Full Version: Florida and Michigan Primaries
QUOTE
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Democrats on Thursday proposed a vote-by-mail presidential primary to solve the high-stakes delegate dispute while acknowledging the plan's chances are slim....
Democrats in Florida and Michigan have been struggling to come up with an alternative to ensure their delegates are seated at the national convention this summer after the party punished them for holding early primaries. The pressure to resolve the issue has increased amid the protracted fight for every delegate between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Fortunately, this is a very inclusive process, and we will file the appropriate paperwork," the party said in a statement, also noting that ballots in Florida will be printed in English, Spanish and Creole.
Democrats in Florida and Michigan have been struggling to come up with an alternative to ensure their delegates are seated at the national convention this summer after the party punished them for holding early primaries. The pressure to resolve the issue has increased amid the protracted fight for every delegate between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.
Fortunately, this is a very inclusive process, and we will file the appropriate paperwork," the party said in a statement, also noting that ballots in Florida will be printed in English, Spanish and Creole.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080313/ap_on_...rimary_scramble
Questions for Debate:
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
2) Is this mail-in option the correct one? Why or why not?
3) What language is "Creole" in Florida and why would it be on the ballot?
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
I'd guess whatever the Democrats want to do about it. It's their party (literally). As a Republican, I'm just sitting back and enjoying the food fight.
2) Is this mail-in option the correct one? Why or why not?
It's probably going to tick someone off in the Democrat Party, likely whoever loses, but that's ok by me. Just have to make sure and duck when they start throwing the jello.
3) What language is "Creole" in Florida and why would it be on the ballot?
It's a native language in that region, kind of mixture French, Spanish and Portuguese with some native dialect thrown in. Kinda like the way some people in Louisiana speak Cajun. It may be the native language of a large number of people in Florida, and after all, chances are they were there first.
Aquilla
I'd guess whatever the Democrats want to do about it. It's their party (literally). As a Republican, I'm just sitting back and enjoying the food fight.
2) Is this mail-in option the correct one? Why or why not?
It's probably going to tick someone off in the Democrat Party, likely whoever loses, but that's ok by me. Just have to make sure and duck when they start throwing the jello.
3) What language is "Creole" in Florida and why would it be on the ballot?
It's a native language in that region, kind of mixture French, Spanish and Portuguese with some native dialect thrown in. Kinda like the way some people in Louisiana speak Cajun. It may be the native language of a large number of people in Florida, and after all, chances are they were there first.
Aquilla
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
A: Every American is given certain rights, one is if you are 18 years or older, You are given the right to vote if your a United States Citizen. Not counting Michigan and Florida in the DNC is both ridiculous and unconstitutional. Those citizens voted and there votes need to be counted. Senator Clinton won both of them and that needs to be looked at this could say wheather or not its a neck-to-neck race or one or the other. The primaries need to be counted, If not the original ones, but a do-over.
2) Is this mail-in option the correct one? Why or why not?
A: The mail-in-option at the current time is probally the best route to go. It is the best plan and the most cost effective.
3) What language is "Creole" in Florida and why would it be on the ballot?
A: If I believe right its a language from Cape Verde, many people in this country speak it, not just in Florida.
A: Every American is given certain rights, one is if you are 18 years or older, You are given the right to vote if your a United States Citizen. Not counting Michigan and Florida in the DNC is both ridiculous and unconstitutional. Those citizens voted and there votes need to be counted. Senator Clinton won both of them and that needs to be looked at this could say wheather or not its a neck-to-neck race or one or the other. The primaries need to be counted, If not the original ones, but a do-over.
2) Is this mail-in option the correct one? Why or why not?
A: The mail-in-option at the current time is probally the best route to go. It is the best plan and the most cost effective.
3) What language is "Creole" in Florida and why would it be on the ballot?
A: If I believe right its a language from Cape Verde, many people in this country speak it, not just in Florida.
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
It isn't unconstitutional. There is no recognized constitutional right to vote in a party primary. If there was, then every closed primary ever held was unconstitutional. Florida has a closed primary system, were non-declared voters disenfranchised in the 2000 primaries? In the 2004 primaries?
It's unfortunate that these States decided to do what they did. It is too late to do something about it now. If the DNC allows the delegates without a re-vote, it is setting a very bad precedent and you will see states competing for the first primary spot. Clinton is boo-hooing because it now turns out that it's a tight race. As with other things, Clinton didn't seem to mind that the Michigan and Florida primaries weren't going to count when she was the front-runner.
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
QUOTE(JOEYFORCLINTON08)
Every American is given certain rights, one is if you are 18 years or older, You are given the right to vote if your a United States Citizen. Not counting Michigan and Florida in the DNC is both ridiculous and unconstitutional. Those citizens voted and there votes need to be counted. Senator Clinton won both of them and that needs to be looked at this could say wheather or not its a neck-to-neck race or one or the other. The primaries need to be counted, If not the original ones, but a do-over.
It isn't unconstitutional. There is no recognized constitutional right to vote in a party primary. If there was, then every closed primary ever held was unconstitutional. Florida has a closed primary system, were non-declared voters disenfranchised in the 2000 primaries? In the 2004 primaries?
It's unfortunate that these States decided to do what they did. It is too late to do something about it now. If the DNC allows the delegates without a re-vote, it is setting a very bad precedent and you will see states competing for the first primary spot. Clinton is boo-hooing because it now turns out that it's a tight race. As with other things, Clinton didn't seem to mind that the Michigan and Florida primaries weren't going to count when she was the front-runner.
QUOTE(entspeak @ Mar 23 2008, 08:56 PM) 
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
By all means, do nothing. I don't think the Democrats should seat either delegation. They broke the rules, the hell with Michigan and Florida.
But, since I am a compassionate conservative Republican, I do feel sorry for those poor Democrats in Michigan and Florida whose voices were not heard by their party as they echoed quietly into the night. I wonder if there is something that my party might do for them.....
I know! I think the GOP should issue an invitation to those delegates to attend our convention! Give them a McCain sign to wave and let them cheer and holler and have a good time with us! Show them that the P in GOP stands for "PARTY!" Heck, that's more than reaching across the aisle, that's inviting them to join us on the dance floor!
Not a bad idea, Aquilla, not bad at all.
Aquilla
Edited to add.....
Note to Mike....
We need a patting oneself on the back thingy....
QUOTE(Aquilla @ Mar 23 2008, 11:11 PM)
QUOTE(entspeak @ Mar 23 2008, 08:56 PM)
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
By all means, do nothing. I don't think the Democrats should seat either delegation.
Glad you agree.
Oh, and if you believe that Democrats will suddenly subscribe to the positions of Republicans because the State Legislatures screwed up, you've got another think coming.
Has there been any indication from Democrats in either of these states that they would change parties as a result of this situation?
QUOTE(entspeak @ Mar 24 2008, 11:08 AM)
QUOTE(Aquilla @ Mar 23 2008, 11:11 PM)
QUOTE(entspeak @ Mar 23 2008, 08:56 PM)
1) What, if anything, should be done about a re-vote in the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries?
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
Nothing should be done. They knowingly made their choice. If the people of these states are upset, they should be upset with their State Legislatures and Governors.
By all means, do nothing. I don't think the Democrats should seat either delegation.
Glad you agree.
Oh, and if you believe that Democrats will suddenly subscribe to the positions of Republicans because the State Legislatures screwed up, you've got another think coming.
Has there been any indication from Democrats in either of these states that they would change parties as a result of this situation?
I am curious as to how party primaries are the responsibility of the state legislatures. I was under the impression that they were the responsibilities of the state parties. I know in Iowa, the caucuses are scheduled by the individual parties. Is that not true for the primaries as well?
QUOTE(entspeak @ Mar 24 2008, 09:08 AM)
Glad you agree.
Oh, and if you believe that Democrats will suddenly subscribe to the positions of Republicans because the State Legislatures screwed up, you've got another think coming.
Has there been any indication from Democrats in either of these states that they would change parties as a result of this situation?
Oh, and if you believe that Democrats will suddenly subscribe to the positions of Republicans because the State Legislatures screwed up, you've got another think coming.
Has there been any indication from Democrats in either of these states that they would change parties as a result of this situation?
I don't know. But, it would sure be fun to find out. I still think the GOP should invite the members of the Florida and Michigan Democrat delegations to our convention. Might be fun!
QUOTE(Tim)
I am curious as to how party primaries are the responsibility of the state legislatures. I was under the impression that they were the responsibilities of the state parties. I know in Iowa, the caucuses are scheduled by the individual parties. Is that not true for the primaries as well?
The primary contest in Florida was part of a statewide election as it is sometimes in California. Under Florida law, the legislature sets the date for state elections.
Aquilla
QUOTE(Aquilla @ Mar 24 2008, 11:46 AM)
QUOTE(Tim)
I am curious as to how party primaries are the responsibility of the state legislatures. I was under the impression that they were the responsibilities of the state parties. I know in Iowa, the caucuses are scheduled by the individual parties. Is that not true for the primaries as well?
The primary contest in Florida was part of a statewide election as it is sometimes in California. Under Florida law, the legislature sets the date for state elections.
The same is true of the Michigan primary. The date was set by a bill in the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
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