Fresh Squeezed Politics: Nelson Stays Out Front On Dem Primary

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Nelson Stays Out Front On Dem Primary

Posted Aug 30, 2007 by Billy House, Tribune Washington Bureau

Updated Aug 30, 2007 at 10:25 AM

Continuing his role as the spearpoint in Florida Democrats’ battle with the national party over the state’s primary, Bill Nelson provided the counterpoint to a USAToday editorial on the subject, saying Floridians deserve to have their voting rights respected.

In its editorial, USAToday compared Florida’s push for a Jan. 29 presidential primary—breaking both Democratic and Republican party rules—to a schoolyard bully or self-important celebrity.

“We deserve to go to the head of the line, we’re too important to obey the rules and we dare you to stop us,” was how USAToday described Florida’s position.

In his opposing view appearing under the editorial, Nelson said a long-term solution is needed that takes into account large states and gives smaller ones a fair say, too – “perhaps a system of rotating primaries.”

Nelson said the issue boiling right now, however, is one “sacred to Democracy” – an equal right to vote.

“Certainly, the primary system is broken,” Nelson said. “But the answer isn’t to deny people the right to have their vote counted.”

Nelson said there is a short-term fix. New Hampshire and Iowa will likely skip ahead on the calendar, maintaining their first-in-the-nation status despite Florida’s move. South Carolina could do the same, he said. But instead of working to move South Carolina ahead about a week, Nelson wrote, the party instead voted to strip Florida of delegates to the national convention.

“As to our right to vote, and have that vote count, there can be no debate,” Nelson warned.

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