by D. Cupples | Via Memeorandum: Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R) said that he supports holding a second primary for Democrats, so their delegates can be seated. Florida State Department's general counsel's office said that the legislature would have to vote on whether to allow a second primary.
Our overwhelmingly Republican legislature moved the primary in the first place, so it may not be keen on scheduling another. Then again, some Republicans might think that holding another primary would benefit Hillary Clinton, whom they might view as easier than Barack Obama for John McCain to beat. Who knows what our lege will do?
Before calling the Department of State, I called the Governor's office. A person there said that many callers oppose a second primary. To voice your opinion, contact Gov. Crist's office at (850) 488-7146 or [email protected]
The irony is that Florida would have gotten much more attention, at least from the Democrats, if the primary had been February 26. Still, I hope they (and Michigan) do run another primary, as it's the only approach that guarantees no big fights at the DNC.
What the DNC did was very harsh, but they do have a strong incentive to try to maintain a hold on the states on this one, lest we end up with primaries in 2011 next time around.
The current primary system is pretty horribly flawed. Not only has the Feb. 5th date become too big to allow any small-money candidate to compete, but the idea that the NH/Iowa cartel has some God-given right to consider candidates first is a load of BS.
The DNC and RNC need to step in and create a tiered system. Google "Graduated Random Presidential Primary System" for a pretty good plan. I would do things a little differently, but it gives the idea of an approach that fixes the process and allows candidates to actually campaign.
Posted by: Adam | March 04, 2008 at 12:20 PM
The irony is that Florida would have gotten much more attention, at least from the Democrats, if the primary had been February 26. Still, I hope they (and Michigan) do run another primary, as it's the only approach that guarantees no big fights at the DNC.
What the DNC did was very harsh, but they do have a strong incentive to try to maintain a hold on the states on this one, lest we end up with primaries in 2011 next time around.
The current primary system is pretty horribly flawed. Not only has the Feb. 5th date become too big to allow any small-money candidate to compete, but the idea that the NH/Iowa cartel has some God-given right to consider candidates first is a load of BS.
The DNC and RNC need to step in and create a tiered system. Google "Graduated Random Presidential Primary System" for a pretty good plan. I would do things a little differently, but it gives the idea of an approach that fixes the process and allows candidates to actually campaign.
Posted by: Adam | March 04, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Adam,
I agree with you about the flawed party system and the harshness of the DNC. I know a lot of Florida Dems who have pledged to not give any more $ to the DNC because of the delegate issue.
It's likely more efficient to just give the money to candidates anyway.
Posted by: D. Cupples | March 05, 2008 at 06:03 PM