Read the commenting rules carefully because they will be enforced!
Wow talking about not being heard, I'll try again. 1/2 and 1/2 HAD to be the outcome. Clintonians talking about taking things to a higher authority, they should have been dragged out of the ballroom for such childish yelling and behavior. I sat all day and listened to the rules, the valid arguments and the relevant differences in the interpretation of DNC rules. And then about three hours in, people got up and played on emotion, blamed their LOCALLY ELECTED republican governor for why they broke the rules. It was a complete circus. Honestly I feel that florida should not have counted at all because they should have voted for a democratic GOVERNOR in "good faith" instead of waiting for a presidential primary to play the blame game. You want local politics to change? Where was the fire and excitement beforehand? Politics in Florida will never change permanently unless the "proud Floridians" take a little self responsibility and get the grassroots moving when there's not so much presidential politic action, lets call it being politically active instead of politically reactive.(funny how the latter has a divisive effect. Anyone else notice that the Obama supporters have been (for the most part) respectful today, yet the Clinton supporters are angry over the rules being inforced? I'm a 21 yr old college student, female, and haven't seen that much blatant disrespect since freshman year high school. WHERE HAVE ALL THE GROWN UPS GONE????
Did you hear the report at the end first report: "Grandmother gets a little exercise." How objective was that?
The Democrats in Florida and New York are pissed off (and that's putting it mildly).
Popcorn anyone? Who's got the soda?
It's premature to think this will doom the Democrats in 2008. There's a comparable schism developing among Republican-leaning voters, though not over the same subject. Indeed, I'm doing my best to intensify it.
We're in a situation where no matter which of the presidential candidates wins, the United States loses. It's time for a revolt against the major parties. Only by denying them all support can we possibly induce them to correct their behavior.
This is only the beginning of the end for the Democrats as a party. They may very well not survive this. Millions of voters will jump ship permanently to the GOP over this. They will never again vote Democrat.
Millions of swing voters will defect after this. As angry as many voters are with the GOP, they are even more angry with the Democrats, Obama, and the DNC. I have been saying for months now that McCain will win in a landslide. The moonbats' dreams of 300 House seats and 60 Senate seats is over. They will be lucky to hold onto either chamber in November. The Dems have sorely underestimated voter anger in November.
When the GOP was in charge, laws were passed and things got done. Since 2006 this country has fallen far. It will get much worse unless voters realize the Dems are not a viable alternative in the 21st century.
Once the smoke clears in Denver, the GOP needs to make every effort to reach out to the millions of folks who will say "I am forever done with the Democrats and their liberal agenda."
It seems to me that 40% uncommitted should have meant that 40% of the delegates would go to the convention ---- UNCOMMITTED! Now there's a thought --- delegates who represent the people's vote! How can anyone else read into it that one candidate should get all of those votes? Mark me ---- a Republican vote mainly because once again the Democrats try to exert their personal will over us ---- the real voters.
I think it is time for the members of the Democratic party to take back control from an obviously flawed DNC. If the majority of people in Florida voted for Hillary then she should have the majority of the delegates not an equal amount. I fail to see why the DNC insists on supporting a candidate who has nothing to offer but empty rhetoric, denies knowing the values held by his pastor of twenty years,and who makes statements saying we have the greatest nation in history, now let's start changing it.
Sorry, but the truth is NONE of the delegates should be seated from both Florida and Michigan. Rules are rules, and both of the Democratic parties in these two states knew that they would lose their delegates if they ran the elections early.
But I guess rules are not to be followed, much less obeyed, if you are a Democrat, right?
You people make me sick.
Lightwave,
I will not vote for Obama. He has been shoved down our throats by both the DNC (Dean) and the media. However, that does not mean that I won't vote democratic in the future. We must remember that to vote is one of our greatest privileges. No matter what anyone else says the polls should speak for the people - we need to protect that privilege. Rmember what happened in Florida in 2000.
I for one am a VERY ALIENATED Democrat!!! I feel that the Democratic Party has gone so far left that I can no longer identify with it! I'm FURIOUS about Florida and Michigan! I feel that the press was totally biased in Obama's favor! I simply cannot vote for Obama. I feel he's nothing but a smooth talker who will promise or say anything to get elected. I just don't trust him and I don't like Michelle! Surprisingly, I find myself (same with my husband, family and friends) deciding to vote for John McCain.... To most Obama supporters that would make me a racist, so be it!
we welcome you Darlene
TJ, that is not exactly true.
http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/
...ectionrules.pdf
Rule 20(c)(1) of the DNC Rules on Selection of Delegates (27 page PDF file-link above)at the time the date changes were enacted by Michigan and Florida stated: (On page #24 of the PDF)
Violation of timing: In the event the Delegate Selection Plan of a state party provides or permits a meeting, caucus, convention or primary which constitutes the first determining stage in the presidential nominating process to be held prior to or after the dates for the state as provided in Rule 11 of these rules, or in the event a state holds such a meeting, caucus, convention or primary prior to or after such dates, the number of pledged delegates elected in each category allocated to the state pursuant to the Call for the National Convention shall be reduced by fifty (50%) percent, and the number of alternates shall also be reduced by fifty (50%) percent. In addition, none of the members of the Democratic National Committee and no other unpledged delegate allocated pursuant to Rule 8.A. from that state shall be permitted to vote as members of the state’s delegation. In determining the actual number of delegates or alternates by which the state’s delegation is to be reduced, any fraction below .5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and any fraction of .5 or greater shall be rounded up to the next nearest whole number.
So, isn't Dean ultimately responsible for this mess by changing the rules about the penalty during the campaign season?
Fact is Michigan was prepared to accept the original penalty to have their primary early. every one would have voted and half the delegates would have counted.
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008...2007-12-
01.html
It was in December of 2007 (link above) AFTER Michigan scheduled the early primary, accepting the dnc RULES which would give them the half delegate penalty that DEAN and R &B Committee CHANGED the rules midstream and voted to strip all delegates...THEN Obama took his name off the ballot.
So, it wasn't Clinton's fault, NOR the voters...so you suggest they be punished AND Obama get delegates he didn't receive in a fair vote because the politicians were playing power games?
Sorry, but Dean screwed up by changing the rules midstream and the Clinton voters have every right to be pissed off and feel the Democratic party screwed them.
hence, them deciding to vote for McCain or not vote at all.
Obama could have said, let the vote count, he could have left his name on the ballot...anything to show respect for the people that voted..he didn't and they blame him for it, as they should as well as Dean and the whole DNC.
Chris, Betty, Democrat for Democracy, welcome to Wake up America.
No reason you cannot vote for McCain then IF the Democrats pick a candidate next time that you approve of and can get behind, then you change registration back to the Dem ticket.
Always better to vote on policy, safety, experience and character than just "party" anyway.
That is why I switched from the Democratic party years ago and now am a proud Republican.
I question how many people here are sincere. I also question how many people here care about this issues. I also question how many people here are ethical.
I am a very caring person D. And have a high code of ethics. But what I've seen with the leadership of Dean these last 4 years and with the do nothing Democratic Congress this last 2 has led me away from being a Democrat and I'm now a firm Independent.
I really didn't leave the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party left me.
Commenting by HaloScan
