Blast In the Past: Rudy Giuliani

The day before the Florida primary, Rudy Giuliani repeatedly predicts he will win Florida. The best Rudy in Florida moment was Giuliani driving his bus on the Daytona International Speedway. I don't want Rudy to ever become President. I do miss the comic insanity of his 2008 campaign.

Howard Dean on Meet the Press

Howard Dean answers questions about the Florida and Michigan delegate situation on Meet the Press.

"You've got to keep order, and that's part of my job is to keep order," Dean said on Meet the Press. "It's understandable that the folks you call out because they think they're more important than everybody else are going to be upset about that. We did keep order, we do have an orderly process. I'll defend the process."

But Dean said he believes politics - not the voters - are to blame.

"The voters of Michigan and Florida were not the people that screwed this all up, it was politicians," Dean said, later adding, "I believe Michigan and Florida should be seated in some way because ...their voters did not cause this problem. This was caused by a political problem, not the voters' problem."

The problems with Florida and Michigan were political. Both states' Democratic party leaders moved up their primaries against repeated warnings from Dean and the Democratic National Committee. The problem with settling the delegate seating is Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have too much sway in the process. Candidates for the presidency can't be unbiased about how the delegates are seated.

The DNC's duty is too get Democrats elected. Not play election officials. Florida and Michigan party leaders placed a task on the DNC they weren't meant to handle. A few state party leaders moved up the primaries to curry favor with the candidates. The voters and party have suffered because of their aggorance.

Battle of the Press Releases

The Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns fire press releases accusing each campaign of disenfranchising Florida voters. What the campaigns fail to mention is Florida doesn't need any help disenfranchising it's voters.

Barack Obama Press Release

FLORIDA: “We hope that all parties can agree on a fair seating of the Florida delegates so that Florida can participate in the Democratic Convention, and we look forward to working with the Florida Democratic Party and competing vigorously in the state so that Barack Obama can put Florida back into the Democratic column in November.”

Hillary Clinton Press Release

“Today’s announcement brings us no closer to counting the votes of the nearly 1.7 million people who voted in January. We hope the Obama campaign shares our belief that Florida’s voters must be counted and cannot be disenfranchised.”

All this finger-pointing is getting old. The Florida Democratic Party refused to do a revote. After several stinging defeats, Hillary Clinton pushed to have the Florida delegation count. Now the FDP floated the mail-in vote idea that everybody hated. The mail-in vote will not happen. Karen Thurman uses the opportunity to falsely claim that Democratic legislators attempted to set the primary date for Feb. 5. The vote to move up the primary received bipartisan support. The Republican legislators do not have final say over when Democratics hold their primary. That honor goes to the FDP.

MIAMI, Fla.-Florida Democrats have embraced an early primary on Jan. 29 despite the national party's threat to penalize them by taking away half their delegates to the national convention.

Karen Thurman, the party chairwoman, and Sen. Bill Nelson said Monday that the leadership had voted unanimously to accept the date. The state party has to submit a plan to the Democratic National Committee by Friday.

It takes serious chutzpah for Thurman to blame Republicans for a primary she moved up. My grievance is that the FDP is incapable of fixing the mess because that would admit they made a mistake moving up the primary. Blaming Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio isn't going to solve anything.

Howard Dean is near the end of his tenure as DNC Chairman. He hasn't changed his decision and blaming him is likely only to piss him off even more. The nominee will need Dean more, in the general election than a state that went red the last two presidential elections. Contrary to what Florida Democrats think, Obama and Hillary can win the White House without Florida.

It's Still the Florida Democratic Party's Fault

Gene Smith's Daily Kos diary is giving me a migrane headache. I like Gene, but why must Florida progressives continue to defend the idiocy of the Florida Democratic Party. Smith splits hairs by citing rule 3A of the DNC Delegate Selection Rules.

All official Party meetings and events related to the national convention delegate selection process, including caucuses, conventions, committee meetings, filing dates, and Party enrollment periods, shall be scheduled for dates, times and public places which would be most likely to encourage the participation of all Democrats, and must begin and end at reasonable hours.

Smith makes an argument that defies would get thrown out of court.

It goes on to provide the exemptions for the four "early states" of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

But here we are at the heart of the problem, at least here in Florida. We had two different rules of the DNC Delegate Selection Rules brought into direct conflict with each other by the actions of the Republican controlled state legislature. Those are the facts. There is nothing to be nipped in the bud here.

The rule is very clear. Only Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina were allowed by the Democratic National Committee to hold presidential elections in January. It took one hour for Judge Robert Hinkle threw out Bill Nelson's lawsuit against the DNC. The DNC found the Florida Democratic Party in violation of their rules. The argument that the FDP voted unanimously to move the primary up to Jan. 29th. The vote vote to move up the primary received huge bipartisan support.

Florida House 118 to 0
Florida Senate 37 to 2

I have followed this story and I never heard the reason Florida Democrats supported moving the primary up was because of rule 3A. Nelson and Thurman voted to move the primary up so they can court favor with presidential candidates. Republicans and Democrats wanted to national media spotlight that New Hampshire and Iowa received. These people were warned repeatly by DNC and RNC officials not to move up the primary. The FDP has refused to compromise with the DNC. Nelson and Thurman are responsible for disenfranchising voters and they need to be held accountable. Progressive bloggers sound like the lefty version of Instupundit when they become apologists for these incompetent Democrats. Florida deserves better than Bill Nelson and Karen Thurman.

My question to Gene is if it isn't the FDP's fault than who's is it?

Immigration Killed Romney In Florida

A key exit poll is how well John McCain did with Hispanic voters.

McCain won the Cuban vote 50-10 over Romney. And the non-Cuban Hispanic vote by 51-21. Those are gigantic differences, and can easily swing a close election like Florida. Since only 10% of the Republican voters were Latino, I'm not sure that Latinos were the decisive factor on Tuesday (but only because I have no idea how to do the math on that). But it's obvious that McCain's surge with Hispanic voters helped him substantially in winning Florida.

Mitt Romney has waged a hypocritically demogogued the immigration issue. Community Lawn Service mowed the lawn of Romney's home. It is no secret the lawn service used illegal immigrants.

The Florida primary was close. If Romney didn't attempt to cope Tom Tancredo's message, he could have beaten McCain. I doubt a pro-business Romney is actually going to do anything against corporations that use illegal immigrants. His record as Governor is all hot air. Andrew Sullivan summed up Romney's problems.

The exit polls show the critical distinction between Romney and McCain supporters. Romney's are still pro-Bush. McCain's aren't. If you're fighting a general election this fall, you'll need those who disapprove of Bush's record - not the kool-aid drinkers. McCain also won Hispanics by a big margin - another key advantage for November.

Running as a less tolerant George W. Bush is a recipe for disaster.

Update: Fox News exit polling shows John McCain beating Mitt Romney 54 percent to 14 percent with Hispanics.

Florida Progressive Radio: Florida Primary Edition

Kenneth Quinnell and Alison Morano give their take on the Florida primary.

Quote of the Day

"The winner of Florida will win the nomination."

Rudy Giuliani

Giuliani's Florida strategy will be cited in political science classes on how not to run a presidential campaign.

The Maverick's Fundraising Woes

John McCain is holding several fundraisers going into the Florida primary. The Straight talker doesn't have enough money to compete with Mitt Romney. According to Open Secrets: McCain has $3,488,628 on hand. Romney has $9,216,517.

McCain needs to take time off the campaign trail and fundraise. I fail to see how McCain can more more television ads than Romney.

“We’re going to be able to fully fund a Florida campaign with a multi-million dollar television advertising buy,” said a McCain adviser.

Perhaps by borrowing more money. McCain has already accumulated $1,730,691 in debt. McCain's campaign may accept public matching funds. If the Maverick does that he is toast. The McCain campaign told The Hill they won't accept matching funds if there is a shot at the nomination. Then why leave the option open?

If I'm a Republican, I would worry about McCain getting the nomination. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama can out fundraise the daylight out of McCain. The GOP establishment and Christian fundamentalists can't stand McCain. Many will get onboard for a McCain nomination. They wouldn't have the same enthusiasm for say Jeb Bush.

Update: Public Policy Polling has Romney ahead of McCain by 3 percent.

DNC To Florida Democrats: Piss Off

The Democratic National Committee told Florida Democrats they can not release candidates from the no campaign pledge, since Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina made the candidate sing the pledge. That is a correct reading from the DNC's part. Alex Sink, Ted Deutch and Dan Gelber made a valient attempt to end the boycott.

Florida's Democratic leadership needs to convince the early states to release Clinton, Obama and Edwards. (Gravel and Kucinich do not matter.) There are only six days left until the primary. The Florida Democratic Party and Bill Nelson's blame game and refusal to compromise pissed off national Democrats. The Sunshine State's Democrats are now resorting to begging. Great strategy, gang.

The pathetic part is Nelson and state Democrats won't admit that they fucked up. Despite repeated warnings from Howard Dean and the early states, Democrats voting to move up the primary, then blame Republicans for this madness. The reason the Democrats are the Florida minority is because of a lack of political courageousness.

Boycott May End

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting Alex Sink, Ted Deutch and Dan Gelber are attempting to have the Democratic candidates campaign for two days before the Jan. 29th primary. New Hampshire, Nevada, Iowa and South Carolina must release the candidates from the pladge.

CFO Alex Sink, Sen. Ted Deutch and Rep. Dan Gelber will hold a news conference at the Press Center to announce a formal request to Democratic Party chairs in Iowa, N.H., Nevada, and S.C. to release the candidates from the no-campaign pledge. The goal: To allow Dems to campaign in Florida for two days prior to Jan. 29.

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer attempted to raise questions about the candidates character if they broke the pledge. Alex Sink gave the brilliant response, ""Shall I use another one of my Southernisms? That's B.S."

Greer questioned the candidates character for not campaigning in Florida. Now Greer is quiestioning the candidates moral fiber for possiblely stumping in the Sunshine State. Greer is awfully conflicted. Perhap Greer 1.0 wants Florida voters to hear Hillary, Obama, and Edwards articulate their positions on the issues. Bizarro Greer wants to shamelessly use voter disenfranchisement for chaep political gain. (See: gay marriage.)

"You can't waver from fundamental values and principles of the Republican Party," said Greer.

Jim, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Lieberman to Stump for McCain

I will celebrate the day when Joe Lieberman can no longer caucas with Democrats. The only reason Lieberman has power is by holding the Dems ransom and obstructing the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Lieberman's refusal to hold hearings on FEMA's and Homeland Security's handling of Katrina is a digrace.

"We don't want to play ‘gotcha' anymore" and that "looking back… would be a waste of Congress' time."

Senator, it is called oversight, which is Congress's responsibility in the Constitution. It is called checks and balances.

Lieberman is coming to Florida to campaign for John McCain.

Eight years after campaigning in Florida as a Democratic virtual favorite son, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is expected to campaign in the Sunshine State this month for Republican John McCain’s presidential bid, a source close to the McCain campaign says.

Details haven’t been announced, but Lieberman visits to Palm Beach and Broward counties are expected.

This is the same Lieberman that was endorsed by Republican Congressman Chris Shays. President Bush refused to endorse Lieberman's Republican Senate opponent Alan Schlesinger.

"We are not making any endorsement in Connecticut. The Republican party of Connecticut has suggested that we not make an endorsement in that race and so we're not," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.

Like Democrats Zell Miller and John Breaux, Lieberman can hold both parties hostage because of a razor thin majority. Miller is a former segregation. The New Republic's Jon Chait described Breaux as a "repellent sleazebag." Pls like this is why I don't support a Unity ticket.

Blame Bill Nelson

In news that will shock no one: Judge Robert Hinkle threw Bill Nelson's lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee out of court.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle took all of an hour to rule against Sen. Bill Nelson’s lawsuit against the DNC for stripping Florida of its 210 delegates to next summer’s nominating convention.

The DNC and RNC makes the rules about delegate selection for the national conventions. The 1981 Supreme Court decision Democratic Party of U.S. v. Wisconsin, 450 U.S. 107 makes that absolute.

The State has a substantial interest in the manner in which its elections are conducted, and the National Party has a substantial interest in the manner in which the delegates to its National Convention are selected. But these interests are not incompatible, and to the limited extent they clash in this case, both interests can be preserved. The National Party rules do not forbid Wisconsin to conduct an open primary. But if Wisconsin does open its primary, it cannot require that Wisconsin delegates to the National Party Convention vote there in accordance with the primary results, if to do so would violate Party rules. Since the Wisconsin Supreme Court has declared that the National Party cannot disqualify delegates who are bound to vote in accordance with the results of the Wisconsin open primary, its judgment is reversed.

It is so ordered.

Hinkle isn't about to turn over a Supreme Court precedent. It is not for the courts to decide rules made up by the party. Florida Democrats are not going to have delegates because Nelson blew off Howard Dean.

MIAMI, Fla.-Florida Democrats have embraced an early primary on Jan. 29 despite the national party's threat to penalize them by taking away half their delegates to the national convention.

Karen Thurman, the party chairwoman, and Sen. Bill Nelson said Monday that the leadership had voted unanimously to accept the date. The state party has to submit a plan to the Democratic National Committee by Friday

Nelson had the audacity to dishonestly lay the blame on Republicans for a primary date he voted to support.

"It says Florida's earlier primary — set by the Republican Legislature and governor — would affect the sequence of contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina."

The Florida Democratic Party has final say over when their party's primary is held. That is why Nelson and Thurman voted on the matter (and ignored Howard Dean's warnings.) If their was any justice Nelson and Thurman would be kicked out of the FDP. Following the lame brain idea of Crist and the Republican legislature is stupidity. Not a valid excuse.

What has alway bugged me about Nelson's grandstanding is he can not be man enough to admit he fucked voters over with his arrogance. Nelsom's lawsuit wasn't about protecting voter rights. Nelson is covering his ass.

Bill Nelson Runs Mouth Again

Will someone please tell Bill Nelson to shut up? He is making the primary situation worse everytime he opens his mouth.

He even bashed the leaders of his party as 'political party bosses in Washington' and accused them, as he has previously, of violating Floridians' right to vote.

'The average citizen in Florida can no longer see their candidates for president,' Nelson said. 'The party bosses have barred them from campaigning here except for private fundraisers. This is unacceptable.'

But Nelson also said he feels 'very, very optimistic' that the situation will be resolved - possibly by reaching a compromise with party officials, or possibly as a result of a lawsuit he and Rep. Alcee Hastings have filed against the Democratic National Committee.

'I think at the end of the day, we will be united. I think at the end of the day we will have the candidates coming to Florida, within a short period of time,' he said.

Not if he keeps alieniating the national party, they won't. Nelson is not known for taking tough stands in the Senate. He caved on the torture bill. Why is he going to suddenly buck the DNC?

Kenneth Quinnell suggested that Nelson wants to be the nominess VP. Nelson would be the worst VP candidate since Bob Dole. He has zero charisma, scant Senate accomplishments and no national name-recognition. If Nelson really is dissing the DNC just for VP then he is delussional.

Worst Headline of the Day

Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell ran this headline for his latest column.


Dems want their votes to count? Join the GOP!


I'm actually surprised the Republicans haven't thought of it first. Maxwell's sales pitch to Democrats is less than convincing.

Seriously, Democrats. March down to your elections office and become a Republican.

That way, come January, you can vote -- for the Republican you like best, the one you dislike the least or, if you wanna be sneaky about it, you can even vote for the Republican that you think would be the easiest for a Democrat to beat in November.

Whatever way you do it, your vote will count -- at least more than it would as a Democrat if the national folks follow through with their threat.

What's more, after you vote Republican, you can switch back -- and vote in the regular Democratic primaries in September.

What Maxwell proposes has about 30 seconds of thought. Florida, under Maxwell's plan, would be like South Carolina's open primary. Democrats would have to switch party affiliation. Vote for a candidate for a party they have no interest in then vote for a candidate of either party in the general election. What exactly is this suppose to achieve?

Republicans should nominate Republicans and Democrats should nominate Democrats. Otherwise, we need up with Ron Paul and Joe Biden.