And with his pushiness in taking such a big lead on the mail in vote. It appears he did not talk it over with others before he jumped in with both feet to take over.
Nelson's stamp on mail-in vote riles colleaguesHe really has been been taking over on this issue. When I heard that the nine in the Florida House delegation were against it, I wondered what was going on.
WASHINGTON — Amid intense national attention over Florida's Democratic National Convention delegates, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has become the face of the state's Democratic Party. But his appearances in the press, particularly on cable television, have rubbed some Democrats the wrong way. Nelson and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings led Florida Democrats in opposing the Democratic National Committee's plan to strip the state of its convention delegates because of its early primary. But he found himself at odds last week with the state's nine Democratic House members over plans for a mail-in primary.
The House members, who include supporters of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as well as uncommitted members, issued a unanimous statement opposing the mail-in plan after a tense meeting Tuesday night between Nelson and the other Florida Democrats in Congress. Nelson shot back the next day with his own statement, outlining why he thinks the mail-in plan is the most practical option-but reiterating his bottom line position: that Florida's convention delegation must be seated.
Throughout the controversy, Nelson has maintained adamantly that his stand is not motivated by his support for Clinton, who won Florida's uncontested primary, but out of his desire to make sure that Florida's voice is heard at the convention.
Some are really unhappy with the role he has played. I wondered if there were some problems. In Florida it is hard to tell what is going on because everyone is going off in their own direction.
The exchanges "spoke volumes about Sen. Nelson," said a Democratic congressional staffer who asked not to be identified. "He engaged in free-wheeling, self-dealing behavior and got caught with his pants down. He told the press that he had a done deal on a new Florida vote without even talking to any members of the Florida delegation, and in fact, the entire Florida delegation was opposed to him.
"He tried to do something on his own, and it blew up in his face," the staffer said. "I think right now there is significant resentment against him by the other Florida Democrats on the Hill."
The article quotes some staffers who say he has never been that inclusive and never reached out much to others.
They further said "He always flies solo. It's not a warm relationship between the House Democrats and Senator Nelson."
I have also wondered if he spoke out too soon when he said there would
be no caucus.I wish they did not quote staffers who were not named, but I feel like he did take a big leap ahead of the others.