Florida Delegate Seating Now Up to Obama, Clinton

The Democratic party leadership showed today they are really nervous about what is being called the 'Florida Boondoggle," the effort to find a solution in seating the State's 211 delegates - a powerhouse number as the primary season dwindles down. They issued a widely-circulated communiqué which put the delegate seating status squarely on the two candidates -- Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"If that doesn't cause fireworks, nothing will," said one undecided super-delegate.

The Internet and e-mails in Florida were filled with copies of the communiqué - issued just after noon on Wednesday, April 2.

The party press release said that "after a joint meeting today among Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen L. Thurman and Florida's Democratic Congressional Delegation" they agreed that:

"We are all committed to doing everything we can to ensure that a Florida delegation is seated in Denver. We all agree that whatever the solution, it must have the support of both campaigns."

"While there may be differences of opinion in how we get there, we are all committed to ensuring that Florida's delegation is seated in Denver. We're committed to working with both campaigns to reach a solution as soon as realistically possible."

"We are also laying the groundwork to ensure we win in Florida in November and spent time here today talking about how to do just that. We will continue to work towards a solution to ensure delegates are seated and logistics are in place for a Florida delegation in Denver."

The statement - which got widespread dissemination to Florida's Democratic workers via emails - was supposed to allay anxiety which has been building for weeks - the DNC's threat to refuse to seat Florida's delegation because it held an earlier than permitted primary. Clinton - with all the Democratic nominees on the ballot - won the state by a 17-percent margin.

State party leaders and the DNC have been under tremendous pressure to solve the problem or face the reality that to ignore Florida would be playing into the hands of the Republicans and possibly pave the way for a GOP victory in November. Florida - the fourth largest state in the nation -- has 27 electoral votes, and is considered a swing state.

The joint communiqué came just days before Florida's Democratic leaders head to Orlando where on April 5 - in accordance with results of the Jan 29 primary - they will choose another 24 delegates from PLEOs (party leaders and elected officials). That will mean 14 more delegates for Clinton and 10 for Obama, the state party in Tallahassee explained, based on the statewide vote. Earlier the state party had selected delegates by Congressional District and on May 17 will add more delegates in Tampa so that there is sufficient representation of women, men, seniors, gays and other minorities - "a normal procedure in Democratic politics."

"As promised, we now know we will be seated," said Democratic National Committeewoman Diane Glasser of Tamarac, a super-delegate.

Wednesday's communiqué made no mention of a proposal which would be a face-saving device - authorized under party rules--which would withhold one half of the delegates when a state (like Florida or Michigan) holds a primary earlier than allowed by party mandate. One Florida super-delegate John Ausman of Tallahassee, a DNC member, has suggested seating all 211 Florida delegates and giving each one-half vote (instead of a full vote).. But, even that proposal is getting booed, by both Obama and Clinton supporters..

Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton -- who handily won the Florida primary in January -- have been asking that all delegates be given their rightful full vote at the August 25-28 convention in Denver. Supporters of Sen. Obama have said Florida broke party rules and its vote should not count.

Republican strategists have been saying quietly that the delegate controversy has been a blessing for their apparent standard bearer Sen. John McCain.

Democrats, meanwhile, have been looking for a solution, even one which may not make all parties happy. Ann Zucker, a delegate-elect and President of the Democratic clubs of Broward County, said "Who would possibly think that loyal Democrats would be overlooked in selecting the party's nominee?"

The Washington communiqué - hoping the two candidates will allow for a resolution -- came on the heels of last weekend's widely reported Palm Beach county rally and petition drive, which organizers hoped would ignite a nationwide grassroots movement in support of Sunshine State Democrats. At the same time, a number officials said they would take the situation all the way to a convention if necessary "for a floor fight to get us seated" Several legislators and party activists who attended the rally said the DNC better realize "quickly" that 1.7 million Florida Democrats made known their preference.

"To ignore Florida, would be unthinkable,": said Justin Flippen, president of the Dolphin Democrats, headquartered in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Michigan has a similar problem (it, too, had an earlier than mandated primary). but the latest gesture toward delegate seating was only directed at Florida.

If the DNC and the candidates would agree to the newest Florida proposal ( ½ vote per delegate), Clinton would get an edge of about 19 first-ballot committed delegates, based on her lopsided victory in the Jan 29 primary. However, that solution may not satisfy everyone. There are also 25 Florida super-delegates, out of some 800 party insiders nationally, who get to vote. Some insiders say Clinton has an edge there, too.

Insiders say that the l/2 vote solution would have no effect on the overall delegate count nationally (even if accepted by Obama and Clinton) as it stands today. Votes in Pennsylvania, Indiana and North Carolina as well as other states in May and June may be more significant.

Comments

[nypoet22]

having lived here nigh on four years, i can say with complete conviction that florida is the most backward, corrupt and infuriating state in which i have ever set foot. the government is like a chain of banana republics that can't even do corruption right.

[kato1]

The DNC warned both Florida and Michigan of the consequences of moving the dates. They knew what would happen and all the candidates agreed to abide by the DNC decision. It's tough but that's life. Now the waffling, hand wringing and gnashing of teeth!

[Yurdelite]

New Democratic mantra:

Break the rules, receive the punishment, and decide the winner of the game.

What about the thousands of others who did not cast a vote because it did not count? No matter, the Clintons do not need you. Besides only the big states matter anyway...

As a Florida voter, I am completely disgusted with this party, its hidden racism, and its blatant disregard for its own rules. Just because one person who did not have a problem until after several losses decided she needed those votes and super delegates has forced the DNC cronies to give in.

If Florida and Michigan decide this nomination, then the Democratic Party can forget the election. Hillary and Bill Clinton will not win in November and she will not win in 2012 if that is her strategy. No wonder she says it takes a Clinton to clean up after a Bush. The politics of deception continue..­.How low can you go Hillary and Bill?

[harriscrl3]

I'm hoping that Obama increases his lead in all other areas that it doesnt matter and then they can seat them as far as they would have been apportioned based on votes.

Carol

[MaineMike]

I think that the Florida pledged delegates should be seated based on the Florida vote, but only given 1/2 of a vote each.

I think that the Florida super delegates should not be seated at all. The Florida super delegates are the people that were there in Florida watching this mess unfold! Why didn't they do anything about it in advance? The "penalty" for the Florida mess should weigh more heavily on the super delegates.

[Yurdelite]

"Why didn't they do anything about it in advance?"

Because Hillary and Bill Clinton were supposed to have won by Super Tuesday. At the time the punishment was meted out, they did not think Florida or Michigan was needed. She did not start this mess until after she and Bill got waxed in South Carolina. As late as February she was saying the votes would not count.

I ask you, if you really think after pulling this and the other things they have done, they can be trusted in the White House again? I know my eyes have been opened wide. Thanks Hillary and Bill Clinton.

[pithymaxim]

Obama split the FL delegates to give Clinton a 6 to 8 delegate advantage. Just my feeling.

[Teritt]

If the Democratic Party REALLY had LEADERSHIP - those LEADERS would decide! To use an analogy,you have a set of parents and two siblings. The parents make rules AND enforce the rules. Telling these campaigns to chose what to do is like giving free reign to the teenagers to pick their own punishment when they broke the rules. It's silly.

My solution for MI is easy. Those voters had Hillary's name on the ballot. Give her the percentage of votes that actually chose her, and give Obama the remaining votes based on the voters that would choose anyone but her.

FL (where I live) has to be more difficult (of course). They could do what the Republicans agreed to and give half a vote per delegate. I honestly think they should split it 50/50. Hillary had all of the name recognition, no one was allowed to actively campaign, and they both agreed the votes wouldn't count. She should not be given an advantage based on the rules and the circumstances of everyone being told it was a beauty pageant and their votes wouldn't count. No one has a crystal ball - we don't know if more voters would have registered or shown up.

[OrcinusOrca]

1/2 a vote for both pledged and super delegates from Florida and Michigan, counting the pledged delegates from Florida as the vote went and from Michigan by a 50/50 count. That's what it will come down to. Small win for Clinton that Obama can live with because it won't affect the outcome of the race. And now I go to cast my lottery ticket ;-)

[deminohio]

There are only two solutions that Hillary will accept: sit 'em as they voted or revote them. Obama needs to get out ahead of this and offer everything short of those two solutions, because neither is rational. This is such a joke, it is beyond me why the DNC and the Florida Democratic Party are being such pansies about this. It is horrible that this needs to be dumped into the laps of candidates fighting a primary battle.

[marthlois]

IT'S NOT about the delegates in Florida. It is clearly about the super deledgates (of which Florida has a lot). Yet another way of disguising what a disgusting situation this is. It people don't step up to realize
the power of the many Florida delegates! OH S.....! WHY FLORIDA ALL THE TIME? Get it
together, stop your whining. But, most importantly, do not give superdelegates inequitable votes!!!!!!!!!!
Wake up everyone.

[nazirmo]

As far as I am concerned the only right thing to do is a revote in Michigan and Florida. Any other solution to this is absolutely crazy.

[StandingStill]

How is a re-vote fair? Especially when you have Republicans voting for Hillary by the hundreds of thousands just to upset our primary? And what happened to consequences? You break the rules you live with the punishment, period! I'm mean, my goodness where were these people raised, in a barn? If we could have re-do's in politics we would NOT have that retard, W, in office now. I'm not worried about a FAIR vote in Florida and especially Michigan for Sen. Obama, the way the delegates are proportioned, he'd probably come out ahead. But this is really ridiculous, we have rules for a reason and if we don't abide by them then we live in CHAOS!

[ChiGuy]

Hillary agreed to the sanctions the DNC laid out against Florida and Michigan until it became apparent that her inevitability was disappearing before her very eyes.
Now, she wants to change the rules.

Fight it like HELL, Obama.

The ONLY fair solutions would be a 50/50 split or a re-vote.

[CoachDWhip]

Due to moving the primary against Democratic party rules, Florida was sanctioned with the loss of delegates in the 2008 primary election. All Democratic Party candidates agreed to rules not to campaign in Florida. Hillary Clinton campaigned for Florida on weeklong news interviews the week of the vote. She held a fundraiser in Florida the week of the primary. She flew to Florida and gave a speech asking that the delegates be seated the night of the election.

No other candidates broke their pledge. Hillary has continued to beat this drum and make it an issue. She is why every one is up in arms.

Howard Dean is a total failure as a party leader. Should he seat these delegates and it effects the outcome, giving the Clinton the race, it will end the Democratic Party as we know it. Informed voters, unlike the Ohio River Valley Dolts who vote for Clinton, know what is up. John McCain will beat her by 10 points in a general election. Richard Nixon could arise from the dead and beat her, she will so energize the base. This coupled with the Dean failures and disenfranchisement of millions of Obama voters, should she be the nominee, equals a massive McCain Victory.

[ChiGuy]

I'm 100% with you, Coach.

(One note: She actually held 3 rallies disguised as "fundraisers" the week before the primary.)

[KDH]

Obama had national ads that were aired there. He also was in FL on a fund raiser. When leaving that fund raiser, he walked across the street to talk to the press. A member of the press had to remind him, that talking to the press in FL was against the rules. So to say Hillary was the only candidate with a presence there, is wrong.

[patriotscholar]

I heard six fund raisers.

[patriotscholar]

I lived in Florida for many years, moving out in 2005. I can tell you there are many people down there that did not vote. Hillary promised her supporters that their vote would count. Supporters of the other candidates may not have received that same message. That's not right.

[hubbstan]

why Obama local supporters in FL not speaking out?

[hubbstan]

I am so disappointed that DNC leaders backed down and leave all the fight to Obama who afterall was following the rules DNC set! Spineless. DNC leader could have all other states speaking out - 48 of the 50 followed the rule and silent now to give way to the 2 states that breaking the rule? The Party is joke. Time for a new majority party.

[Titonwan]

Boy, I've heard some dingers in my time, but for someone to say they voted "in good faith" in Florida, knowing it wouldn't count is about ignorant. Then blaming those that didn't go to vote (knowing it wouldn't count). What the f-ck?? I think the sun down there has fried your noggin.

[YRM]

"The support of both campaigns?" How did this become a criteria for allocating delegates? It empowers the loser to call the shots, effectively disenfranchising the voters of Michigan and Florida. It's evident that if Clinton had lost both states,"the support of both campaigns" would be considered a laughable proposition by the DNC rules committee and the media. In fact, if the deck gets any more stacked against her, the boat will be standing up vertically in the water. For more on how this election is being manipulated, I've posted an article at thecityedition.com. Here's a http://www.thecityedition.com/ition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2008Election.html

[ChiGuy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the "stacked deck" analogy refers to a rigged deck of cards, not the deck of a boat.

[peorgietirebiter]

YRM - well, what do you consider fair criteria for elections where one state's ballot only offered one candidate and the electorate in both states had been told their votes wouldn't count?
You know, as in be sure to rearrange your schedule, take time off work and stand in line to take a survey! When HRC is basing her "dead heat" theory on disenfranchising all caucus states and all the smaller states you've got a lot of sand to peddle this. And ChiGuy is quite correct, for any boat to have multiple decks they would be by necessity have to be stacked - but false analogies, false memories & fuzzy math are pretty the "stock & trade" for camp clinton.

[grannysharp]

At the time of the Florida vote, I thought Clinton, Edwards, and Obama agreed not to honor the Florida early election and if I remember correctly Clinton went to Floria before the election and the other 2 didn't, so no wonder she wants to be sure that it was worth her effort to go.