Clinton's Florida "Win" - Florida delegates to be seated?

[babylonsister]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/01/29/politics/fromtheroad/entry3767920.shtml

Clinton's Florida "Win"

(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

DAVIE, FLA. -- Florida Democrats delivered a win to Hillary Clinton tonight, though it was a hollow victory since no delegates were at stake.

"I did not come here in person to ask for your votes, but I am here to thank you for your votes," Clinton said referring to a pledge she signed last year with all the other Democratic presidential candidates. The pledge stated they wouldn't campaign in Florida. After the Florida Democratic Party moved its primary from February 5th January 29th last summer, the Democratic National Committee stripped the state of all its delegates and prompted the candidates' pledge.

Even though this win doesn't help her in the delegate race, Clinton and her campaign set up a victory rally and did all they could to give off the impression that Florida was a big win.

Clinton said, "Floridians wanted their voices heard...I am thrilled to have had this vote of confidence you have given me here today. I will do everything I can to make sure that not only are Florida's Democratic delegates seated, but Florida is in the winning column for the Democrats in 2008."

In fact, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman told CBS News' Peter King tonight that she expects the Florida delegates to eventually be seated.

"In talking with {House}] Speaker {Nancy}] Pelosi and then confirmed by {DNC Chairman Howard}] Dean, they both said that they believe that it would happen," Thurman said.

The Barack Obama campaign knew that a loss in Florida was all but certain and spent most of the day downplaying the win. As the results were announced, Obama spokesman Bill Burton sent reporters an e-mail that read: "Obama and Clinton tie for delegates in Florida. 0 for Obama, 0 for Clinton."
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[aquart]

1. I don't think it should happen.

Not for Florida, not for Michigan. The primaries are out of control.

But if Howard Dean okays it, I'll go with him.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. I was listening to Randi this afternoon, and a very smart caller

reminded me that a good number of these votes had already been cast for HRC before the whole So. Carolina brouhaha, and the momentous endorsements yesterday by the Kennedys. I'm just wondering if some people, like him, now wish they had waited.

[Texas_Kat]

3. Yep, reported by Fineman on MSNBC

gotta love politics

[madfloridian]

4. If the delegates are needed to pick a nominee...they won't be counted.

It is wistful thinking to think they will matter. If they are seated, that is one thing. If they count that is another. They won't be seated if the nomination is contested.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1789

"And we have a vote, state-by-state, the first meaningful state-by-state roll call at a Democratic Convention since 1980. Clinton would need a majority of the delegates (not including Florida and Michigan) to approve the Minority Report.

And then reality strikes. If Clinton can get a majority of delegates to support the Minority Report, than she has a majority of the delegates supporting her anyway, and she doesn't need Michigan and Florida.

But if she doesn't have a majority of the delegates supporting her, its hard to see why delegates supporting other candidates would vote to seat the two delegations, essentially helping her out. After fighting for the nomination for 2 years, why would Obama or Edwards and their delegates give up the fight in this way. It's just not going to happen. The delegations will NOT be seated if the nomination is contested."

[babylonsister]

5. The article in the OP says Dean will seat them. Who is contesting this?

I'm the first to admit I don't know what's going on now, so thanks for any info.

[madfloridian]

7. No, Dean never said he would seat them. That is Karen spinning.

Dean said it would be up to the eventual nominee to decide. And that means IF there is one. They won't count if it is undecided by convention.

Karen says that in every interview. I will see if I can find the original statement by Dean, but it is hard to find because she has repeated it so much. Maybe if I do a search on the topic and then -thurman....I might find it.

[babylonsister]

12. Thanks, madfloridian. I have to smack down some folks, in a nice way. nt

[madfloridian]

13. Heh heh

Be sure to be nice. }(

[joshcryer]

10. You mean if the delegates contest Obama's place, he won't count them.

Which is such an unlikely scenario that I cannot imagine it happening, but many many Obama supporters here seem to be for it.

[JorgeTheGood]

6. They will be seated ... count on it (N/T)

[Joe the Revelator]

8. I think you fail to understand how this would work

In order for this to happen either:

A. Hillary would have to have a majority of delegates going in
B. Obama and Edwards would have to allow their delegates to vote for seating the FLorida democrats. If those delegates will swing the nomination away from Obama or Edwards, then it just won't happen.

Those are the only two ways this can happen. Deal with it before you start making these bold predictions.

[joshcryer]

9. Right, the only way that the delegates wouldn't be seated is if Obama didn't allow it.

Edwards has no reason to not allow it. Obama would. Otherwise he has stated his support for these delegates (even today he made this statement).

[Joe the Revelator]

11. Edwards does have a reason if he wants to remain kingmaker

If he just gives it to Hillary, he's lost all his leverage.

[babylonsister]

14. Do you think Edwards would give up that lobbyist stance and vote for

Clinton? Wouldn't that fly in the face of his message?

[Occam Bandage]

15. Of course the Florida Dem Party would say that. What are they going to say,

"Yeah, we really fucked this up bad?"

[babylonsister]

16. But is the DNC going to fall in line? Dean? nt