I have listed below the talking points of a recent correspondence from a Florida Democratic party member who is representing us on a national level. Where it sits now is that the appeals are continuing, however the most promising news is that ALL agree that Florida should be represented in some way at the convention, and a Hotel has been assigned for the Florida delegation.

I will be attending a meeting in Tampa in a few weeks. All the Florida Delegates are invited to this meeting. I hope to get some good and exciting news there. I also expect  more details of how this thing will shake out. At any level this is an historic year. Stay involved and make your voices heard.

Here is a synopsis of my most recent information from the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) leaders.

• The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC), have called a meeting of the DNC RBC for Saturday, 31 May 2008, to hear and decide the two appeals filed from Florida.
• one, the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States contains language stating persons holding certain positions (DNC Members, US Senators, US Representatives, DNC Officers, former DNC Chairs, etc.) Shall be delegates (a.k.a SUPER delegate) to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
• two, the appropriate penalty for a state violating the timing rule (Rule 11 of the Delegate Selection Rules) is contained in Rule 20.C.1 which states a timing violation shall result in a 50% reduction in the pledged delegates (not 49%, not 51% and certainly not 100%).
• Independent polling in Florida, previously sent out, clearly indicates that Floridians are very concerned about the 100% penalty. Over 62% of Florida Democrats believe that the appeals should be granted and that a 50% penalty is appropriate.
• The arguments in appeals filed on behalf of Florida accept that fact that a penalty for the timing violation is appropriate and should be imposed. However, the penalty should have been 50% of the pledged delegates, not 100% of the entire delegation.
• The whole reason for the penalty was that Florida held its primary before first four states designated by the DNC, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The reason these states go first is to give candidates a forum where they can campaign in an "affordable" manner. It is important that they can launch their national campaigns without the need to have raised the BIG dollars that are afford other well connected candidates. This goal was achieved
• Florida has been shunned and in some societies that is one of the most severe penalties that can be imposed. We would like to be welcomed back into the Democratic community. We want take the fight to Republican John McCain and his plans to continue Bush’s war in Iraq and failed domestic policies.

I look forward to moving past this issue and on to Denver!

Barry