repubs to go for the first Tuesday in Feb., but the Repubs didn't want to be lumped together with everyone else on Super Tuesday so insisted on the Tues. before Super Tuesday. This legislation also included initiating a paper trail for FL votes, which Dems and Progressives have worked so hard for. Here's excerpt from FLAdems website. (Go there for the complete account.)


Initially, before a specific date had been decided upon by the Republicans, some Democrats did actively support the idea of moving earlier in the calendar year. That changed when Speaker Rubio announced he wanted to break the Rules of the Democratic and Republican National Committees. Following this announcement, DNC and Florida Democratic Party staff talked about the possibility that our primary date would move up in violation of Rule 11.A.

Party leaders and members of Congress then lobbied Democratic members of the Legislature through a variety of means to prevent the primary from moving earlier than February 5th. Senate Democratic Leaders Geller and Wilson and House Democratic Leaders Gelber and Cusack introduced amendments to CS/HB 537 to hold the Presidential Preference Primary on the first Tuesday in February, instead of January 29th. These were both defeated by the overwhelming Republican majority in each house.

The primary bill, which at this point had been rolled into a larger legislation train, went to a vote in both houses. The final bill contained a whole host of elections legislation, including a vital provision to require a paper trail for Florida elections. There was no way that any Florida Democratic Party official or Democratic legislative leader could ask our Democratic members, especially those in the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, to vote against a paper trail for our elections.

(more to follow on DNC Rule 11

(cont.)
Also it has to be pointed out that the states of IA, NH, and SC all violated rule 11A, but the voters in these states were not disenfranchised by the DNC Shouldn't the DNC apply the rules fairly to all? (Thanks to Andre Walker of firedoglake website for providing this research)

Rule 11.A. of the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention states the following:
11. TIMING OF THE DELEGATE SELECTION PROCESS
A. No meetings, caucuses, conventions or primaries which constitute the first determining stage in the presidential nomination process (the date of the primary in primary states, and the date of the first tier caucus in caucus states) may be held prior to the first Tuesday in February or after the second Tuesday in June in the calendar year of the national convention. Provided, however, that the Iowa precinct caucuses may be held no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the Nevada first-tier caucuses may be held no earlier than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February; that the New Hampshire primary may be held no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February; and that the South Carolina primary may be held no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February. In no instance may a state which scheduled delegate selection procedures on or between the first Tuesday in February and the second Tuesday in June 1984 move out of compliance with the provisions of this rule.
We already know that Florida and Michigan violated Rule 11.A. by moving their primaries to a date before the first Tuesday in February. There is no argument there, but what about Iowa, New Hampshire, and yes, South Carolina too.
Rule 11.A specifically set the date for the primaries & caucuses for those three states as "no earlier than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February" (Iowa), "no earlier than 14 days before the first Tuesday in February" (New Hampshire), and "no earlier than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February" (South Carolina).
Iowa held their caucuses on January 3rd. That's more than 22 days before the first Tuesday in February. New Hampshire held their primary on January 8th. That's more than 17 days before the first Tuesday in February. And South Carolina held their primary on January 26th. That's more than 7 days before the first Tuesday in February.

"Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

But that doesnt apply to Hillary! Michigan: In response to the question why hers was ther only name on the ballot, she laughingly said, "What's the difference? Those votes won't count for anything anyway." And hard working people were not inclined to stand in long lines to vote in a meaningless primary. Then she defeated NOBODY as anyone would have expected. Now, needing every advantage she can get, she says that she wants HER votes, etc., etc.

She is always fair -- except when she isn't.

She doesn't predict either, except that "it'll all be over on the dasy after Super Tuesday."

And she really wants Latino votes now -- after telling Blacks that Latinos were taking their jobs!

She unites .... the opposition. Umm, I think maybe I can see why!

I'm from Florida, and I say, "NO". No seating of our delegates...not without a new primary or some type of caucus. Most democrats did NOT go and vote during our primary because they KNEW the vote would NOT COUNT.

NO NO NO. And, for those of you who blame Florida Democrats for our predicament...we didn't have a choice! We have a republican legislature that made this decision DESPITE our objections.

This should be asked at the next debate, she is lower than dirt.

what other rules does she want to change after the fact? so much for uniting the party.

Just what We, the People need...

Another President that twists the rules at their convenience.

The only way any of this (superdelegates or the Michigan/Florida delegation) becomes an issue is if Hillary refuses to leave the race after March 4. She can be remembered for the downfall of the party and the return of a Republican to the White House or as a classy woman

I live in Florida -- it was our REPUBLICAN Gov. Crist who decided to move up the date (probably to help Rudy early in the GOP race).

Florida loves the Clintons. And after all of the FL votes were truly counted (after Bush stole the election) it was PROVEN GORE WON FLORIDA. Problem was, Gore was bullied into quiting when he should have demanded a state-wide recount.

If you Obama people want to tell Florida we don't count in the primary, you're handing another state to McCain in the general election.

Howard Dean does not have the right to strip FL of our delegates.

The ONLY way Florida and Michigan delegates should be seated is if new primaries are held in those states.

This is the only way to ensure that the will of those voters is captured fairly -- current results are mightily skewed because too many people stayed away thinking their votes would not count.

Obama can't get to 2025 delegates (pledged + Superdelegates) to win the nomination unless Hillary quits.

The simple fact is that the state party leadership of Florida and Michigan sold the Democrats of those states out.

It was a political tactic, pure and simple:

Get those votes for Hillary locked in before the Democratic electorate of those two states had the opportunity to pierce the veil of "experience" the MSM cooperated with Hillary's campaign in drawing across their eyes.

There really are only two choices: Either don't seat their delegates, or give them the opportunity to have another primary.

I'd note that if Florida's and Michigan's state Democratic leadership resists the idea of holding another primary in their states, that would pretty much put "paid" on my theory that they were out to screw their own people.

Didn't she say something in the debate last night about "rules being rules" regarding the superdelegates? Interesting that rules are only rules if they suit her purpose.