[Dialogue] Obama in Florida

Thu May 22 16:47:18 EDT 2008

I have been have several e-mail & conversation. 
Kay Fulkerson
Here is more information to share:
first: Hillary's debt, despite the 22 million of April is now over 30 Million - a few million less than Obama's surplus! Don't know why Hillary supporters don't think this is a problem, but they keep saying she's got more than enough coming in to make it all the way to the convention. Everyone is still shocked at the amounts she continues to raise. This whole thing is confusing to me.

Second: Michigan - Obama removed his name from the ballot. He was not required to do that. Chris Dodd and Hillary left their names on. The other Dems removed their names and most thought at the time Hillary would win Michigan no matter what, which she did by a sizable margin. HOWEVER - Obama urged voters to go out and vote uncommitted - which 40 or 45% of them did. Hillary has offered to have ALL uncommitted votes go to Obama - he's refused to accept. He's refused to agree to a re-vote and he's refused so far to agree to have MI seated in any form. No one's talked about Aug. 5 - another of my confusions. (Aug 5 is a general election in Michigan so the cost of election poles etc will happen, yet not conversation of a re-vote in Michigan.)

Third: - Florida - Both Obama and Hillary were on the ballot. 1.3 million voted - the record turnout for any election in the state that everyone keeps talking about. Obama ran ads on the Florida border that played into the Florida TV markets. Technically, he didn't campaign IN Florida. However, he did play politics as usual, which no one talks about, but it bothers me since it's hypocritical of him, and therefore raises trust issues for me. There's no way to assume any voter who wanted their vote to count didn't get their chance - because of the unprecedented turnout. Nevertheless, when Obama refused to consider seating the delegates and allowing FL votes to count Hillary suggested a re-vote be with she and Obama splitting the cost. Obama has refused, so hence the stalemate - which Obama wins by default.

Fourth: - I can't remember, and don't have time to look it up - but I believe it was Nevada (or some western state) that also changed their primary date contrary to DNC rules and wasn't penalized at all. Don't have any idea what that deal is about.
J. Robbins,  Kay's friend
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: McCabe, Diann A 
  To: Colleague Dialogue 
  Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 7:20 AM
  Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Obama in Florida

  That should read: I hardly think his campaign looks like the Republican Party in 2000--or any year for that matter.--Diann

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  From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net [dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of McCabe, Diann A [dm14 at txstate.edu]
  Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:18 PM
  To: Colleague Dialogue
  Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Obama in Florida

  Axelrod says Obama is "willing to go halfway in allowing the discounted delegates apply toward Clinton's total" from Michigan & Florida. (All Things Considered, NPR, 5-21-08)

  I hardly think his campaign looks like the Republican Party in 2004.  Besides, Florida and Michigan broke with the party rules and Obama didn't campaign there nor was his name on the ballot in Florida (or was it Michigan?). 

  I certainly agree with you when you write: It's about persuading voters to identify with his candidacy and make him the genuine embodiment of a Democratic vision for this country. And that can't leave out what Hillary has come to stand for, including championing the cause of women. 

  And I think his speech in Iowa last night was a move in that direction.  The young people I talk to--and many of the old and in-between--do see a vision of something new and desparately needed in how Obama has run his campaign.  Florida, indeed, is a problem though.

  Diann McCabe
  San Marcos, TX   

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  From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net [dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of W. J. [synergi at yahoo.com]
  Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:34 PM
  To: oe at wedgeblade.net; dialogue at wedgeblade.net
  Subject: [Dialogue] Obama in Florida

  It strikes me that Barack has a real problem in Flordia: he doesn't want to count the primary votes of Florida or Michigan Democrats (or even talk about it). 'Cause that would tip the balance of the popular vote to Hillary. 

  Yet he needs Florida and Michigan to win the general election, and he can't afford to lose Florida again to the GOP like the last two elections. 

  So he's between a rock and a hard place, looking like the Republican Party that didn't want a recount in 2000, or a re-vote now. 'Cause he'd lose the re-vote. 

  So his best chance to get nominated is to deny Florida their due representation at the convention, present the spectre of inevitablity, and hope that the black vote in south Florida in November will get the Democrats beyond their affection for Hillary and their disaffection with his candidacy and push him over the finish line.

  If Barack's going to steal the nomination from Hillary inch by inch and win the election, he's got to overcome a lot of resistance. It's far beyond just piling up delegate votes. It's not just about the numbers. 

  It's about persuading voters to identify with his candidacy and make him the genuine embodiment of a Democratic vision for this country. And that can't leave out what Hillary has come to stand for, including championing the cause of women. 

  When it comes right down to the wire, I'll vote for any Democrat on the ballot, but for me, Barack hasn't cut the mustard--yet. So what will it take for him to slide into the White House?

  Marshall Jones

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