by Tamara Lytle
Florida Democratic Party chair Karen Thurman is asking party members to let her know what they think of a Florida presidential primary do-over with mail-in voting.
She didn't have to wait long for an answer: Florida's nine Democrats in the U.S. House say they still don't like the idea.
Here's their statement:
“We thank and applaud our State Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman and her staff for their tireless work on this issue. We know that they have only the best of intentions in proposing this plan and appreciate the opportunity to respond to the proposal.
"After reviewing the party’s proposal and individually discussing this idea with state and local leaders and elections experts, we do not believe that this is a realistic option at this time and remain opposed to a mail-in ballot election or any new primary election in Florida of any kind.
“We are committed to working with the DNC, the Florida State Democratic Party, our Democratic leaders in Florida, and our two candidates to reach an expedited solution that ensures the seating of our full delegation in August.”
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Comments
If Florida's election laws are preventing a realistic fix to the problem, then it's high time for Florida's legislature and Governor to get off their butts and change the laws to accommodate a re-do on the Democrat primary. If not, there will be hell to pay in both the legislature and the D.N.C. for mutually scripting this foul up, and then doing nothing to fix it.
Posted by: John W. | March 13, 2008 5:26 PM
Another victory for the Obama camp. The longer this drags on, the more improbable a re-vote. The more improbable a re-vote, the more likelihood Obama winds up with the most elected delegates. And with the Clinton camp continuing to have to back track on BIG mistakes by people like Ferraro and with Spitzer-gate reminding them of Bill's past deeds, the more unappealing Hillary and Bill appear to the party leadership.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | March 13, 2008 5:40 PM
"If Florida's election laws are preventing a realistic fix to the problem, then it's high time for Florida's legislature and Governor to get off their butts and change the laws to accommodate a re-do...."
Bear in mind that it was the GOP-controlled FL legislature & GOP-controlled FL state house that created the situation to begin with. Crist's damn-little-&-wayyyy-too-late crocodile tears don't ring true at all, given the fact that he was one of the major players who created the impasse.
His motivation in recommending that the existing primary's results be counted should be obvious. Sure, it *sounds* on the surface like "the populist thing to do," but the agenda is Republican-oriented from the bottom up. He *&* the rest of the GOP would *very* much prefer that they have Hillary to face in the general election than Obama.
Posted by: Bill Nichols | March 13, 2008 6:24 PM
If my vote in Florida doesn't count toward primary I will not vote in general election. It's ridiculous.
Posted by: Goran Bajramovic | March 13, 2008 6:27 PM
GB,
Smart, cut off your nose to spite your face.
Get ready for 8 more years of McBush.
Blame your own state's actions.
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | March 13, 2008 7:08 PM
Maybe Karen Thurman should listen to the voters of Florida instead of the politicians. She did not have the right to change the primary and throw away our votes!!!
Posted by: Scott Gonzalez | March 13, 2008 9:18 PM
To allow Florida and Michigan to re-do their votes is a reward. Both States illegally tried to get more clout in the election process, so allowing them to now be the decisive primaries is wrong. Split the delegates evenly. That allows one of the two candidates to reach the 2025 needed by August, but doesn't give Florida or Michigan the clout they so illegally sought.
I live in Florida and I was for Edwards. I see this proposal as the only fair thing to do.
Posted by: Marie in Florida | March 13, 2008 9:35 PM
Oh my. Marie, there was no illegality in Michigan or Florida having their elections when they had them. No illegality whatsoever.
And Bill Nichols, Michigan has a Democratic governor and a Democratic legislature. They voted to have their primary before Super Tuesday.
You Loons on the Left are so utterly clueless, it really is beyond ridiculous.
Posted by: John D | March 14, 2008 9:12 AM
Marie in Florida | March 13, 2008 9:35 PM - THANK YOU!!!
Dividing the delegates in Florida and Michigan is the RIGHT thing to do - OR SIMPLY DO NOTHING. Having them revote NOW after the Obama has lost his momentum since the Clintons have reduced him to a "Black Candidate - aka N-Word-Candidate", would be a great disadvantage to Obama.
Don't be surprised that we know what the words "Black candidate means", we have always known. And you can thank folks like Rush Limbaugh for the education.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Chicagoan and Southsider | March 14, 2008 9:56 AM