Ex-Civil Rights Commission head asks DNC to settle delegate fight

[flashl]

Source: Miami Herald

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The woman who oversaw a federal report documenting voter disenfranchisement during Florida's disputed 2000 presidential election is asking the Democratic Party to settle a fight with Florida and Michigan before the party harms itself.

Mary Frances Berry, who served as U.S. Commission on Civil Rights chairwoman until 2004, is concerned that there will be a "bloody" battle at the August convention over the seating of delegates from the two states that have been punished by the Democratic National Committee.

She and Roger Wilkins, a George Mason University history professor and former Justice Department official involved in the civil rights movement, sent party leader Howard Dean the letter by e-mail Sunday.

"Public floor fights have served the Party badly in the past. They left deep-seated ill will and preceded Democratic Party defeats in 1968, and 1972," the letter said. "Resolution of this issue is a matter of fairness, justice and practicality."

Miami Herald

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/405878.html

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A "bloody" battle at the August convention? Sounds like must see teevee.

[Wizard777]

1. After that Impeachments off the table wisecrack.

I think a bloody battle is exactly what the convention needs. In fact I don't see how it will be avoidable. There is a huge part of the democrat party that is extremely unhappy with the elected. Pelosi will probably be pelted with rotten peaches or whatever people can get their hand on to throw at her. This convention will not be pretty. This delegate thing is really just a little issue amongst some pretty big beefs with the Party.

[suston96]

2. The Dems lost 2 general elections over similar issues. Better get this done.

[ursi]

3. what a bunch of staged crap ...the legislatures from those states made those decisions

and signed it in to law. That's who they need to take it up with ...their own elected official. Sue them!

[krkaufman]

4. I've got no problem seating the MI & FL delegates ...

... just as soon as they conduct free & fair primaries with all competitors on the ballot and with a sufficient amount of time for campaigning and advertising.

Seating the delegates as determined by the tainted primaries would risk disenfranchisement of the voters of states that conducted contested primaries and caucuses.

[Demeter]

6. Hear! Hear!

That would be the only fair thing to do!

[krkaufman]

7. Yep! And the cost should be on Michigan & Florida's Dem party and state.

Now, if the DNC were to pony-up some cash, it might help mend fences... but I expect the cost would be prohibitive. (And I've heard that the Florida Dem party is hurting for cash, already.)

[Demeter]

10. The DLC are the Traitors--This Was Their Bright Idea

[krkaufman]

16. I'm not convinced that it wasn't a DLC ploy.

Front-loading as many primaries as possibly favors the candidate with the best name recognition.

[karynnj]

12. Maybe Obama and HRC should make a joint appeal to raise money for this redo

saying that they want fair elections and this is the way to do it. There is more reason for Obama, but HRC could diffuse any feeling that she was "changing the rules".

[krkaufman]

17. A redo/mulligan would be the best solution...

... were the race to not be clinched. (Though I'd prefer they redo ASAP, before they become the last 2 states voting/caucusing.)

[krkaufman]

8. p.s. Florida screwed me outta my preference for President in 2000 ...

... and I'll be damned if they're gonna do it again.

[karynnj]

11. Sounds fair to me - and the DNC should volunteer to pay

at least half of the cost, if not all. Especially the MI one should not be used as there is no valid measure of support to use from it. You can't assume that equal percents of people supporting and not supporting HRC came out - nor can you give the entire undecided to Obama.

[MaineDem]

13. The DNC did offer to help.

FL Dems said no thank you.

[karynnj]

14. That is interesting - it does mean that the FL was more to blame

[flashl]

15. The DNC gave FL opportunities for correction, those offers were rejected

It was puzzling when Sen. Nelson and other legislators sought relief in court: Florida Democrats file suit against Dean, DNC for cutting delegates

[krkaufman]

5. Before buying into the "Hillary is the friend of the Florida voter" meme...

... consider this (speculation): http://journals.democraticunderground.com/krkaufman/20

[bluestateguy]

9. Seat the delegates

These states are too important to piss off going into the general election.

As punishment, I would force Michigan and Florida to agree to go to the end of the line for the 2012 primaries.