Clinton Wins in Florida, but Without Any Delegates to Sweeten the Victory

NYTimes ^ | January 30, 2008 | John Broder

[Fred]

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton won the Florida Democratic primary on Tuesday, a contest that generated extraordinary voter interest even though the result will have no practical impact because no delegates were at stake.

With 71 percent of the vote counted, Mrs. Clinton, of New York, was running ahead of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, 50 percent to 32 percent. Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was third, with 15 percent.

None of the Democratic candidates campaigned actively here, fulfilling a pledge to the Democratic National Committee, which punished Florida Democrats for jumping the line by scheduling their primary before Feb. 5. But supporters of Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama worked hard to get their voters to the polls to make a symbolic show of strength.

Mrs. Clinton’s victory was expected and may have largely reflected her prominence on the national political scene for almost two decades. She did well among those who cast their votes early; among late deciders, Mr. Obama matched her almost one for one, according to exit polls conducted by Edison/Mitofsky.

Mrs. Clinton flew late Tuesday to Fort Lauderdale from Washington, and in nearby Davie she thanked more than 1,000 supporters in a banquet room for a “tremendous victory.” She was also seeking to reach Florida’s television audience, which did not see any of the Democratic candidates before the primary because they pledged not to campaign here. “Thank you so much, oh my goodness, thank you,” she said to cheers. “You know, I could not come here to ask in person for your votes, but I’m here to thank you for your votes today.” Mrs. Clinton noted the record turnout of Florida Democratic primary voters in her remarks, and promised

[Post Toasties]

Never fear, NY Times. Hilliary can fix that at the Democrat Convention.

[Fred]

Don't Cry for me Florida...

[Graybeard58]

Never fear, NY Times. Hilliary can fix that at the Democrat Convention.

You may count on it.

[apillar]

From what I heard on the radio during Hillary “victory” speech, she was trying to play it up like this was the greatest, hardest fought victory of her entire campaign. Probably hoping the democrat sheeple wouldn't pay enough attention to realize nobody else was even campaigning in Florida...

[Loud Mime]

Do you think it was the hispanic vote?

[gondramB]

The Obama people are pissed that Hillary are treating this like a win.. but even thinking their votes wouldn’t count Hillary still got more votes than McCain. That is significant no matter how Obama would like to spin it.

[jmyrlefuller]

Now, is the DNC going to reprimand her for campaigning there against party rules?

Methinks not.

[tflabo]

[Lera]

I doubt it . Florida’s Hispanics are mostly Cuban and for the most part don’t think much of democrats . They most likely voted for McCain. Hillery votes probably came from all the northern transplants =P

[tflabo]

"Mrs. Clinton flew late Tuesday to Fort Lauderdale from Washington"...

[ReignOfError]

The Obama people are pissed that Hillary are treating this like a win.. but even thinking their votes wouldn’t count Hillary still got more votes than McCain. That is significant no matter how Obama would like to spin it.

Why am I flashing back to the various and sundry "straw polls" won by Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul? Yes, it's possible that Hilary will get the Florida delegates seated, but only if she already has enough delegates to do so. Absent that, the Florida "win" is all just smoke and wind.

[SunkenCiv]

self-ping

[1066AD]

The Michigan delegates as well.

[SunkenCiv]

Clinton Wins Primary but No Delegates
AP | Jan 29, 2008 | Mike Glover
Posted on 01/30/2008 12:14:14 AM EST by upchuck
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1961819/posts