Nelson caves on FL revote

[Oilwellian]

Florida Revote? Think again... the arguement to seat delegates with Half Votes similar to the Republicans has 3 major victories included for Barack Obama, Taking away Hillary's last best hope to close gaps on multiple fronts.

1. Net 19 Pledged Delegates For Obama

This arguement has been ceeded by Sen. Bill Nelson, the defacto Florida Hillary Supporter.

Nelson said he spoke Friday with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the Senate floor about the plight of Florida and Michigan, the two states stripped of delegates because their early primaries violated national rules.

"Both of them said, `You have to seat Florida and Michigan.' Now, of course, the devil is in the details,'" Nelson said.

The Nelson plan still gives Clinton the edge, based on her 17 percentage-point win in January. But instead of gaining 38 delegates, Clinton's victory margin in Florida would be reduced to 19.

That's a Net Gain of 19 Delegates for Obama if you consider the prospects of a true Revote...

* Steven R's diary :: ::
*

2. Closing Potential Popular Vote Gap

What's more important to consider if how this may affect the Popular Vote Tally, the all important measure currently the only chance for Hillary to close the "gap"... if Florida is not given a Revote, then any arguement suggesting that the Florida vote be counted in the Total Popular Vote tally would need to likewise, at the least, follow a 50% haircut, if not all together be taken out of consideration, as it currently is. The fact is Obama never campaigned in Florida, nor did he activate the Ground Organizers which are key in his victories thus far this year.

The Florida Popular Vote was:

Clinton: 857,208
Obama; 569,041
Margin: 288,167

The Hillary campaign will only be able to legitimately claim either 1/2 that number, in accordance with the delegate penalty, 144,083, or worse yet, None. Because the vote was rather uncontested and therefor not real, a compromise in the delegate apportionment removes her chance to actually claim a popular vote victory there and close the gap, thereby another victory for Obama.

3. Keeping Florida Relevant and Involved without investing Millions to Campaign

And in closing, this is a victory for Democrats because now the Florida Delegation will be seated, and some portion of the vote will be counted, as it's supposed to be, through the proportionality of the pledged delegates. To that end, Hillary will have closed the Pledged Gap by 19 Delegates, a victory, but minor in comparison to the 38 she had available.

And seeing how Michigan may actually hold a true revote soon, a state that Obama is more inclined to win, this whole Revote matter may soon turn into yet another Hillary Liability...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/14/14556/3415/318/476673

[rateyes]

1. Just for reference: Florida's Sen. Nelson is named "Bill"

Ben Nelson is from Nebraska.

[Oilwellian]

5. corrected n/t

[Oilwellian]

2. Original article

With the Florida Democratic Party's proposed mail-in do-over of its Jan. 29 presidential primary drawing more heat than support, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson began floating the idea Friday of seating half the state's 186 pledged delegates at the party's national convention.

Nelson said he spoke Friday with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the Senate floor about the plight of Florida and Michigan, the two states stripped of delegates because their early primaries violated national rules.

"Both of them said, `You have to seat Florida and Michigan.' Now, of course, the devil is in the details,'" Nelson said.

The Nelson plan still gives Clinton the edge, based on her 17 percentage-point win in January. But instead of gaining 38 delegates, Clinton's victory margin in Florida would be reduced to 19.

Meanwhile, Michigan continues to mull holding a do-over statewide primary, that unlike the Florida Democratic proposal, would involve voters going to the polls.

For its part, the Clinton campaign is maintaining a low-profile on the matter.

"We believe that every vote ought to count," said Mo Elleithee, a Clinton spokesman. "Florida and Michigan should have a role in the nominating process."
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2008/03/nelson-proposes.html

[madfloridian]

4. They should NOT use the original FL primary results as a basis.

There were no delegates there to begin with.

[madfloridian]

3. I don't think they know anything for sure yet.

Am waiting to hear more verification.

Billy boy Nelson had another opinion yesterday.

And the appellate court hearing is Monday...soo....oo.we wait.

[Oilwellian]

6. Hmmm...

Hadn't thought of the Monday hearing...wonder if it will still occur if they come to a compromise?