Both of the national parties have sanctioned the people of the state of Florida because they voted to have their primary before the first Tuesday of February. The GOP sanctions cut the number of delegates to half, making the GOP delegates for Florida down to 57 from 114...still the most significant number of GOP delegates of the primaries so far.

The Democratic party has cut the number of delegates from Florida to zero.

So, although we can expect very active campaigning from the Republicans, can we expect to see much activity from the Dems?

Although both national parties have taken an unfair position with their sanctions to the states who voted to have earlier primaries, at least the GOP delegates are worth the fight. If the Dems are not active in Florida, will they shoot themselves in the foot for the general election? If the Dems are active in Florida, their party has been very unfair to the candidates, too. To prevent shooting the nominee (whoever that is) in the foot and they camapaign for the good of the party, the individual candidate is fundamentally wasting a chunk of money.

Can a Dem candidate be blamed for not campaigning in Florida?

[edit] And, has the Democratic party guaranteed a Republican win in Florida in the general election?

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

We've seen a bit of campaigning here, but not much. The leading Dems signed a pledge not to campaign here before Iowa, in order to "punish" us.

And, as you noted, they have completely disenfranchised every Florida voter in their primary.

From what I've read on the newspaper blogs down here, there are plenty of Florida Democrats who are quite angry about being given the finger by the national party, and who say they'll not vote for the Dem candidate in November.

It does put the lie to both parties' claims that they want every vote counted, when they seek to "punish" the voters in a state by taking away their votes.

Matt

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well from what I am seeing on the news obama is already there and campaigning etc....

if rudy doesn't win or come within 3-4 points, hes a goner in my opinion.

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We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile....

If I were a Dem in Florida, I likely would feel the same. As a Florida Dem, I would also feel that not only has my primary vote been robbed, but my general election vote, as well. This pledge to "punish" looks like a big backfire.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Indeed, and only proves that the primary system needs to be reformed. Also, don't forget, Florida is a closed-primary system. Either way, its a mess and I'm sure Florida Democrats are going to make Howard Dean eat his words at saying their vote doesn't count.

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I don't pretend to know everything, educate me, and I'll try to educate you. Shouting matches and insults aren't going to convince me.

It's complete horseshit, an insult to Floridians, and a striking example of how anti-democratic our primary system is.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

I think it'll hurt the Democrats more in the general election, but it depends what the candidates stand for.

If McCain gets the nomination, Florida ought to go his way because he's for amnesty of the illegals while the other Republicans aren't.

Since the Dems are for it, that'll keep things close, but Florida likes McCain, he's basically one of them. It'll be decided within the margin of error for the Republicans in November, as long as we're not underestimating how much the general public is actually pissed of with Bush.

I think this will be it for Giuliani this week. Although, with Republicans, since there is more of a "Winner Takes All" kind of system, if Giuliani wins, he'd head in to Super Tuesday with about the same number of delegates that Huckabee and McCain have; he'd be just behind Romney.

I think there are a few other states who got hosed as well: New Hampshire and Wyoming got the same deal from both the parties. I think there were a couple others, too; I just can't remember which ones. However, of all the states who got hosed in this manner, Florida has the biggest chunk of delegates.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Michigan, I think, got nailed as well.

I wish Ohio had moved its primary up, at least to super-Tuesday.

However, the hot gossip (from one of my poli sci professors) is that we would be actually physically incapable of running an election by a date any earlier than March 4th.

Frustrating.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

I agree that this was a terrible idea for the Democrats. I understand that the DNC was unhappy about Florida moving their primary, but the punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime in this case. I am the only one who feels like the Democratic party, with all its perceived momentum, is really trying to throw the 2008 election to the Republicans?

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"The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.”
- George Will

Yeah, I guess that's a good way of putting it. There is a perceived momemtum and the DNP has messed up, IMO. The GOP could have better used this to their advantage by not putting any sactions on those states. They messed up, too, just not as severely, IMO.

But, I am thrilled to see these states not cave and continue with the will of their people. Sure, the parties can do as they please, but they must accept the consequences, too.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

I hope that this precipitates some sort of change in the primary system.

I say fuck Iowa and New Hampshire. Their arrogance in this matter is as bad as that of Texans in every other matter.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

BIG trouble for Moose and Squirrel.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Indeed, two tiny states with much clout that hardly represent America.

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I don't pretend to know everything, educate me, and I'll try to educate you. Shouting matches and insults aren't going to convince me.

Interesting, so Hillary is determined to get delegates anyway possible. So much for Florida not counting.


EzraKlein Archive | The American Prospect

Marc Ambinder (January 25, 2008) - Clinton. Obama Spar Over Florida Delegates

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I don't pretend to know everything, educate me, and I'll try to educate you. Shouting matches and insults aren't going to convince me.