So , whats the deal with Florida and Michigan ?

[UndertheOcean]

Is the decision not to give any delegates to those states final ? that sure must kill turnout there.

I am afraid it may push independents towards the GOP

[madfloridian]

1. The two states knew what would happen....they knowingly broke the rules..

And they did not think about the people of their states. Nelson and Levin got a lot of media attention then filed a bill for regional primaries.

They could not wait until after the election, they had to get that attention right then.

Terry McAuliffe warned Michigan in 04 to back off or their delegates would not get near boston

But nobody sued him. There are/were 4 lawsuits against Dean because the DNC followed the rules.

Both states thought they were more important than other states, and did not have to follow the rules because they were so big. They wanted to show how how important they were.

The states were wrong, and the people should replace the state leaders in both parties. It was done to give an evitability to their candidate. It may have backfired badly.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. What are the implications for the General Election though...

[madfloridian]

3. It only affects delegates to choose the nominee.

I don't imagine it will affect the GE.

The whole thing is confusing to everybody. They should never have done it.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. The concern is will it have a depressing effect on Dem turnout, is what I meant.

[madfloridian]

6. Well, if the Florida Dems made the tax amendment a big issue...

and really pointed out the dangers of this amendment which is on the ballot, they could get a huge turnout.

They are not taking a stand for anything like that. We are getting mail form the firefighters and police to vote against it because jobs will be cut in their sector as there will be no money for salaries.

But nothing from the Democrats in the state.

[mac2]

5. The DLC party leaders

seem to want to lose the election once again. Why haven't they changed the "primary rules" so more states have a say in the primarys?

[flashl]

7. Florida's Jan primary date saga ...

Primary confusion

In Tallahassee last week, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle did all Floridians a favor when he refused to reschedule the Jan. 29 presidential primary.

The judge's ruling came in the face of requests that he issue a temporary injunction to push the primary back. The plaintiffs wanted the state to comply with national rules of both major parties.

Mr. Hinkle wisely said no — apparently not mainly because he felt the opposing arguments from the state were so superior, but because it was too close to the election to avoid substantial disruption.

With the Florida primary now just three weeks and a day away, rescheduling it would have been costly — not only in terms of the actual dollars spent in the chaotic aftermath of such a ruling, but, perhaps more importantly, the damage that would have been inflicted on the already weakened credibility of the presidential primary process.