Florida voters’ message was heard and DNC wobbled on strategy

Talk flies right now about the impact of Florida’s early primary on national politics. What will the Democratic National Party do? Hard-liners say Florida should be punished—we were warned by both political parties at the national level. The irony is the primary had little effect on the Republican nomination but it may have a cataclysmic effect on the Democratic nomination. Because whatever solution is worked out, one candidate must emerge supreme and it is likely the losing side will hold a grudge. Chalk this up to strategic error on the part of the DNC.

There’s a lot to be said for wisdom. The Repubs, trying to avoid the equivalent of Friday Night Fights, ruled early on. Okay, you went against our wishes but we’ll give you half your delegates. It was only a victory because McCain had such a wide lead. Had Romney been closer, we’d be talking about the GOP vote too. The Dems, apparently welcoming the equivalent of Friday Night Fights, made their ruling. No way. You broke the rules you pay the price. That was the first political mistake by the DNC. Because Florida set a primary date exactly the way first place title-holder New Hampshire did. Our legislature enacted a law—the only difference being we didn’t word our law so no other state could hold a primary before ours. We like to be broad-minded down here in The Sunshine State.

Florida sent a clear message to both national parties. Somebody needed to. No political party should tell a state when to hold a primary as long as it all comes down before the convention. Primaries have been moved repeatedly by other states, and the votes counted. Take a look at this article in The Washington Post and tell me this isn’t one savagely stupid process for selecting a presidential candidate. And take a look at the Democratic National Committee once a decision is made about Florida. Somebody’s gonna have to pick a candidate and the delegates don’t even have to go by the popular vote. Bad strategy.

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