Florida Democrats may lose out in 2008

Florida is one of the hot spots for Election '08. As the Institute found in a recent report, the fast-growing Sunshine State has been one of the biggest fundraising locations for candidates in both parties (as of July 15, Sen. Clinton had pulled down $3.4 million from Florida alone).

But now a battle between Florida and the national Democratic Party may strip the state of its hoped-for clout in the primaries.

Earlier this year, a bi-partisan group in the state legislature -- in a bid to put Florida at the center of the 2008 elections -- voted to move up the state's presidential primaries to January 29th, one of the first in the country.

"No way," said the national Democratic Party -- and to show they meant it, they threatened to slice the state's delegate count at the 2008 convention from 201 to 93 if they didn't move the primary back.

At first Florida Democrats held their ground. But yesterday, the Florida Dems buckled to the pressure, as Ballot Access News reports:

On August 5, the Florida Democratic Party Executive Committee voted to ask the Florida legislature to move the state’s presidential primary from January 29 to February 5. The legislature will meet in September 2007 in special session.

Unfortunately for Florida Dems, the Republican-controlled legislature is unlikely to move the primary.

If the primaries don't change -- and the national party insists on cutting Florida's delegation -- who loses most? Beside the voters of Florida -- one of the most diverse states in the country -- is could be Hillary: a July Mason-Dixon poll found Clinton far ahead of the Democratic pack in Florida, getting the nod from 31% .

(H/T to Political Wire)

Labels: Election 2008, Florida