ColumbianShop     ColumbianTalk     B2B     ClarkCountyHomes  
The Columbian
The Columbian
     Serving Clark County, Washington | May 11, 2008
55°F 55°F
» Forecast
» Weather Alerts
  Home  |   News  |   Business  |   Sports  |   Opinion  |   Arts & Living  |   Photo  |   Education  |   Classifieds  |   Jobs  |   Auto  |   Real Estate/Rentals  |   Shopping  |   Travel 
 
User: Visitor [ login | new user ]   
 Search:
Subscribe | Contact Us | e-Edition | Site Map | Archives | Advertise    
LOCAL & US/WORLD NEWS columbian.com » News » Politics  

Fla. Dems ask national party to seat presidential delegation


     Email This   Larger Font
     Print This   Smaller Font

Advertisement
US Politics/Election News
»  Notable moments in Clinton's quest
»  Insurance model follows American tradition
»  College prof no walkover for Franken in Minn. Senate run
»  Edwards: Clinton didn't choose words well on race
»  Clinton spends Mother's Day campaigning in W.Va.

May 8, 4:04 PM EDT
By BRENT KALLESTAD
Associated Press Writer

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's Democratic congressional delegation called on the national party Thursday to seat the state's delegation based on its January primary, and the state party is growing more hopeful that the campaigns will agree on a plan by the end of the month.

The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida's delegates because the state held its Jan. 29 primary earlier than party rules allowed. Hillary Rodham Clinton won 50 percent to Barack Obama's 33 percent.

"These are clear indications that - just like in other places throughout the country - Florida voters are tired of Republicans and are demanding a new direction in our country," Florida's nine Democratic members of Congress said in a letter to national party chief Howard Dean. "All of this will be lost, however, if we do not find a solution to this ongoing controversy that fully seats all of Florida's 211 delegates."

State party spokesman Mark Bubriski told The Associated Press that Florida officials have been talking with campaign representatives for Obama and Clinton about recognizing all, or part, of the state's delegates.

"I think they are more and more willing to really consider seating Florida's delegates, if at half or full strength," Bubriski said.

The Florida news comes after Michigan Democrats came up with their own plan to restore their delegates, which were also stripped for having an early primary. Michigan officials have a proposal for the DNC to set 69 delegates for Clinton and 59 for Obama.

Clinton, who is trailing Obama in the race for the nomination by about 150 delegates before the final six primaries, is seeking to close the gap with delegates from Florida and Michigan.

Clinton sent Obama a letter Thursday asking him to work with her to have the primary votes count for both states.

---

Associated Press Newsman Dave Heller contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects in lede that deal on seating delegation is still being negotiated, UPDATES with letter from Congress members, Clinton.)

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.


(0 Comments Added)

Login to post comment:
Your Email:
Your Password:
If you don't have an account, click here to create a columbian account.
Your Comment:
2000 character max
Image Code:
» Terms of Use | » All stories with comments










Subscribe | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Help/Feedback | Privacy Policy
©2007 Columbian.com. All Rights Reserved - Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement.