Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left says:
"However, when Obama saw that Hillary was not going to play his game, he did not remove his name from the Florida ballot, nor could he under Florida law without dropping out of the race entirely. And neither did Edwards. Hence they are all dirty scoundrels breaking the rules in Florida."
I swear, the Hillary shills are as bad as Republicans. Actually, they couldn't take their names off the ballot under a State law, period. Dropping out of the race didn't keep Gov. Bill Richardson off the ballot.
The only dirty scoundrels here are (1) the Florida state government for moving the primary before the earliest date allowed by the Democratic Party and (2) the national Democratic Party's decision to disenfranchise all the Democrats in Florida in the Presidential primary. Yes, those Democrats should have caved to the Florida move, especially given what happened in this state in 2000.
Regarding Point #1, the Florida Government is Republican Dominated, but the legislation that moved the primary date back was passed in the Florida legislature by a unanimous 'aye' (118-0, I believe was the tally) -- voted on by both Florida-State Republicans and Democrats.
Not surprisingly, Big Tent Democrat failed to mention the 2nd point, as so many of you who subscribe to identity politics frequently do, absolving the Democratic Party of responsibility and completely avoiding the irony between 2000 and 2008. Want more Irony? Our electronic touchscreens had cash register printers attached to them this year! That elusive paper trail was finally in place, but not until the vote itself was rendered completely MOOT!
Finally, something else Big Tent failed to mention, is that also on the primary ballot is a State property tax reduction amendment being touted by Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist. He has been spending a lot of time and money touting a 50% reduction in Homestead Exemptions (which is not really true) but failing to mention how approving it will impact the State's finances or the provision that will tie the hands of future state legislatures.
Democrats staying away from the polls because of the moot Presidential Primary makes it very likely the provision on the ballot will pass. Thanks, DNC.
Posted by Tampa Student at January 25, 2008 10:04 PMI voted for Hillary the other day in Miami-Dade County by absentee ballot. (All the candidates' names were on the ballot.) I also voted for all the amendments.
Posted by Experienced Voter at January 25, 2008 11:21 PMGood catch and I hadn't heard this piece of the puzzle. This goes along with an earlier statement I had made that I feel that Josh's site (which I really love and is top notch) is being somewhat biased and is pro Obama even though he claims not to be. He had a post up several weeks ago claiming that the criticisms from readers to his coverage were about 50-50 in each camp....(therefore using the old msm motto hey since it's coming from both sides equally I must be doing okay and giving fair and balanced coverage). But I disagree. It seems like everytime I visit there is a subtle but glaring pro-Obama spin to the main headline on talking points memo, and many more headlines with a favorable spin to Obama with more flattering picture of him.
Having said that, I still love his site, visit it quite often, and think he's done a great service to all of us in this country. There is no taking that away from him and I as just some average Amurkan appreciate it immensely. I just wish he'd be up front and maybe open about his candidate preference and once and for all just admit it.
Finaly disclaimer. I am an Edwards supporter and now have Hillary and Obama tied for second in my voting preference and I will support anyone on the Democratic side that wins the nomination. I realize they all have positives and negatives and shortcoming....no perfect candidate...but definitely they are all "more betterer" than repukes.
Posted by emal at January 26, 2008 05:42 AM