NYT: Results in Florida expected to be "more important for Democrats than assumed"

[Proud2BAmurkin]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/us/politics/27florida.html?ei=5065&en=d08febe14b8109fb&ex=1202014800&adxnnl=1&partner=MYWAY&adxnnlx=1201378149-o9OnLMqM7eDf6IOW78cYYQ&pagewanted=print

The level of interest, if it is matched by turnout at the polls on Tuesday, could make the results in Florida more important for Democrats than they had assumed, given both the absence of candidates here and the fact that no delegates are at stake. The Democratic National Committee penalized Florida for holding its primary too early, saying it would not seat its delegates.

“There is a race going on,” said Karen Thurman, the chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, who has been urging Floridians to defy the national party and vote. “And there will still be a headline: ‘So-and-so has won Florida.’ ”

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. To Ignore The Fourth And (Soon) To Be The Third Most Populous State In The Union Is Stupid

Do people realize FL will soon pass NY in population and Electoral College Votes?

[Yael]

2. Did the Florida Democratic Party pay attention to that?

Lay the blame where it is due.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. If You Think The Soon To Be Third Largest State In The Nation Should Be Ignored That's Your

Prerogative...

The legislature is controlled by the Republicans...They set the primary date...

[Yael]

5. I didn't say that. The Democrats didn't have to follow the (R) suit, they chose to.

[madfloridian]

6. OH, NO.....I will not let you get away with that.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1459

"House Republicans and Democrats passed the earlier primary bill (HB 537) by a 115-1 vote - a challenge to the national parties that are wielding threats in an attempt to prevent a nationwide race for earlier and earlier primaries.

.."Florida lawmakers believe the state's demographic and political diversity merit a greater say in the selection of nominees. They're tired of candidates treating the fourth-largest state as a fundraising ATM, only to take the money to campaign in small states like Iowa and New Hampshire. And they say they are willing to call the bluffs of the national parties, which have threatened to take away delegates the state parties send to the nominating conventions. National Democratic Party rules could even punish candidates who campaign in states that move their primaries earlier than Feb. 5 by essentially not recognizing the state's delegates.

"The state can move its primary date but there are automatic sanctions," said Luis Miranda, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. "The rules have been adopted and we will enforce the rules."

IF you want more I have it.

[madfloridian]

4. The Florida Democrats have been arrogant, and blamed all but themselves.

They were willing to use the media and the Florida bloggers to ridicule the party chairman and lie to the people here.

They have had no conscience in this fiasco.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

7. maybe but none of that matters to regular voters

[madfloridian]

8. If they never learn the truth....you would be right.

If the Florida bloggers get off their duffs and start pushing the media here to tell the truth then the people would be irate.

The Florida Democrats do not know what happened.

[robbedvoter]

9. It will be the last news before Super Tuesday.

[JackORoses]

10. Florida will not count. If you base Hillary's candidacy on this, you will lose.

[2rth2pwr]

11. Can we say "Disenfranchisement"? nt

[madfloridian]

12. No, because that means the vote does not count at all.

It is just that we don't get to choose the nominee.

[2rth2pwr]

13. But if they vote it won't be counted towards the candidates

in the primary election, that is disenfranchisement.

[Occam Bandage]

14. Yes. Self-disenfranchisement.