Fl. Democrats regain full vote at Denver convention

Miami Herald ^ | Sun, Aug. 24, 2008 | LESLEY CLARK and BETH REINHARD

[Erik Latranyi]

DENVER -- Florida Democrats' outsider status was officially erased Sunday when the national party voted to give each of the state's delegates a full vote at the national convention.

The vote by the credentials committee to bring the state party into the fold comes on the eve of the presidential convention, and Democrats hope it closes a door on a bitter year-long dispute that divided the party.

''Thank you for bringing the sunshine back ... for Florida,'' said Scott Maddox, a former Florida Democratic Party chairman and credentials committee member.

The vote is largely symbolic because Barack Obama won enough delegates in the primary to lay claim to the nomination here Thursday night, but Democrats said it's important for party unity.

''Full inclusion of all our state delegations is of paramount importance,'' said Susan Carroll, a conventions committee member from Arkansas.

The national party stripped Florida of its voting delegation last summer for participating in an early primary.

In late May, when Obama was on the verge of claiming the nomination, the DNC relented and agreed at a sharply contentious meeting to allow Florida delegates to go to the convention -- but with only half a vote.

Obama earlier this month asked for the full delegation to be seated and unlike the May meeting -- when Clinton's supporters vociferously opposed the vote and vowed to protest in Denver -- the morning meeting in a cavernous hall in the Colorado Convention Center was largely a staid affair.

''I've seen the struggle and I want to see it through till the very end,'' said Rick Perry, a 54-year-old lawyer and delegate from Ocala, one of a smattering of Florida Democrats in the audience. ``I just think it's historic.''

[Erik Latranyi]

So they deny Florida and Michigan to drive Clinton out and then restore them when it is safe for Obama.

This should enrage Clinton supporters.

[SandRat]

Both state Delegates need to stand up when it’s their turn and vote for McCain. That would PO the O.

[ncfool]

Hmmm this might be interesting. It would be fun to see the war of the Rose’s heat up! or is that the war of Demorat’s.

[staytrue]

The point is that while Republicans made their rules, played by the rules, stayed by the rules and finished by the rules,

THE DEMOCRATS DON’T BELIEVE IN RULES UNLESS THEY GET THE “PROPER OUTCOME”

THEY ARE CHEATS.

[ridesthemiles]

No mention of Michigan-where Nobama wasn’t even on the ballot..
What is their status??? All this talks about is Florida.

[K-oneTexas]

Howard Dean and the DNC have created havoc on the primary process for Dems in this country. Course the RNC isn't much better.

What will happen with Michigan? What do loyal Dems, supporting whatever candidate (for this question) think of a DNC that sets rules to make changes or exceptions? What (now yours) do Clinton supporters think of this move? What do Obama supporters think of this move (regardless of the numbers)?

I sometimes wonder if the Clintons and the DNC were in cahoots to orchestrate a 'movement/plan' against Obama. Make him feel safe, like he won, to come back and snatch victory from his grasp.Personally I do not put anything past the Clinton's in their desire to be Number One.

I wonder if this will cause a deep divide in the party Clintonite vs Obamaits) or even some semblance of an open split. I think a floor fight is going to happen and I don't think it's for show. I can not see the Clinton's just going away peacefully and smiling.

[Caipirabob]

Doesn't Hillary WIN when Florida and Michigan are counted as a full vote? Don't count on some of those other delegates to not change theirs from Obama to her heinousness...

[Political Junkie Too]

This is too funny. So, now Florida Democrats went from no vote to half-vot to now geting full voting at their convention while Florida Republicans still get their original half-vote?

It pays to not have to follow the rules.

-PJ

[tflabo]

[Prole]

The war of the atrocious is more like it.

Ohama hates America, and really despises white Americans. His close association with a black racist organization for 20+ years tells me everything I need to know.

In fact, I still want to know why the FBI and IRS have not kicked down the doors of Trinity United and made some arrests. Charges should include, but not be limited to the following: Public endangerment, Inciting a Riot, Disturbing the peace and Tax Fraud.

But I digress. The democrats are such a sadistic, sordid lot, and many of them should be classified as domestic enemies to the United States.

[Prole]

My FRiend, here is what I expect:

Violent protests and street fights at best, and full blown riots, fires and looting at worst.

Either way, Denver is in for a VERY bumpy ride.

[tazman3]

Clinton/Biden ‘08?

[Vision]

Does anyone know what night the voting takes place? Thursday?

[Qatar-6]

Have to disagree

I think the Dem convention will be a yawn

The big "Hillary move" or riots won't happen

It will all be very civil and she'll give him the Judas kiss

And a lot of her supporters will stay home or vote McCain

Will it be enough to defeat Obama? I sure hope so.

But riots in Denver? I'd be really surprised. The convention will probably have the appearances of outward civility and nd up with a lot of private loathing

Hillary's sights are on 2012 now.

[Prole]

I hope that you are right.

[K-oneTexas]

My gut is saying that. And ... my gut is saying that Billary is conducting this Symphony ‘C’ (for coup) Major.

[Prole]

Well, I expect the worst (fights and riots), but hope that it's really just a boring event like Qatar-6 said.

But, we will have to wait and see!!!!!

[Prole]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xtNr5-up0U

[17th Miss Regt]

Whining works!

[TBP]

Aren’t Florida and Michigan Clinton delegatons?

This could get REALLY interesting.

[TBP]

Ohama hates America, and really despises white Americans.

And is endorsed by David Duke.

[Salvation]

So will Hillary win in a floor vote? This will be verr-wy interesting to watch.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“So they deny Florida and Michigan to drive Clinton out and then restore them when it is safe for Obama.
This should enrage Clinton supporters.”

I don’t think so. Something is seriously wrong. It doesn’t make sense. With politics everything is planned down to the last detail.

Picking Biden, knowing Bidens history, his words from 88 to now do nothing to help Obama. If you want change, why pick a Washington insider? In addition, 5,000 bloggers for Hillary being set up in Denver? That will cost millions to support the infrastructure, hotels and food.

And PUMA? And all these Hillary voters for McCain? No. I don’t buy this. And three nights for the Clintons? Something is wrong with the equation.

Hillary is going to come out of this as the queen of the dance. Politics doesn’t work that way. Why annoint someone who lost in the primary? Especially when in the general, the Democrats will still get the same 48 million votes?

My bet, Obama will never accept the nomination. He is going to have an epiphany the night before and defer it to the one with more experience. And when it is time to vote, all those superdelegates, in the name of party unity and with Obama encouraging it, is going to throw their vote behind Hillary. And in return she is going to pick him as her running mate.

And everyone will be happy because it came from Obama’s mouth.

[cincinnati65]

Obama’s playing marbles.......Hillary’s playing chess......Keep your eyes peeled on this one.....