Dean Urges Presidential Candidates To Adhere To Calendar

In a strongly worded letter to the Democratic presidential candidates, DNC chair Howard Dean urges them to abide by the calendar and delegate selection process set out by the committee. Dean does not address what would happen if the candidates stray from the rules and campaign in penalized states like Florida.

"As the leader of the Democratic Party, I strongly urge you to adhere to the 2008 delegate selection rules."

Last weekend, the party's rules and bylaws committee found Florida's proposed Jan. 29 primary in noncompliance. They stripped the state of all of its delegates, pending a decision by Florida to revise its plan. Florida refused and has threatened to sue the DNC for depriving Democrats the right to vote.

"My goal as Chairman, and our objective as a Party, is to structure a nominating process that adheres to rules that are clear, straightforward and published. The vast majority of states have complied with these rules," Dean writes. "The RBC did one thing on Saturday: enforced the Party's rules."

Download Dean's letter here.

Comments

Good for Howard.

Posted by Petey | August 31, 2007 11:43 AM

Can Dean really stop the tide?

political radio today at 5 PM
http://blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=49078

Posted by matthew | August 31, 2007 12:03 PM

Bravo, Howard.

Florida refused and has threatened to sue the DNC for depriving Democrats the right to vote.

They can try but the DNC has at least two Supreme Court decisions on its side.

1. DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF U.S. v. WISCONSIN, 450 U.S. 107 (1981)

The Court found that the Democratic National Convention had the First Amendment right to refuse to seat delegates elected under a primary system legislated by the state of Wisconsin but prohibited by national party rules.

2. COUSINS v. WIGODA, 419 U.S. 477 (1975)

The Court here found that the Illinois state courts did not have the power to force the seating of delegates at a national party convention if those delegates were elected through procedures violating national party rules.

I hope Florida Democrats come to their senses very quickly.

Posted by Corinne | August 31, 2007 1:29 PM

Corrine: I'm not holding my breath. Considering Sen. Nelson's (D-FL) little bit to add fuel to the fire, consensus with the DNC is going to take a monumental change of heart.

Posted by Nony Mouse | August 31, 2007 3:14 PM

I doubt Nelson is going to back down but Florida really doesn't have much to support a lawsuit.

Posted by Corinne | August 31, 2007 6:06 PM

Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues

Posted by James | November 23, 2007 8:32 AM

Gear up for grub with a tripleheader of pigskin, including a meeting of brothers in Dallas. Everybody knows it's been a rough year for her, but find out who else had issues

Posted by Betty | November 23, 2007 2:26 PM