More Florida shenanigans and more insults to Dean from that state.

[madfloridian]

FL Dem leader Gelber wants a do-over. Nelson says no. Senator Geller says Dean is Cartman. Weird FL stuff.

Here are some more shenanigans from Florida.

Florida House Democratic leader wants a do-over

"Dan Gelber, the state House Democratic leader who played a big role in Florida Democrats getting into their mess with a boycotted, delegate-free primary, now offers a solution on his campaign blog: a vote by-mail election. Last we heard, the FDP priced that out to cost at least $4-million (assuming a mailing to every Democratic house hold - though Gelber would invite indendents too). Gelber:

"...So let me suggest a way that not only gets us out of the jam but might even turn out to be better than we could ever hope for. Host a run-off election by mail and include Independent voters. The DNC has already indicated it would approve a compliant election, and a statewide vote by mail should qualify. It is less expensive than caucuses and more inclusive, and I think we could raise the money needed in short order, perhaps with some help from the DNC. Further, why not include registered Independent voters in the election. I promise you, Republicans will quickly stop laughing when they watch Florida Democrats not simply unite but also reach out to the crucial block of voters (Independents) that will be determining who wins Florida in November. Also, a vote by mail would be an invaluable organizing tool for the general election so the money we spent would have added utility. "

Sorry, Dan, the big boss Bill Nelson says no. Well, not just no, but "absolutely no."

Absolutely Not

But then we caught up with Bill Nelson today: "Absolutely not," he said when asked if caucuses might be a good idea. "It’s a huge cost."

Nelson, a Clinton backer, remains confident Florida’s delegates will be seated, though he said Howard Dean keeps insisting he’s powerless to make it happen. "It hasn’t sunk into their their thick heads, the chairman and the DNC, the train wreck that’s about to come if we don’t get those delegations seated."

In the unlikely scenario where the Florida and Michigan delegations would hand the nomination to Hillary Clinton, why in the world would Barack Obama support seating those delegations, we wondered. "Are you going to strong arm Florida and Michigan in order to get the nomination, knowing you’d have very little chance of winning those states on Nov. 4?," Nelson said.

And the leader of the Florida Democrats in the Senate is still ridiculing the party chairman. He compares Howard Dean to the South Park bully.

Dean as Cartman

For Steve Geller, the mention of Howard Dean brings to mind Eric Cartman, one of South Park’s colorful cartoon characters who is known for his bullying ways.

In one famous episode Cartman became school hall monitor, bossing around his friends and repeatedly saying, “You will respect my authori-tie.”

Geller, the state Senate’s Democratic leader from Cooper City, thinks Dean and his top staffers have taken on some of Cartman’s persona in their leadership of the Democratic National Committee.

“They are so full of themselves,” Geller said Wednesday. "They think their rules are all that matter. It’s like the DNC is wearing a t-shirt that says, ‘You will respect my authority.’”

Geller's anger at the national party apparatus hit another peak this week, so he sent a letter to hundreds of Democratic activists and Dean again making the case for Florida’s delegates to be seated at the Democratic National Convention in Colorado.

Geller's letter is expected to be posted online shortly. Can't wait to read it.

Steve Geller truly believes he is funny. He thought he was funny when he said he would sue IA, NH, NV, and SC as "rogue" states. He also said Florida Democrats might be thought of as the "gang who can't shoot straight."

Geller says Dean not welcome and calls first 4 states rogue states.

WEST PALM BEACH — Florida Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller called Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina "terrorist rogue states" and said he's contemplating a lawsuit against them for pressuring Democratic presidential candidates to boycott Florida

TALLAHASSEE - The battle raging between Florida Democrats and their national leaders over the state's primary date is already costing the party money and grassroots support — but now some worry it will cost votes that could be crucial if the 2008 presidential contest is a squeaker.

"It's reinforcing the image of the gang that can't shoot straight," said state Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller of Cooper City.

It is really a sad situation here. It's not really funny, never was.

[madfloridian]

1. I forgot to mention the button Geller is wearing at the FL convention...

says Size Does Matter.

[madfloridian]

2. Florida's tactics of humiliation against the DNC and Dean...

Will someday be seen by many more people for its utter obscenity. It has hurt a lot of people.

There is a difference between advocating for one's state, and using Republican tactics against your own party leadership.

The delegates should not be counted toward the nominee. I hope to God that the everyone in the party leadership (it does not just fall to Dean) will play their proper role. If they do, the process will work. There must be rules.

Here is more about Dan Gelber saying it was not the Florida Democrats' fault, and Adam Smith calling him on it.

"Gelber: Don't blame FL Dems for delegate loss
The House Democratic leader, continuing his push for a new, vote-by-mail primary, on his new blog repeats the Democratic argument (scoffed at by the DNC) that they were helpless to stop Republicans from moving the primary to Jan. 29. He even includes audio of David Rivera laughing at the Democrats' amendment to shift the date to Feb. 5.

Yeh, well the DNC has the transcript and audio as well. And Gelber himself admitted that they did not even try to fight the GOP

More from Adam:

What we wonder, though, is what would have happened if Florida Democrats opposed the early primary from the start, rather than waiting until the last minute. Instead of cheerleading the idea of an early primary violating the national party rules and brushing off Howard Dean, who knows if the new governor stressing bi-partisanship would have been keen on rolling Democrats.

The only thing that's certain in hinsight is FL Republicans had a HUGE role in deciding the nominee 1/29 and FL Democrats would had a far bigger role if the primary had stayed in March.

[GumboYaYa]

3. What a jerk!!!!

Now I definitely don't want the FL dlegates to have a vote, just to spite that jerk.

[madfloridian]

4. He's definitely a big reason I am so upset. Trouble is there are more...

like him.

[UALRBSofL]

6. You really take him serious?

Thurman is the chair and she ultimately has the say so, and I'm not worried about this because she and Dean will do what's best for the party.

[madfloridian]

7. I take seriously any Democrat who uses those tactics.

They are just wrong. They should never have acted that way, and it is time people stopped accepting such behavior from their leaders here.

Karen Thurman is just as determined the delegates will count, but she is not quite as insulting toward Dean.

I am just fed up.

Time for Geller and others like him to stop being so dismissive of party rules, and to stop using such ugly tactics.

[Debi]

5. It's not the voters fault - don't blame them

Blame the jack-ass party leaders and elected officials.

The voters got stuck in the middle because of egos like his!

[madfloridian]

8. I don't think Gumbo was blaming voters. Just disgusted with such behavior.

It's sad to see it keep on.

[Debi]

9. Okay, sorry - I'd just like to see the voters treated fairly and the jerks who caused

this left at hime. Make them NOT COUNT and let the delegates go to Denver.

[madfloridian]

10. That would suit me...I don't care if they go there. Just don't let them count.

I really think the behavior by Florida Democrats has been just nuts. Their attitudes are awful. Nelson and Geller are about the worst. I hear Gelber has at least talked to Dean. Thurman seems caught in the middle of really her own doing in letting Nelson, Hastings, and the rest of the Hillary superdelegates control things so much.

I feel sorry for all involved.

[madfloridian]

11. Still waiting to see Geller's letter he sent around to large groups.

I would love to see his propaganda he has spread.

[madfloridian]

13. Still haven't seen Geller's letter that went out. Still looking.

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

12. Update: North FL Dem changes to GOP. Quietly...very quietly.

And he manages to show the meme that Dems in Florida are using constantly now. It is Dean's fault.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/12246

State Attorney Steve Meadows confirmed Wednesday he has changed his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in anticipation of a tough re-election campaign.

Meadows said he changed his party affiliation in a quiet visit to the Bay County Supervisor of Elections Office on Tuesday. Neither his campaign nor the 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s office made any announcement of the shift, and Meadows himself only conceded the change when contacted by The News Herald on Wednesday afternoon.

“I was trying to do this with little fanfare,” Meadows said. “I did this because my personal philosophy is that of a conservative, and I most closely identify myself with Republican candidates like (former Florida House Speaker) Allan Bense rather than Democratic candidates like (2004 presidential candidate) Howard Dean.”

I have often said Florida Democrats are very confused about their indentity. They have switched parties so long back and forth...they don't know what they stand for.

Now thanks to their working with the GOP to change the primary...they have a very convenient scapegoat. They never tire of the insults. They just keep on.