Posted on 08/26/2007 1:52:13 PM PDT by Jean S
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Saturday gave the Florida Democratic Party 30 days to submit a new plan for a primary or caucus or lose all of its delegates to the nominating convention.
Adopting a resolution offered by committeeman Ralph Dawson of New York, the DNC’s rules and bylaws committee all but ignored the pleas of the Florida party and voted almost unanimously to strip the state of all its delegates unless it offers a new plan that meets DNC rules.
The state ran afoul of the committee’s new primary rules when it decided to adhere to a new state law that moved the primary to Jan. 29, in violation of the DNC rule preventing unapproved states from holding a nominating contest before Feb. 5. The rules committee officially found the delegate selection plan Florida submitted to be in noncompliance Saturday when it adopted Dawson’s resolution.
Florida party representatives argued unsuccessfully that they should be given an exemption and not be punished because they had taken “provable, positive steps” to obey the rule, but they were unsuccessful because of the actions of a Republican controlled legislature and a Republican governor.
“We’re asking for mercy, not judgment,” Florida DNC member Jon Ausman told the committee.
The rules committee, however, was unmoved by the arguments of the Florida delegation and moved promptly to not only enforce its rules but to make them as harsh as possible.
Any state that moved its primary ahead of the Feb. 5 window automatically loses half of its delegates under the new rules.
Presidential candidates that campaign in a state in violation would lose any delegates they win in that state. But committee co-chairman Jim Roosevelt said after the vote that in this case, there would be “no sanction on the campaigns since there would be no delegates at stake.”
“It’s essentially a beauty contest or a straw poll,” committee co-chairwoman Alexis Herman told reporters.
Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman told reporters after the vote she would take the news back to the executive and central committees of the state party.
“I think it’s going to be a difficult discussion,” Thurman said.
Everyone involved said they are optimistic a solution can be found, and Thurman stated that the 30-day reprieve was the only thing to come out of the meeting that gives her hope.
In adopting the harsh penalties, the rules committee appeared to be sending a message to other state parties and legislatures such as Michigan, that any moves ahead of the Feb. 5 window would be met with stiff penalties and little to no leniency.
The Michigan legislature and state parties have in recent days appeared poised to move its primary to Jan. 15.
I’m not flamming anyone. I am making a point however. If it is on-going criminality that you choose to base an indictment of unions on you can easily do the same for both major political parties and business in general.
As to the issue of union interest signings replacing an N.L.R.B. sanctioned election, business has acted at least equally criminal in fighting union organization as any union has in organizing.
When union coercion is mentioned there isn’t usually a mention of business coercion of employees, such as forced working off of the clock, removal of overtime hours from time cards and sexual, verbal and physical abuse by supervisors, plus willingly and knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.
In the last instance some major American businesses have struck deals with coyotes to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States for employment in their facilities.
Let us not forget the looting of company pension plans by the buyout artists in the 80s or the recent examples of Enron, WorldCom and their big name,outside accountants.
When it comes to criminality unions are minor league compared to some of our businesses.
Dems and their usual Stalinist tactics. Pathetic.
This must mean Hillary somehow suffers from an early Florida primary. Maybe Hussein Obama is stronger in FL than other states
I’m pro-union except for gubbermint unions. They are thieves and scum who work with local Democrats to rig pay raises and bennies as best they can.
Perfectly stated.
Florida should decline to place a candidate nominated by the democratic party on the ballot if Florida’s delegates are disenfranchised. Make the candidate go the write-in route.
Does this statement tell all? I told a liberal friend that if the leaders of the Dems had their way, I would end up in a gulag...er...um...re-education camp. He was reluctant to acknowledge such an assertion. I also told him that when I got to the camp, he would be there before me. This story illustrates exactly what I was talkng about.
Very good point here and your whole post was right on. What pathetic union bashers we have here. Unions in the private sector have never been weaker yet the libertarian princes of Free Republic rail against them like they've been on automatic for the last 30 years. And yes, public sector unions are rotten thieves who work hand in glove with Democrats. The Democrat national convention and various state conventions are always heavily stacked with teacher's unions slugs. I got the low down from my dad (who I love and get along with), he is a retired teacher and has manned the teacher's union Democrat phone banks on election day
All Fl delegates should vote for Rudy.This would wake up the dnc.
I bet Drudge still lurks here.
Ten bucks says this is the lead story on his show tonight at 10PM ET.
What would Drudge do without the FR breaking news sidebar?
Drudge and I were discussing Hall & Oates’ best song ever recorded (a song called “August Day” - was never really a “hit,” so to speak) over AOL instant messenger way back in August 2003 and when I mentioned FR he replied something to the effect of “Pffht, I haven’t been there in years.”
Somehow I highly doubt that. I mean, he did link to FR for at least 3-4 years on his site, for crying out loud! :O) He’s a good guy, though, even if he posts a lot of gossipy stuff.
Which... well, ... kind of makes Perdogg the Matt Drudge of FR!
Hehehehehehehe....!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, you will be mine...There is one reason, and one reason only that our senator is named Nelson.
To the DNC:
ALL YOUR MODERATE FLORIDA VOTERS ARE BELONG TO US!
The Demorat Party has an ongoing battle between its left wing ( Dean/Michael Moore et. al.)and the Joe Leiberman moderates. If the left wins, they can kiss the 2008 election GOODBYE!
Go Howard GO!
That’s the way it should unfold, but I don’t have the confidence in the broad American electorate that you seem to have. Remember that the majority actually voted for that mental case Algore.
more votes for the repubs.
I don't have confidence in the broad American electorate, but I do believe that we are in a cycle of history which has a strong parallel to that of 1935 to 1940.
As Americans begin to reralize how they have been had by the MSN on the issues of national security and illegal aliens, the Demo left will finthat it is not the Republican party that has beaten them, but the flow of history itself.
Am I right? Dunno. But I have studied with one of the best professors on the topic of fascism and its rise, as well as the reaction of the West to it. So my conclusions are based on an analysis I have been quietly conducting for myself over the last 2 years.
I am not guessing about it, but who knows, maybe the fascist Islamics will just disappear before Nov. of 2008, and all our illegal aliens will just disappear or become model citizens by then?
But, doesn’t every vote count, so count every vote???
“From the party that wants every vote counted... /s”
Yea, how ironic - in the state that “disenfranchised” them. I’m sure the Republicans will remind voters of the Irony.
Ah, somebody’s colors are showing; rats don’t really believe in democracy anyway.
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