Editorial: DNC’s foolish slighting of Florida

[William769]

ST. PETE TIMES EDITORIAL

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Democratic National Committee's message to more than 4-million Florida Democrats couldn't be clearer: You don't count.

The refusal by national Democrats over the weekend to recognize the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary and seat any Florida delegates to the national convention is foolish and small-minded. In rigidly enforcing rules regarding a primary schedule that already is a mess, they lost sight of larger goals - such as selecting a nominee for president who has been tested in a large, ethnically diverse state and laying the groundwork for the general election.

There is no easy response to such narrow thinking. The Republican-controlled Legislature is not about to move the primary back to Feb. 5, which is where it should have stayed. Holding some sort of Democratic caucus, the solution urged by national Democrats, would be absurd. This isn't Iowa, where the overrated caucuses draw far fewer Democrats than there are in Pinellas County alone.

The situation is further complicated by the constitutional amendment on property taxes that will be on the Jan. 29 ballot. This is an incredibly important issue that will have long-term ramifications for the state's future. Independent voters already were at a disadvantage, because they can't vote in the presidential primaries and will have one less reason to go to the polls. If Democrats conclude there is no reason to vote in their primary, they also might be less inclined to take the trouble to vote on a single amendment. Deciding the fate of the property tax amendment in an election where the turnout may be lower than expected and less reflective than normal of the overall electorate would not be in the state's best interest.

http://www.fladems.com/content/w/editorial_dncs_foolish_slighting_of_florida

[Kagemusha]

1. So this is all because a property tax vote is more important than the national party?

That's so... ...pathetic.

And no matter who I talk to, it seems to always be the case that the DNC picked a fight with Florida, not the other way around. Just underlines (edit) how little respect is expected to go both ways here.

[iamjoy]

4. Doesn't Matter Who Is At Fault

The more I hear, the more this sounds like a poorly devised scheme by the Florida Democratic Party and some of our Democratic state lawmakers. However, that still doesn't make it right to deliberately take away the rights of the people to have their votes counted.

It's time for some creative thinking, time to come up with a solution that would allow the DNC to save face and to appropriately sanction the correct people while protecting the innocent bystanders.

[Kagemusha]

6. Takes two to do the compromise tango...

Florida's Democratic Party seems intent on making Dean kneel and kiss its feet and publicly tear at his clothes and beg for forgiveness for daring to offend the great state of Florida.

How's creative thinking going to help in the face of that?

[Robbien]

2. The Florida GOP sure is getting its money's worth by moving the primary

All the anti-DNC headlines is worth their weight in gold for the GOP controlled Florida legislature.

[madfloridian]

3. Yes, that is the newest talking point. The GOP tax bill.

They can't take time to explain it so they will attack Dean for it.

Sounds like they are doing some reverse spinning here...are they backing down or changing the subject to taxes?

Come on, Florida, where's the damn lawsuit? Let's get it all out in the open.

The Bill Nelson Florida party v the rest of us.

[William769]

5. And all major Presidential candidates will be in the debate here on Sept 9th.

So much for "The Bill Nelson Florida party v the rest of us." :eyes:

[madfloridian]

7. Yes, they will all be here. The votes do count after all, don't they.

And the delegates in the end won't matter because the nominee will make it all better. Florida does get to vote.

[William769]

10. Not if Dean has his way.

What happened to Bill Nelson's Florida?

[madfloridian]

12. You don't really understand, do you?

But that's ok.

[William769]

13. Yes I do.

I also understand your blind allegiance to Dean.

[madfloridian]

14. No, that is a talking point used here against me when I speak truth.

And it is sad and childish. I have no blind loyalty to anything but honesty....and it is short supply.

Any lawsuits filed will bring out Florida's complicity.

[YOY]

15. Jeeze, just ignore him

He actually accused someone else of having blind alleigances.

and he used the trademark eye-rolling-a-legimate-concern.

He's not worth it.

[Skink]

8. Del Boca Vista gate.

[PurityOfEssence]

9. Nobody benefits more from this than Hillary Clinton, your candidate.

Is there a connection here?

[William769]

11. The other major candidates would dissagree with you.

But then again if that were true, then it could be said this is why some people are fighting it so hard.