Hillsborough DEC chair says Dean not welcome in Florida. Laughs at him. Rude.

[madfloridian]

He is going to be in Tallahassee for a fundraiser next month. I happened on this article where the Hillsborough chair is absolutely laughing, even as they entertain Obama there.

My county is just as bad. My chair is one who sent an email saying to stop fundraising.

This is tasteless and rude. A state of fools and people who lack the class to be gracious. This kind of boorish behavior is going to divide our party so badly.

Florida rudeness to a chairman who gives the state $350,000 a year

Plus he bailed the state party out to the tune of $200,000 in 05.

Meanwhile, the primary controversy isn't keeping Howard Dean away. He's scheduled to be in Tallahassee Oct. 9 for a $100-per-person fundraiser. (Suggested amount..not required)

Hillsborough Democratic chairman Mike Suarez burst out laughing at that news Tuesday.

"I'm not too sure that he's the best person to be doing fundraising in Florida at the moment," Suarez said of Dean.

This is humiliating to me to see the Democrats in my state acting like this.

There is never an excuse for this kind of behavior toward other Democrats. Bill Nelson, Wasserman-Schultz and Alcee Hastings are acting rude enough as it is.

I think it is courageous of Dean to come to a fundraiser with Karen Thurman and other party Democrats present. And I believe states sometimes get to keep some of the fundraising.

Wasserman-Schultz helps Nelson lead the battle against the DNC.

[monktonman]

1. what Florida's beef with Ho-Ho?

please explain, I'm intrigued

[madfloridian]

3. I kept a chronological rundown.

Bottom line, Florida voted for the rules set out by the DNC. They knew that is they failed to fight the GOP in moving the primary up, they would lose delegates. They used it to lie about the DNC and to get attention.

Here is how I tried to present it since the media was not doing its job.

Enough of this. Florida Democrats now threaten Dean and the DNC with a "voting rights probe".
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1453

The "appropriate legal official" to "investigate" Dean and the DNC...is...Gonzales.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1452

Nelson: "I will lead the delegates to Denver whether or not the DNC plans to let them in."
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1455

Two summaries of the DNC committee ruling about Florida.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1456

Florida sowed the seeds of a propaganda war against the DNC.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1458

Proof. Vindication. Both Florida parties did it for "relevance." From March.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1459

The latest Florida propaganda tactic here about attacking the DNC...local email.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1460

Florida's Geller joked about his amendment: "sarcasm and audible laughter in chamber"
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1461

One Florida county is saying there will be further bloodshed. Much argument here today.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1462

Florida Democratic Party website building anger toward the DNC
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1465

Democratic activist sues over loss of Florida delegates
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1466

"Dean was conciliatory and offered DNC help for the state"..hour long phone call
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1467

Gelber admits they did not fight the GOP about the primary.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1468

"Primary bully Florida ought to be ashamed"...four articles catch on to Florida's primary ploy.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1469

Bill Nelson today will file a bill for regional primaries...but first he had to get your attention
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1478

Bill Nelson today: "DNC penalties unacceptable, unacceptable, unacceptable"
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1479

Carl Levin and Terry McAuliffe made a deal about primaries in 2004.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1483

Email from Florida DEC chairs saying not to give to the DNC or candidates.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1481

[monktonman]

8. holy smokes batman thats alot of reading

After browsing a bit I get it.
Howard Dean is a very smart man and an even better leader.
I got to vote for him as my governor twice.
Met him on a few occasions.One time I was really drunk and he told
me what I had asked him was the dumbest thing he'd ever heard. I dont remember what it was, like I said I was really drunk and at the time was dealing with some alcohol issues (blacking out) but I still remember that and how cool he was for basically telling to go screw myself and then he hailed me a cab.
I will always be a Ho-Ho fan
(ho-ho is what we call him in Vermont)

[madfloridian]

10. That's funny.

Yes,it's a lot of reading cause it's a lot of propaganda....my state did a great job on planning the whole thing.

Thanks for sharing the story. :D

[monktonman]

13. yeah not so proud of the drunk part

been sober for awhile now but Ho-Ho has a way of making everyday
shmoes feel like they matter. very charming and friendly in person.
Very cool guy.

[Yukari Yakumo]

15. Basically, it'a devolved into ego-stroking for FL Dem "leaders". {nt}

uguu

[Justitia]

16. Outrage: The FL Dem Chairwoman is an employee of the FL GOP Chairman!

No kidding, he pays her $3,500 / mo to lobby congress for him!

She HID this fact when she became Chairwoman of the FL Dem Party, and still has never officially disclosed that to them - she was outed in the newspaper.

Major conflict of interest, not to mention party ethics.

And THIS is the same snake that decided to give up her state's delegates knowing she was in violation of our party rules.

WTF is up with the FL State Dem Party???? Poison pill Party?

[blm]

19. Basically, it's a Clinton construction to get Dems to turn out Dean as Chairman

of the party - just as some of us predicted in 2005.

[ChiciB1]

27. You Are So Good... I've Said It Before & I Agree With You So Much!

As a person who lives here, not only do we have to deal with the National CRAP, we get the CRAP here too!

I could say so much more, but YOU'VE GOT IT covered!

Thanks again, for all you do!

[madfloridian]

2. No matter what stance Floridians have on this...they should NOT accept this

type of behavior. It is not deserved. I am ashamed and embarrassed.

[madfloridian]

5. But even as I say we should not accept such behavior....

I know we will. I don't think many really see the significance, and I don't think many care.

I am not sure why, perhaps because of my outspokenness. Doesn't really matter. Florida has accepted this stuff way too long.

He is coming to fundraise for the state. He offered them almost a million if they tried an alternative to the primary. They would not. Ridiculing is a tactic of people who don't have much else going for them.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Why put out the welcome carpet for the man that has disenfranchised Florida Democrats?

Voter disenfranchisement used to be a GOP monopoly, until Chairman Dean's DNC decided to play the same dastardly game on Democratic voters in Florida and Michigan.

And for what? To protect Iowa's "GAWD-given" right to make the wrong choice again for the rest of us?

"I'm an ethanol man!"

-- George W. Bush
Iowa, 2000

[monktonman]

9. Dude, read some of the articles above

I'm sure you'll change your mind

[Justitia]

14. So why does FL not have to play by the same rules as my state (TX), which is way bigger?

Why should f'ing FL decide they get to go before us? Screw FL, TX should come before them!
Except, we know better than to cut off our nose to spite our face.

The FL State Dem Party screwed the pooch and now wants to look like badasses in staring down the DNC.

Well, fuck them AND the horse they rode in on.

Move to the back of the line and play by the same rules as the rest of us.

After their stupid bullshit in 2000, they are the LAST state to have any claim to special treatment.

The FL Dem Party looks like a bunch of dumb assholes.
I hope they get frozen out of the nominating convention - they deserve that and so much more.

[lojasmo]

24. Florida Democratic leaders are defiling the DNC rules....

That THEY FUCKING VOTED FOR.

Boo fucking hoo for them.

[robcon]

6. There needs to be compromise on the primariy dates.

The sniping will continue until the leaders get their acts together.

[madfloridian]

7. If you agree with treating a party leader like this....then I will just

not pay much attention to what else you say. Dean is following party rules, the state is breaking them and blaming him.

You can keep saying that all over this board, but if you accept behavior like that I will not be interested in much you say. Sorry.

[robcon]

18. Your post has nothing to do with whatt I wrote, madfloridian.

I have no problem understanding the "facts" that the state violated the DNC rules.

I'm just arguing that a face-saving compromise is not only needed, but doable, if the parties stop sniping at each other, and try to find a middle ground.

If your argument is that only one side has to move, you're part of the problem, along with the principals in this drama, madfloridian. Face-saving compromise is what is needed, not proclamations that one side is "right."

[flashl]

20. Fl rejected offer and funding to conduct its own caucus after Feb 5. n/t

[robcon]

21. Your point seems to depend on me not knowing the facts, flashl.

The caucus, (really a state convention to select delegates) is an anti-democratic and anti-Democratic proposal, and was appropriately not considered a serious proposal.

What's needed is behind-the-scenes negotiation, so both sides can have a joint press conference to announce the resolution. A DNC press release offering an anti-democratic proposal is exactly what is not needed.

I'm not saying that the hidden negotiations between the DNC and the Florida Democratic Party aren't occurring - I don't know - but I hope they are. As I've said - the compromise is doable.

[flashl]

25. A caucus is Anti-democratic? That's news. n/t

[robcon]

28. Sorry to break your bubble, flashl. a caucus is undemocratic.

Of course a caucus as described in the DNC press release is undemocratic compared to a secret ballot. What the DNC proposed was a state Democratic convention to appoint electors who will vote at the national convention. Smoky room deals, anyone????

[flashl]

32. As "smokey" as the decision to continue with the Jan 29th primary? NOT! n/t

[robcon]

33. Oh, so you agree with me!

Why did it take so many posts for you to say that the Florida DNC and the national DNC have to get a plan together, and that press releases announcing the national DNC's anti-democratic state convention plan won't do the job?

Negotiations, not press releases.

[flashl]

34. I agree only to a statewide plan that is beneficial for Florida's voters

Anything else is just noise. Thurman sent a message yesterday apologizing to Floridians for NOT including everyone in the state’s decision AFTER the announcement. Isn't that special?

[IndianaGreen]

11. The spectacle of Dean's security men denying entry to FL and MI delegates

will be played on an endless loop by the MSM.

If this issue makes it to the floor, I predict that most delegates will buck Dean and his DNC puppets, and vote to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates. There is little love for Iowa and NH being always first among the rank-and-file.

Next time, let's have no one go first, but establish a rotating regional primary system.

[madfloridian]

12. Info about the fundraiser in Tally....courtesy is required.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/files/october_9_dnc_reception_invite.pdf

It is unbelievable that a DEC chairman would act that rude. I guess I am always amazed at the attitudes here. I don't know when it happened. People here used to be more polite.

[illinoisprogressive]

17. Dean has the support of most of the democrats. These people just are pouting

because Dean won't let them have their way.

[blm]

23. These people are setting Dean up to get pushed out by the crew who expects the nomination.

And some in other camps let them get away with the deliberate targeting of Dems in their way because they don't CARE ENOUGH to stop it unless it's THEIR guy targeted.

First they came for Gore.

Then they came for Kerry.

Then they came for Dean.

When will people open their eyes?

[BreweryYardRat]

22. Hmm. I'm in Hillsborough.

I get my car back from the shop next weekend. Perhaps I should drive over to party headquarters here and call Mr. Suarez on his bullshit.

[madfloridian]

31. I found the website, but no way to email.

The phone numbers are there so I will call tomorrow. Strange, no way to email.

He also has a huge front page piece blasting the DNC and only giving one side.

http://www.hcdec.org/default.asp

[madfloridian]

26. Dean quietly went to TN....

I guess since Harold Ford doesn't want him there, quiet is best. Seems a shame that a man working to rebuild parties must enter some states so quietly.

DNC chair quietly discusses 50-state promotion strategy

NASHVILLE — Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean visited Tennessee Democrats to quietly promote his “50 state strategy” of promoting the party’s prospects even in states that have tilted Republican in recent presidential elections.

At Dean’s behest, reporters were not allowed to hear his address at the state Democratic party headquarters in Nashville. He also declined requests for an interview on the party’s prospects in Tennessee next year.

The former Vermont governor also attended an evening gathering of party activists at a Nashville home.

As part of the Dean strategic plan, the Democratic National Committee is paying the salary of staff workers in many states — including Tennessee.

“It’s been a big help to us here in Tennessee, that’s for sure,” said state Democratic Chairman Gray Sasser.

Turns out the Republican state party in TN doesn't get any funds from the RNC and wishes they did.

[Cameron27]

29. They've put him in a no-win situation,

and then insult him too? Why bother with DNC rules for anything then?

[cobalt1999]

30. Hell, I might drive over just for the fireworks.

Dean is going to feel as welcome as a Klan member at a NAACP meeting, especially coming to the state with his hand out for money. Hopefully he'll do some backroom compromising with the Florida Democrats.

[truebrit71]

35. And the last time FL voted for the DEM candidate (that mattered) was when?

Screw 'em if they want to act like a bunch of babies...

[flashl]

36. There is all of this noise about Florida's voters' right but NOT a peep about this ...

Lawsuit calls voter-registration law unfair

Claiming that a 2-year-old voter registration law will unfairly block minorities, including Hispanics, from registering to vote, the Florida branch of the NAACP and a Miami-based Haitian group filed a federal lawsuit Monday that seeks to throw the law out.

Florida law requires that a citizen's name on a voter registration form be matched with a Social Security number or driver's license number. Florida legislators made the change to comply with the Help America Vote Act.

Florida used HAVA and campaigned to push the (self-voting) touch screen voting machines in minority polling precincts.

Or this ...

Duval County's voter caging scandal

The case centers on e-mails that have come to light since the congressional investigation into the mass firings of U.S. attorneys. Contained in some of them, Kennnedy and Whitehouse contend, is proof some Jacksonville voters were targeted for voter caging by Tim Griffin, then working for the Republican National Committee and later appointed as a replacement U.S. attorney in Arkansas. Griffin has denied the allegations.

Wake UP. These issues affect the disenfranchised Democratic voter base in Florida.