Open Letter to Florida Democratic Leaders - Stop Your Whining! You wanted to be "relevant." Stop attacking and blaming Howard Dean for the mess you are in.
Stop pretending that Florida Democrats were helpless -we have the video and the news articles that show otherwise.
The vote for the change was 115-1. Thats right, Democratic lawmakers were complicit in this mess, and made no real effort to stop it.
Clinton advisor Howard Ickes voted for the rules you broke and penalties that you are facing now.
Here you will see two news articles, one video of Sen. Steve Geller (D), and the famous Mad Floridian's journals, all of which prove the complicity and posturing of Florida Dems in moving their primary up.
Democrats did offer an amendment, but sarcastically so - according to this Tampa Bay Times reporter's blog (video included).
You can hear Gelber's tone of voice and that he doesn't really want to correct the primary date:
Gelber: Don't blame FL Dems for delegate loss February 21, 2008 UPDATE: Gelber may have audio, but Republicans have video - - of Sen. Steve Geller offering an "amendment" to move the primary back. It was fun and games back then. No longer. See it here.
The House Democratic leader, continuing his push for a new, vote-by-mail primary, on his new blog repeats the Democratic argument (scoffed at by the DNC) that they were helpless to stop Republicans from moving the primary to Jan. 29. He even includes audio of David Rivera laughing at the Democrats' amendment to shift the date to Feb. 5.
What we wonder, though, is what would have happened if Florida Democrats opposed the early primary from the start, rather than waiting until the last minute.
Instead of cheerleading the idea of an early primary violating the national party rules and brushing off Howard Dean, who knows if the new governor stressing bi-partisanship would have been keen on rolling Democrats....
Any opposition was voiced in jest. Dems felt that Florida should be first since it was so big.
Moving the Florida primary helps the big money candidates like Hillary, and not the ones like Edwards etc. Also there has been an effort to undermine Howard Dean for a long time in Florida.
Florida's presidential primary could be as early as January Associated Press Thursday, March 22, 2007
...House Republicans and Democrats passed the earlier primary bill (HB 537) by a 115-1 vote
a challenge to the national parties that are wielding threats in an attempt to prevent a nationwide race for earlier and earlier primaries.
... By its own state law, New Hampshire must have the nation's earliest primary. Its secretary of state has said he will choose a date in the fall to ensure the Granite State's primacy.
National Democrats have recommended a Jan. 22 vote in New Hampshire. If that date is chosen, Florida's vote would occur Jan. 29, with early voting starting two weeks earlier.
California, with the largest state population, signed a Feb. 5 primary into law last week.
Florida lawmakers believe the state's demographic and political diversity merit a greater say in the selection of nominees. They're tired of candidates treating the fourth-largest state as a fundraising ATM, only to take the money to campaign in small states like Iowa and New Hampshire. And they say they are willing to call the bluffs of the national parties, which have threatened to take away
delegates the state parties send to the nominating conventions
Madfloridian's Journal
Each Entry Highlights the Complicity and Posturing of Florida Dems in Moving Up Primary
Florida leaders have never done the one thing they need to do. They have never taken responsibility for their actions.
Florida Democrats invade Georgia
Dean told not to plan a vacation in Florida.
Court decision on March 17 could determine who Democratic nominee is.
Florida Democrats thought they would only lose "half" the delegates.
Dean says FL and MI would not negotiate with the DNC...took it public instead.
Florida, Michigan and the Jackasses That Over-reached
Tampa op ed: "Arrogance Cost Florida Chance To Influence Election"
Terry McAuliffe wants to change horses in the middle of the stream.
From instigator to victim. It was a Dem who introduced the early primary bill in Florida.
How it began last August....how Florida Democrats began their propaganda war
Jeremy Ring (D-FL) said "relevance is more important than "partying" in Denver.
The worst part is that this very day FL Dems still shift blame....
Is Hillary's campaign being run as a "shadow DNC" for her benefit?
More Florida shenanigans and more insults to Dean from that state.
Think I exaggerate about Florida's attitude? Here's a county chairperson's rant against Dean.
Enough of this. Florida Democrats now threaten Dean and the DNC with a "voting rights probe".
The "appropriate legal official" to "investigate" Dean and the DNC...is...Gonzales.
Nelson: "I will lead the delegates to Denver whether or not the DNC plans to let them in."
Two summaries of the DNC committee ruling about Florida.
Florida sowed the seeds of a propaganda war against the DNC.
Proof. Vindication. Both Florida parties did it for "relevance." From March.
The latest Florida propaganda tactic here about attacking the DNC...local email.
Florida's Geller joked about his amendment: "sarcasm and audible laughter in chamber"
One Florida county is saying there will be further bloodshed. Much argument here today.
Florida Democratic Party website building anger toward the DNC
Democratic activist sues over loss of Florida delegates
"Dean was conciliatory and offered DNC help for the state"..hour long phone call
Gelber admits they did not fight the GOP about the primary.
"Primary bully Florida ought to be ashamed"...four articles catch on to Florida's primary ploy.
Bill Nelson today will file a bill for regional primaries...but first he had to get your attention
Bill Nelson today: "DNC penalties unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable"
Carl Levin and Terry McAuliffe made a deal about primaries in 2004.
Email from Florida DEC chairs saying not to give to the DNC or candidates.
Pelosi says it is not Florida's fault at all. So if the speaker says it I must be wrong.
"Florida Democrats are all for it"...March 2006. All for the early primary that far ahead.
Details on how Florida worked with the GOP to set the early primary date.
Nobody sued Terry McAuliffe when he said Michigan's delegates would not get near Boston.
Nelson and Levin of Michigan file the bill today. It's getting deeper
My postings about the heartbreak of the Florida primary fiasco.
Florida Dems at convention have button that says "Screw Dean"...very classy.
Senate leader ponders suing 'rogue states' over primary
