I would have put this up, but the rules of the site prohibit it for 5 more hours.

Much appreciated. let me be your first rec.

Well, it's good news, but I get a kick out of our state Dems doing this crazy jujitsu about who's responsible for the date-change. Why, here's an e-mail they sent to Florida Democrats on June 18, 2007:

Dear Florida Democrats,

You spoke...

...and your Party listened.

As Chair of your Party, I am proud to officially announce that Florida's Democratic Presidential Preference Primary will be held on January 29, 2008, in accordance with a new state law and the will of Florida's Democratic voters.

Although Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules can penalize states (except for Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina) that hold 2008 primaries prior to February 5, the Florida Democratic Party's leadership determined that holding a process outside the state-run January 29th election would be detrimental to the voters of this state.

We did not come to this decision on our own.

Over the past few months, the Party discussed the issue with the DNC, Democratic Presidential candidates, Democratic leaders in Florida, and committed Florida Democrats like you.  We read your emails and letters, and, in the end, a clear consensus emerged.

Florida Democrats made it clear that a date other than January 29th would potentially disenfranchise voters and inhibit preparations for a winning 2008 campaign - a campaign that will deliver the state's 27 crucial electoral votes on November 4, 2008 to the Democratic Presidential nominee.

Also, we all know the importance of November, but the January 29 elections will affect the people of Florida as well, with important municipal races on the ballot in many cities, and a statewide property tax constitutional amendment that threatens county budgets and local jobs.

As the Florida Democratic Party, we cannot and will not support disenfranchisement that could occur if our primary were held on a date other than January 29, 2008. Our state has seen far too much of this in the past.

Also, we agree with many of you who wrote and e-mailed us with concerns that holding a separate, later election would take our eyes off the prize and adversely affect the progress made toward winning the state for the Democratic nominee in 2008. Like you've said, there's just too much at stake.

Because of these reasons, the Florida Democratic Party has respectfully requested that the DNC not enact penalties on our state or Democratic Presidential candidates by diluting the Florida delegation's voting strength. The Delegation Selection Plan we submitted to the DNC is available online at www.fladems.com/delegateplan until July 20 for your comments.

We will keep you posted as the discussions with the DNC continue.

Thank you for your trust.

Sincerely,

Karen L. Thurman

Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman
Chair, Florida Democratic Party

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where she blames the republicans for this. Dare I say, it almost seems like they willingly moved it! (Not that I was complaining at the time. I was in favor of the move. Who knew a primary would actually continue past March?)

McCain has said he's seating Michigan and Florida fully.  

I guess that officially makes them red states now.  

Because Hillary knows her path to the White House is not through the comvention in August. In order to preserve the power base she has built and be ready for 2012 if her hail mary pass with the SD's fails she will throw her full support behind Obama when the SD's decide next week.

If she really believes he is unelectable her she will be his most vocal advocate which will set her up for the next election cycle. If she is right about Obama she should dump Penn and get Axelrod to run her 2012 campaign.

If she is wrong and Obama has 8 years she will be a powerful senate ally who could push through health care and have a shot 2016. If she goes to the convention she will lose everything including what she built during her campaign. Even if she could win it will be a pyrrhic victory as without the African American vote she would lose in a landslide and be blamed by the party for screwing up the best opportunity in a generation.