I thnk Bill Nelson just declared the battle is beginning.

[madfloridian]

He did that once before, if you remember. He decided he would take the lead in Florida. Karen Thurman in effect turned the party over to him, and he was boss.

A few months ago he declared "I will lead the delegates to Denver whether or not the DNC plans to let them in."

The state party would have 30 days to change its plan before the sanctions would go into effect, but instead Florida's Democratic lawmakers say they will fight back. Sen. Bill Nelson told reporters in a conference call Friday that he'll lead the delegates to Denver whether or not the DNC plans to let them in.

"We are quite concerned that Florida Democrats are going to lose their right to vote," Nelson said. "And of all states, we have the sensitivity of this because of what we have gone through.

Like a battle cry. Nelson style.

Tonight he gave another battle cry in Davie, Florida, with Hillary on the podium with him after her victory here. Sounds to me like a warning that he and Hillary will win, and the rest of us better look out.



Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (second from left) thanks supporters with Congressman Bill Nelson of Florida, Congressman Alcee Hastings of Florida, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-F.L.) (left-right) after polls closed at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida on Tuesday, January 29, 2008.

Clinton celebration in Florida

Here is the statement he made that I am wary about.

"In this primary, some even tried to silence our state," Nelson said as he endorsed Clinton from the stage Tuesday night. "Hillary Clinton will never let that happen."

First it is not true, Florida silenced its own voice. Secondly, it does sound like a full speed ahead get out of our way warning.

I don't like that at all.

Obama's campaign declared Florida a hollow victory for Clinton, dispatching former presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry to urge reporters to reject her campaign's effort to make Florida relevant.

"The bottom line is: Florida does not offer any delegates," Kerry said. "It's not a legitimate race, it should not become a fabricated race, it should not become a spin race.

Good for John Kerry for speaking against the manipulative way Hillary handled Florida. There is more in the article, but that is the sense of it.

May I also compliment Simon Rosenberg for his statement on this subject. Simon co-founded the DLC with the Clintons, so it is highly significant he takes this step.

Having worked on the New Hampshire primary and in the War Room in 1992 for the Clintons, I was present at the creation of the famous "rapid response" campaign style and fierce fighting spirit of the Clinton era. In the very first meeting of the famous War Room James Carville warned us "that if you don't like to eat sh-- everyday you shouldn't be in politics." So I understand as well as anyone that this is a tough game, not for the faint of heart.

But there is a line in politics where tough and determined becomes craven and narcissistic, where advocacy becomes spin, and where integrity and principle is lost. I am concerned that this Florida gambit by the Clinton campaign is once again putting two of my political heroes too close - or perhaps over - that line. So that even if they win this incredible battle with Barack Obama they will end up doing so in a way that will make it hard for them to bring the Party back together, and to lead the nation to a new and better day.

Back to Bill Nelson. He has been attacking the DNC for over a year now. The judge ruled against Nelson in his lawsuit against the DNC. He is still angry.

It sounds like a warning.

On Bay News 9 tonight A Democratic spokesperson, Bob Buckhorn, said it was pretty well known Hillary would win here. He said she had "an institutional advantage" in this state.

[ErnestoG]

1. Go DINO BILL!

rrrrrAAAAAAAAWWWWWWRrrrrrr!!!

[AX10]

2. K & R!

[babylonsister]

3. Bill Nelson? He's a no-account Dem in my book. Good catch, Hil. nt

[madfloridian]

4. He's not one of my favorites, either.

I dread calling his office. They just tell us anything at all.

[comradebillyboy]

5. Why, did you support Katherine Harris

instead of Bill Nelson? Not pure enough for you? or are you just pissed he didn't support your messiah Obama?

[madfloridian]

6. There have been so many incredibly amazingly stunningly

silly statements here at DU tonight....without any merit...that it makes me wonder about what the goal is.

[1corona4u]

40. Democracy?

Just a guess....

[Capn Sunshine]

50. The goal is win at any cost

witness the vitriol and negativity here. It's about winning, not politics.
I'm going back to the phone bank now.

[madfloridian]

52. Yes, Capn, I fear you are right.

I think 2004 was on hold for the inevitability of 2008. I think we have only thought we had a say.

We voted for Obama here. Some of our friends did as well, ones who had been planning to vote otherwise. It wasn't anything we said, it was what they sensed.

I feel really down about all of it right now.

[babylonsister]

7. Look at his voting record. But then again, the other Nelson supports Obama,

and his record is really bad, too. No, Obama isn't a messiah so that's weird you'd say that. I think he's the best person for the job, but he's not perfect, nor are the people who endorse him.

Obama I feel I can trust. I haven't been able to say that in a very long time.

[comradebillyboy]

18. babylonsister, good response

I made the messiah comment because it's my impression that so many here seem to think of him that way. I disagree with you regarding Obama, but I certainty respect your point of view in this matter. Please forgive the snark directed towards your earlier post.

[flordehinojos]

8. kerry is sullying florida's soil

and he should be banned from stepping on florida soil...o, it was a legitimate race when thousands of floridians gave our votes to him in 2004 ... not so now because his pick did not win the no-delegates people's vote from the state of florida.

we have floridians have sent a powerful message and snoot nose and his betray us general are just afraid of the message florida sent.

you go bill nelson. you take those delegates to the convention and you make them count ... and even if they don't count you seat them there and you let snoot nose snoot at them all he wants let the camera capture his lord snootiness snooting at them...and let truth be told ... obama is a snooty lord.

[madfloridian]

11. That is just plain ugly and nonsensical.

There is no commonsense in your statement, just hate.

John Kerry is a good man, and Obama is lucky to have him.

[demo dutch]

57. John Kerry was a weak candidate, the fact is people voted against Bush and not for Kerry

[UALRBSofL]

12. Kerry is a snake

To think I voted for him and now he doesn't even care about the folks of florida. Shame on you Kerry.

[madfloridian]

13. Kerry is a good man. Nelson is manipulating us in Florida...hoping for VP

He is a man whose goals are for himself.

[babylonsister]

16. And you're ignorant. I can prove it with your post. What makes you think...never mind.

You're still ignorant.

[babylonsister]

14. Wow. Now your ignorance is affirmed if you think that. You go, Bill Nelson, in FL?

You have always impressed me, but this takes the cake.

[Dr.Phool]

30. I can see it now.

Bill Nelson, Karen Thurman, and Schultz seated in one of those free speech cages, like they used for protesters in NYC, a half mile from the convention site.



You go Bill!

[tomreedtoon]

33. There IS no Florida Democratic Party.

It's all Republicans. The Message you speak of is:

"We offer only token resistance to Republican rule in Florida. We are the Washington Generals to their All-White Harlem Globetrotters, their Renfields to their Dracula. You will obey! You will obey! You will..."

I remember when Bill Nelson used to do a weekly public affairs program on TV in Florida. He looked and sounded and acted just like the Republicans. He had no progressive agenda, and I swear I can't personally remember any time he had a black or Hispanic guest on his little propaganda fest. IMHO he can go party with Lieberman.

[Tatiana]

9. Thanks for this important information, madfloridian. Nelson is DESPICABLE.

Bill Nelson is a disgrace to Floridians and to all democrats.

But that is beyond the point. He is going to mount a challenge:

• Delegates and alternates selected pursuant to a Plan found in non-compliance by the RBC shall not be included on the list of delegates and alternates reported to the Secretary by the RBC for inclusion on the Temporary Roll of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
  
• Delegates and alternates shall not be placed on the Temporary Roll until after the period during which a challenge may be brought pursuant to the Rules and Reg. 3.4 has expired and until no challenges to a Plan are pending.
  
• Pursuant to Rule 6.C.(2), a state’s at-large delegates and alternates may not be included on the Temporary Roll until the RBC has determined that the state’s delegation complies with the equal division requirements of the Rules.

I think everyone should email Gov. Dean and tell him what we think:

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/chairman

[Texas_Kat]

21. Item 3 doesn't really relate to the issue

The burning question becomes at what point does the "Temporary Roll of the 2008 Democratic National Convention" expire and the Permanent Roll instated (if that's a word).

The equal division requirement relates to the makeup of the delegations and the proportion of each delegate demographic slot as outlined by the Party.

[demo dutch]

58. It's the only Dem, florida can cough up. I rather have Nelson than another Repug down here

[calteacherguy]

10. I'm so sick of this kind of politics. Absolutely sick of it. Great post. nt

[AtomicKitten]

15. Enough of this kind of bulldozer politics!

K&R!

[madfloridian]

17. Yes, enough.

Bill has an inflated sense of his own importance.

[comradebillyboy]

19. don't they all? nt

[tsuki]

34. Nelson can stand up to anyone but a Republican. nt

[Quixote1818]

20. It almost reminds me of when James Baker came out for Bush down in Florida 2000

Kind of creepy.

[madfloridian]

22. Baker, the Bush go to guy.

Nelson...well you finish the sentence.

[babylonsister]

23. Is there any way to neutralize Nelson, yesterday? He is scary and seems

really worthy of getting rid of. Is he up for reelection? Anyone on the horizon nominally better?

[ErnestoG]

27. One day they'll find his fossilized bones and give him his DINO name

Nelsosaurus Hillarcanus, likely...

[juajen]

29. That is up to Florida. They love their Senator. He is a former

astronaut and beloved by many. I believe Florida should be held to strict sanctions for disobeying, but, I do not believe they should not be seated at the Convention. That is just totally undemocratic. All candidates had an even playing field in Florida, with one getting away with an ad. Their delegates should count. We cannot be an exclusive party.

[Dr.Phool]

32. Former astronaut my ass.

He's a career politician, who happened to hitch a ride on the space shuttle because he sat on the congressional committee that controlled NASA's budget.

Technically, if you've traveled above a certain altitude, you're an astronaut. But in his case, it's like a hobo claiming to be a railroader because he's traveled in a boxcar.

Love him? Spend 10 minutes talking to him, and you'll find the most misinformed, arrogant son of a bitch this side of Dick Cheney.

[ErnestoG]

59. I see he has a little Mitt Romney in him....

with his tendency to uhm....strain the truth.

[Coexist]

37. He will have the seat forever because people think only a severe moderate Dem can win here.

Because Katherine Harris would have been so hard to beat.

[Dr.Phool]

31. Better to neuter him.

We're stuck with him for 4 more years. His only asset in the last election was that he wasn't Katherine Harris.

I've never met a dumber Senator. He seems to live in a fantasy land.

[tsuki]

35. We need to start now finding a candidate to run against him. nt

[Proud2BAmurkin]

24. What do you think they'll be doing, carrying brickbats?

[madfloridian]

44. Words.

All it takes is words.

[Knox Harrington]

25. YES!!!

This is great!! Let Obama be seen as a whiner trying to stop Floridians from voting. If, God forbid, HRC needs the Florida delegates, then we should all make damn sure she gets the Florida delegates.

This whole "pledge" thing is ridiculous. I have to say, if Obama was really dumb enough to get suckered into that, how is he going to stand up to the Repubs, or (even worse) countries that want to harm the USA?? I guess he'll just "negotiate" with them..... Good luck with that.

[madfloridian]

26. LOL

Unique point of view.

[joshcryer]

28. Such a non-post. Are you trying to say HRC and her supporters are going to attempt a coup?

A coup against the system they agreed upon from the start? What a joke of epic proportions. The media going off on how there would be lawsuits and such. What a joke, the whole fucking non-controversey.

[madfloridian]

43. Not a non post. A true one. Not funny either.

What happened in Florida is no joke at all.

[Coexist]

36. So BILL NELSON is a hero?! Kerry is a bad Dem?!

you people are too funny.


Madfloridian, thank you for another sane and informed post. Us Floridians who are sick of the purposeful twisting of the facts do appreciate it. There was a poster in another thread who actually compared the FDPs childish tantrum to the Revolutionary War. I am serious.

[whistle]

41. I just would like to see Bill Nelson take similar stands against Bush

...and RW republicans and the fraudulent voting machines, etc.

[Coexist]

42. that might make him cry...

he just couldn't do it.

[Avalux]

38. Amazing how supposed progressives jump on the DLC DINO bandwagon.

Ugh.

[Sancho]

39. Nelson is not my favorite either....

I'm hoping that Christine Jennings or Bulldozer Busansky can get elected. Even Clint Curtis. We need some new blood down here! I think a couple of those people would try and fix the rigged elections, too!

Nelson is not really sounding good on this. I think the delegates should be seated, but it was likely dumb for Florida to move the date.

[demo dutch]

60. Not my favorite, but I'll take Nelson over any Repug. Imagine another Martinez!

[Midwest Progressive]

45. Howard Dean is helping Republicans

Not seating the Florida and Michigan delegations just compounds his mistake of killing their primaries.

Note to Howard - Democrats need Michigan and Florida more than you and your ego.

[madfloridian]

47. Yes, he wants the Republicans to win. I am very sure of that.

He is a Democrat-hater.

[Midwest Progressive]

48. No, Dean's ego and poor judegement are helping Republicans

Hopefully most of his damage will be undone when Michigan and Florida are seated - and they will be.

[madfloridian]

51. Are you kin to that other "progressive" fellow?

Hmmmm.

[madfloridian]

54. Yes, Dean hates Democrats and wants the Republicans to win.

.

[JAbuchan08]

55. another "{progressive" Hillary supporter

I wonder how many of those 62 posts are pro-DLC

[demo dutch]

61. Mad floridian, that's an insane statement.Besides you recently anounced thatyou didn't care anymore

so why blog on the subject!

[madfloridian]

64. I did not think I needed the sarcasm tag.

I have not lowered my expectations enough. Dropping...

[madfloridian]

46. Where is Nelson getting these numbers?

I have read and heard comments that he said several times that 2.5 million Democrats voted in Florida yesterday. I don't think that is true, and I would like to know where he got the figure.

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson used the opportunity to announce his endorsement of Clinton. "So goes Florida, so goes the nation," Nelson said to wild cheers and applause. "The pundits who say that Florida doesn't count cannot ignore 2.5 million Florida Democrats that have voted today and given an overwhelming victory to Sen. Clinton. It is my privilege as a part of the Nelson family that have been personal friends of the Clintons for two decades. Our children know each other. It's my pleasure at the first opportunity that I had because of the pledge to come forth and say I endorse Hillary Clinton."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/29/62041...

But here are the figures from the AP.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h9rHJWtFr01mL8BYK-Ll...

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A close Republican presidential race and a proposal to lower property taxes brought out Florida voters in large numbers Tuesday.

Turnout was estimated at 30 percent, with about 3 million voters casting ballots — 1.4 million Democrats and 1.6 million Republicans. That was well up from the approximately 20 percent who cast ballots in the 2000 and 2004 presidential primaries, which was held after the nominees were decided, and the 2006 gubernatorial primary.

[ErnestoG]

62. He pulled them from outer space, during his illustrious career as an astronaut

...put out his hand....

....and touched the face of God.....

[demo dutch]

63. Uummm the board of elections maybe? America's primary system is about the corn

We're selecting candidates for the most important job in the world via a process that's less rational than the one used to choose Miss Kumquat of Pasco County, Florida.
How did we end up with this ridiculous system? We got it through endless petty squabbling, in both parties, over the issue of which states get to go first. That's right: When confronted with what should be a minor procedural problem, the leaders of America's major political parties can't even work intelligently with their own allies, let alone their opponents. This is why, no matter who wins in November, I am optimistic about the future of the nation. (I'm referring to Uzbekistan.)

[Sancho]

65. The number who tried to vote is very different than the number counted in FL!

Nelson probably was counting the number who tried to vote....a million votes here, a million there...what the heck?!

[truebrit71]

49. Nelson is nutty as a fruitbat...completely out of his tree...

Crazy old looney needs to shut up and go play shuffle board...

[PassingFair]

53. Those DAMN NELSONS SUCK ASS. Lucky for them they're so HOT!

I only vote for them based on their looks.

They VOTE like Republicans.

[cooolandrew]

56. Bless Hillary Clinton, I will try to stay gracious as much as I can. All the best Hilary.

[mdmc]

66. some people are above the law