The Bad Con Man

I'm glad to see that Bill Nelson's grandstanding has finally caught up with him. Nelson told the press that he had a full-proof plan for a mail in vote to redo the Florida primary. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton hated the idea. The Florida Democratic Party announced they would not persue a mail-in revote.

Nine members of Florida Democratic delegation issued a press release against Nelson's plan. One anonymous Congressional staffer spoke with the Palm Beach Post.

The exchanges "spoke volumes about Sen. Nelson," said a Democratic congressional staffer who asked not to be identified. "He engaged in free-wheeling, self-dealing behavior and got caught with his pants down. He told the press that he had a done deal on a new Florida vote without even talking to any members of the Florida delegation, and in fact, the entire Florida delegation was opposed to him.

"He tried to do something on his own, and it blew up in his face," the staffer said. "I think right now there is significant resentment against him by the other Florida Democrats on the Hill."

Nelson's recent behavior "validated his reputation as not being a team player," the staffer said. "He's never been inclusive or seemed to reach out to other members to work on Florida-specific issues. He always flies solo. It's not a warm relationship between the House Democrats and Senator Nelson."

The political fallout has been so bad that Freshman Congressman Tim Mahoney had to come to rescue Nelson.

“I was in the meeting between Florida’s congressional delegation and Senator Nelson, to resolve the Florida primary crisis," said freshman Rep. Tim Mahoney of Palm Beach Gardens. "The Senator has kept me apprised on his efforts to resolve this matter and has always represented the best interests of the people of Florida.”

I wonder if any quid pro quo is involved with Mahoney stepping forward. He was one of the Congressional delegation against the mail-in vote.

Nelson has been grandstanding and attempts to help Hillary Clinton win Florida's delegates is catching up with him. In February, Nelson had zero interest in the DNC's suggestion of a caucas. A revote was the furthest thing from Nelson's mind.

JUST RECENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, A VERY DISTINGUISHED FORMER GOVERNOR OF VERMONT, GOVERNOR DEAN, OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE PARTY, AS REPORTED IN "THE NEW YORK POST" SUGGESTED HAVING A CAUCUS IN MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA AS A WAY OF SELECTING THE DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION FROM THOSE TWO STATES.

BUT, MR. PRESIDENT, YOU CAN'T UNDO AN ELECTION WITH A CAUCUS, AND ESPECIALLY YOU CAN'T UNDO AN ELECTION WHERE 1.7 MILLION FLORIDA DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED IN A SECRET BALLOT AND REPLACE IT WITH A CAUCUS THAT MAYBE 50,000 PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP. IT'S BASIC TO OUR DEMOCRACY, AND IT’S A BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO HAVE THAT VOTE COUNTED.

Nelson was one of the members of the Florida Democratic Party that voted to move the primary up to Jan. 29th. I am getting sick of a man responsible for this "train wreck" blaming others and using the opportunity to garner national media attention. Nelson should be removed from his position in the FDP and held accountable for his actions. The fact that Chairwoman Karen Thurman is not returning phone calls and letting Nelson be the face of the FDP says she has no leadership abilities. The FDP has always been a joke. It should be dismantled and rebuilt with fresh leadership.