Florida Vows To Go Ahead With Jan. 29 Primary

NBC's Mark Murray reports that Florida's 10 congressional Dems "said that they're firmly set to go ahead with their primary on January 29, despite the Democratic National Committee's vow that it will strip all of state party's delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention -- unless the Florida Democratic Party acts in the next 30 days to delay its nominating contest (in the form of a caucus)."

"We cannot go along with anything but the state-run primary set for next January," the lawmakers said in the statement. "We strongly encourage all Democrats to vote for their preferred nominee in that primary, regardless of whatever penalties the DNC might enact."

But, in the last paragraph of the statement, the lawmakers did suggest that they're willing to reach some kind of compromise. "We hope that over the next few weeks, the DNC and its chairman will show a willingness to work with us to find an equitable solution that is acceptable to all."

The DNC will not budge.

And if Florida Democrats sue, look for the DNC to cite a 1981 Supreme Court case, Democratic Party of the United States v. Wisconsin ex rel. LaFollette, 450 U.S. 107 , which held that the DNC had no obligation to seat any delegates from Wisconsin that were chosen in a primary that violated DNC rules. Additionally, of course, the constitution states fairly explicitly that political parties, not states, determine the rules by which presidential candidates are nominated. The DNC will further ague, if it has to, that the party is not a "covered juridiction" under Article 5 of the Voting Rights Act and is therefore fairly immune from a voting rights act challenge over the facts of this particular case.

Comments

Seems pretty clear the DNC is right and Florida has to abide by the rules or not have its delegates counted.

Posted by Paul | August 28, 2007 11:07 PM

When will we stop using exclusively small states to begin the candidate selection process? These states distort the poltical process enough with equal representation in the Senate and the ability to filibuster.

Posted by Keith | August 28, 2007 11:50 PM

What's going on with the Republican primary?

Posted by George Sorwell | August 29, 2007 12:28 PM

While the DNC is TECHNICALLY right, it is so profoundly and woefully wrong in every other way. Why blame and punish the long-suffering Democratic voters of Florida and simultaneously shoot the party in the foot by taking away our vote having any effect at the nominating convention? As a lifelong, loyal Democrat and a Florida voter, I can tell you that, after what we all went through in 2000, it really hurts beyond words that my own party would seek to disenfranchise me in this way. Surely there is some other way to address the issues with the primary system than to send this kind of "message", as Donna Brazille of the DNC put it, to every registered voter in Florida. Because the message we have received is surely not the one they intended to send. Unless they meant to say to us "We are going to do to you now what Katherine Harris and the Republican party did to you in 2000--muah ha ha ha HAAAA!"

Message received. However, I am not going to let my own party disuade me from going to the polls on 1/29/07 and casting my ballot for the presidential candidate of my choice, PLUS voting on the other crucial issues that happen to be on the 1/29/07 ballot, too. I urge all registered Democrats in Florida to please, please, PLEASE vote on 1/29/07. Forget if you can about the DNC kicking us in the teeth. Vote ANYWAY.

Posted by Edna | August 30, 2007 3:01 PM