www.sptimes.com/2007/06/13/State/Florida_primary_will_.shtml
Politics Florida primary will not count, Dean warns By ADAM C SMITH Published June 13, 2007 ADVERTISEMENT Sure, Florida is America's biggest political swing state. But don't expect the national Democratic Party to back off punishing Sunshine State Democrats for scheduling an early presidential primary. "Their primary essentially won't count, " Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said of Florida. "Anybody who campaigns in Florida is ineligible for delegates." His comments in New Hampshire were his first public response since Florida Democratic leaders decided Sunday to go ahead and set their presidential primary for Jan. Because the DNC bars all but a handful of states from scheduling an election earlier than Feb. Instead, there's a faceoff that has Democratic presidential campaigns uncertain about how to proceed. Some Democrats worry that if their candidates don't campaign hard early on Republicans would have a big leg up toward winning Florida's 27 electoral votes. "This thing could be a total mess unless we find a way out of this, a compromise, " said Sen. The rules, unanimously passed in 2006 by nearly 450 Democratic party activists across the country - including Florida - are clear and leave little or no leeway for Dean to waive them: Any state that violates the schedule set by the DNC loses half its delegates to the national nominating convention and any candidate who campaigns in that state will forfeit all delegates from that state. Translation: National leaders of the "count every vote" party are refusing to count the votes of Florida, where the term "disenfranchised voters" became a rallying cry in 2000. The presidential campaigns have tried to stay on the sidelines, but to date only Dennis Kucinich and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been unambiguous in promising that they will campaign aggressively in Florida no matter what. What are the prospects the committee will approve that plan and waive any penalties against the state? "None, " predicted former state Democratic chairwoman Terrie Brady, a DNC member from Jacksonville. Ultimately, though, state Democrats hope the eventual Democratic nominee, who controls what happens at the convention, will make sure Florida's delegates count. The nominee can't afford to antagonize key activists in a swing state with 27 electoral votes. "I'm a candidate that's just about to be nominated, and I'm not going to seat Florida at the Democratic National Convention with a full delegation?"
Fast Facts: Primary schedule The Democratic primary schedule is still evolving but here's the current, tentative schedule. Michigan: The party chairman, Mark Brewer, reiterated Tuesday that Michigan Democrats plan to move their presidential caucuses to an earlier date if Florida sticks with Jan.
Comments on this article by edna 03/06/08 05:30 PM Shame on governor Crist for trying to interfer with the Democrats election. Trying to get Clinton in so she will be easier for McCain (McBush) to beat. by Lori 03/06/08 11:04 AM I believe Florida's Primary should count, and give Hilary Clinton whats rightfully hers. by KELLI 03/06/08 03:01 AM DONT BLAME HOWARD DEAN HE DIDNT SET THE RULES HE JUST HAPPENS TO BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE IN ENFORCING THEM. AND JUMPING PARTIES IS GIVING THE REPUBLICANS JUST WHAT THEY WANTED A SPLIT DEMOCRAT PARTY, WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET THIER GUY ELECTED IN 2008 by KELLI 03/06/08 02:41 AM THE CONSTANT BICKERING BETWEEN THE PARTIES IS THE PROBLEM. THE POEPLE OF FL SHOULD REMEMBER THIS AT ELECTION TIME AND VOTE IN STATE LEADERS WHO CARE ABOUT RIGHTS by James 03/03/08 07:03 PM As a Democrat I now find the party Un-American by not allowing my vote to count. Time also to change to an Independent party since it is evident the Democratic party is damaged. I think the people of Florida have the right to be counted. by Maxi 02/22/08 03:16 PM Every morning I put my flag out because I am proud to be an American. Since I found out that my vote won't count, I feel that my American right was taken away, and I no longer fly the American flag. by Alex 02/20/08 04:54 PM I demand that my vote be counted. The Rep Party knew Clinton would win this and they know they'll beat Obama. by Robertt 02/19/08 02:24 PM This is absolutely ridiculous and I personally resent the fact that my efforts to vote will not count. by Michele 02/14/08 08:40 PM So what will we have to do now, move to another state just to vote! by Clifton 02/13/08 07:43 PM How can the democratic people be represented by the Florida Republicans. So now the Florida Democrats are getting penalized for this. If my vote does not count how can anybody else's vote count. by Susan 02/11/08 07:13 PM What is the point of living in the United States if my Constitutional Right of voting is taken away? Florida's vote should be counted unless you think it is right for politicians to buy votes or manipulate the Americans' voting rights. by michelle 02/11/08 07:11 PM How come you took away the rights of the democratic voters in Florida? I do not see why my constitutional right of voting was taken away because of an early presidential primary. by Rochelle 02/08/08 05:22 PM I blame the MI Democratic party for not following the rules, which eventually led to my disenfranchisement in MI Now, Clinton is claiming victory. Please let the Dem delegates be free to choose any candidate and not be Clinton bound by Phaire 02/07/08 12:15 AM If Hillary loses to Obama as a result of this, then the primary was unfair. by Mel 02/05/08 07:45 PM I'm a newly registered Democrat voting in the Florida primary. by Nadine 01/31/08 04:49 PM I am a registered Democrat and I back Barack Obama. I expect the party to stick to its' original decision regarding Fla and Mich. by Charlie 01/30/08 05:02 PM Is the DNC trying to get present Dems to change to Republican or Independent? I'm a life long democrat but if the DNC does not allow the delegates to be distributed to the candidates after Feb 29th primary. Charlie by Jim 01/30/08 08:32 AM Florida, you voted and it counts to the people of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Come on states, take our country back from these committies and the federal government. by Martin 01/29/08 06:29 PM If your voting for your least liked republican what does that do for you? vote for the best republican candidate RON PAUL dont be blind. Who gave the NDC the right to tell Floridians or any other State, when they can have their primaries. Voting is a right that thosands of Americans have died for. This stupit dean person is showing about as much sence as Bush. by Samantha 01/29/08 03:58 PM I just became a new resident from California - what are the DEMS doing - As a new registered Dem -- Independent is looking even better! by robert 01/29/08 11:41 AM I think dean is overstepping his bounds. The politicians are supposed to listen to the people not the other way. Its time to get rid of the old time politicians who were only interested in their party and not the will of the people. by Kai 01/28/08 11:43 PM It seems unfair that I do not get my vote in because I am a resident of Florida, doesnt that break the isential meaning of a country governed for the peopl By the People? Dems, how are you going to let the Reps outsmart you like this. by Justin 01/28/08 03:00 PM I think this a well calculated conspiracy. Obama would probably have won the state and much of their delegates over Hillary. by bob 01/27/08 04:31 PM Who cares what that wacko Deans sayes. Both major partys are a joke anyway by Edward 01/27/08 12:16 PM I feel it is nconstituional that I am not allow to vote in the FL demacratic primary and make my vote count. by Raine 01/26/08 10:26 PM It's odd how this page mentions nothing about Gov. by Carol 01/26/08 07:31 PM Moved to Florida 10 years ago. by Dee 01/24/08 10:21 PM what we can do as democrats though is switch parties and vote against the Republican we least like and then switch back for the Nov. Lastly, the RNC wants Hillary to be the nominee for Prez because a woman is less likely to become the Commander-in Chief than an African-American. com by Freedom 01/21/08 01:54 PM The problem is that politicians are not supposed to have power over us013 we019r...
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