DNC panel: FL won't get off scott free

The Associated Press interviewed a third of the panel members and several other Democrats involved in the negotiations and found widespread agreement that the states must be punished for stepping out of line. If not, the members say, other states will do the same thing in four years.

"We certainly want to be fair to both candidates, and we want to be sure that we are fair to the 48 states who abided by the rules," said Democratic National Committee Secretary Alice Germond.

"We have to have delegates, and they have to be delegations that reflect the opinions of those two states," said former DNC Chairman Don Fowler, a committee member supporting Clinton. "How we get there is very different because everyone sees these questions of who it helps and who it hurts. I don't think the formulation has been found that will get around the piece at this point." But he said a solution is probably possible among the diverse interests.  More here.

Comments

[Democrats want gay marriage. It is now front and center.]

The California supreme court, by a 4-to-3 margin, ruled Thursday that it is not sufficient that California has enacted a domestic-partnership scheme that makes available to same-sex couples “virtually all of the same substantive legal benefits and privileges” as marriage. The court instead invented a “right of same-sex couples to have their official family relationship accorded the same dignity, respect, and stature as that accorded to all other officially recognized family relationships.” In short, it required that marriage itself — both the term and the institution — be redefined to be fully available to same-sex couples.

Chief Justice Ronald M. George’s majority opinion is as arrogant as it is confused. Never mind that, as his opinion concedes, “[f]rom the beginning of California statehood, the legal institution of marriage has been understood to refer to a relationship between a man and a woman.” Never mind that the very right to marry that he so wildly misconstrues is built on that understanding. Never mind that California voters in 2000 overwhelmingly ratified that understanding by adopting by initiative — by a 61.4-percent majority — the California Defense of Marriage Act.

↓ Keep reading this article ↓

Editors: Wedded to Activism

Freddoso: After Vito

Editors: The Suffering

Duncan: Supreme Overreach

Fox-Genovese: Marriage On Trial

Hibbs: Much Has Changed in Narnia

Parker: Democrats Over Thrills ‘n’ Chills

Krauthammer: Israeli Miracle

Lowry: ‘A Fire Bell in the Night’

Goldberg: Why Hillary Won’t Quit

Gallagher: Gov. Moonbeam’s Revenge

Lopez: A Whole Wide World Beyond Obama

Editors: Pork Farm

Spencer: Arctic Fairy Tale

Bowyer: Recession? Not So Fast, I Say

Editors: Stormy Weather Ahead

As associate justice Marvin R. Baxter aptly stated in dissent, “Nothing in our Constitution, express or implicit, compels the majority’s startling conclusion that the age-old understanding of marriage — an understanding recently confirmed by an initiative law — is no longer valid. California statutes already recognize same-sex unions and grant them all the substantive legal rights this state can bestow. If there is to be a further sea change in the social and legal understanding of marriage itself, that evolution should occur by similar democratic means.”

Fortunately for Californians, they will likely have an opportunity this November to undo their court’s mischief. Headed for the state ballot is the California Marriage Protection Act, a voter-sponsored initiative that would amend the California constitution to provide expressly that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The initiative would thus override the court’s misinterpretations of the state constitution. (The California Defense of Marriage Act in 2000 was an ordinary law, not a constitutional amendment.)

Reasonable people of good will have competing views on whether and how state laws should accommodate same-sex relationships. Our own views on this matter are traditionalist. But in a representative democracy, everyone ought to agree that any changes should result from legislation, not from activist judges who twist and distort constitutional text to their own ends.

Both John McCain and Barack Obama say they are opposed to same-sex marriage, but both oppose a constitutional amendment to codify that view. Such an amendment is the surest way to prevent judicial meddling. But there is nonetheless an important difference between these candidates. McCain, judging from his record and his recent speech against judicial activism, will try to appoint judges who will refrain from engaging in such meddling. About Obama we know no such thing, and have reason to suspect otherwise. We hope that Senator McCain will be willing to draw this distinction, which puts him on the right and popular side of this issue.

9:14,

This is why your ilk will continue to fall short on this issue. Your data is false, your assertions are false, your arrogance is obnoxious, and your proclaimed alliances are false.

I am a Democrat and I DO NOT want gay marriage.

[Omega83]

As Muhammad Ali said, "No Vietnamese ever called me n_igger."

9:14 - what is your beef with gays, and their want of marraige?

PS - Our representative democracy calls for the independent judical review of all laws passed. So if 99% of people want a law that is clearly unconstitutional, the courts have the power to strike it down.

It has been court precendent now for 200 years.

What the heck are these comments about, whats the connection between seating the Florida delegates and gay issues in California? I'll tell ya, as a Republican I'm feeling better every day, we are not perfect but you guys are insane!!!

REC Member

Count Florida’s votes as votes, split Florida’s Delegates 50/50, discount Michigan’s inequitable Primary completely, split Michigan’s Delegates 50/50, fire Howeird Dunce, kick the Republican consultant (Thurmadrunk) to the curb while you’re at it, and vote every incumbent out of office at your first available opportunity.

Problem Solved!

[Democrats appoint liberal activist judges]

So if you are a democrat, you vote will get this result. it is the democrats who do this and get these judges--so don't say your against gay marriage when you vote for the ones who will make it happen with the judges they appoint.

Nancy Pelosi wants gay marriages. If you vote democratic, then she is in the drivers seat and we will all be happy and gay!!!!

[TICKED OFF WOMAN VOTER]

Good Luck DNC with winning FL and MI. As a registed Democrat for the past 33 years (and I might add, I am a Yellow Dog Democrat.) I voted in my first Presidental Election in 1976 and have never missed a Primary, General or Special Election. But I will not be casting a vote in this years Presidental Election. I fault the DNC for disenfranchising 2.5 Million Democrats in two of the most important swing states. I feel like it will more than likely cost the Democratic Nominee the Election, in Nov. But, we the registerd voters had no choice in having our votes taken away from us. This is not a democracy when one persons vote counts and anothers does not. I can tell you (I am sure you already know) that we Women Democrats are Mad as Hell, and a majority of us are boycotting the upcoming General Election. When a candidate (Sen. Clinton) has had more people go to the polls and vote for her all across this country and you will strip her of those votes that have been certified by our States, THAT IS UNAMERICAN.

The DNC obviously does not know the meaning of Democracy. And will have to be taught a lesson this Nov.

1:01 TICKED OFF WOMAN VOTER - I doubt it, at least, unless you're a Republican who sees the end is coming.

DEMs are coming out in droves to vote out the evil BUSH empire, or haven't you noticed? Barack or Hillary, anything but McSame, that's the battle cry of a real DEM. So long GOP.

TICKED OFF WOMAN VOTER,

If you choose to "sit this one out"... over Dean and Thurman... then you never were a Democrat to begin with, and you sure as hell are not an American.

I agree with TICKED OFF WOMAN VOTER. Let’s really teach them a lesson by making sure McSame gets in the White House. That way, our economy can continue to crash, China can move closer to truly owning us, and more young American men and women will die needlessly to avenge Bush’s daddy… that’ll teach ‘em a lesson, huh?

… freaking dope

What a great way to get votes 1:10, to tell democrats they must be a Republican anyway. You're already not counting their votes, you might as well spit on their face also

1:24,

Bite me, nipplenose! Save the spin for your syban.

[Noneya Biz]

1:10, 1:15 & 1:18, I know that you are the same PUNK that is constanly posting the same LAME COMMENTS daily on THE BUZZ. You are the one that is UnAmerican!

More voters have cast their ballots for Hillary and because our Republican Legislators, stuck this amemdment into the Voting Rights Bill. We Floridans are going to be punished? I am not a Child like I assume you are, and will fight for my right to cast my vote and to have that vote counted! 80% of Sen. Obamas supporters are African American or First Time Voters. You know the demographic groups that don't vote in large numbers. I think the under 30's turn out was less than 20% in 2004 and they are the ones whose vote gave Nader 4% in 2000 to swing the vote to Bush.

We the Women that have turned out to vote in election after election will not be silenced (our turn out #'s are over 70%.)

I don't want to support a Party that would be so stupid as to ignor their main demographic that actually turns out to vote.

Like Ticked of Woman Voter... there are Thousands of us that feel the same way in FL alone. And I can only assume the same goes for Michigan.

1:24 - 1:10 here - I have no sympathy for GOP "appeasers", let alone the heartless fascists themselves. Now please stop posting as a DEM, and save your inflamatory phoney posing for others who haven't been clued in by previous instances.

1:27 Nipplenose? Are you even old enough to vote in the first place? This is the type of voter that is supporting Sen. Obama, God help us. I guess school is out for the summer so, the little tykes have nothing better to do than pretend like they matter.
Hahahahahaha

1:32 & 1"36,

I agree with you both. Let’s really teach them a lesson by making sure McSame gets in the White House. That way, our economy can continue to crash, China can move closer to truly owning us, and more young American men and women will die needlessly to avenge Bush’s daddy… that’ll teach ‘em a lesson, huh?

… freaking pinheads, no wonder Hillary lost.

Noneya, I know you are the same paid staffer that tries desperately to drive a wedge in the solid DEM majority, pretending to be one of us and inventing controversy where none exists. Like I said, we're clued in by your past BS. Will you be posting as a one-legged vet tomorrow?

The vindictive attitude of the Amazon Women for Hillary is exactly why she lost.

BANG-O-RANG, 1:41!

Noneya Biz here. I am a "past" member of the LCDEC, Democratic Womens Club of North FL and The North FL Democratic Club.

You...however, are a PUNK! And, you are also the only Obama supporter on this forum. You keep posting the same dribble over and over.

[Omega83]

FACT CHECK:

5 of the 7 justices of the California Supreme Court were appointed by Republican Governors.

Discuss...

Drop the crack pipe and get with the program, freak!

You Amazon Women Hillary Hacks need to be out raising money for your gal so she can pay down the 20-mil... come on now... get on board or be left behind.

We should have stopped them at burning bras.

[Your Boss - Grover Norquist]

1:50 I think you're repeating your self. Put a little check mark next to the talking points you've already used on this blog, and that won't happen again.

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/05/13/video-obamatopia

Your Boss - Grover Norquist:

1:50 here, Care to show me where?

[California Republicans are actually left of Stalin and equal with Castro]

gay marriage for all. long live sodomy. and where is gomorrah. the end is near. all hail Gore.

[Zulu Oscar Mike Bravo Idiot Echo]

2:27 I'm positive the ticket offer said "Free Kool-Aid". Otherwise, I'm not watching.

[Grover's Fact Checker]

2:29 Sorry, I reviewed your past efforts and it was a very similar, but NOT EXACTLY THE SAME, talking point that you cut and pasted once before. I guess you already figured out about the check marks, eh? My bad.

... what a bunch of tards...

Grovers
I don't need to cut and paste or use check marks. But, I seems that you do. Hum?

[Barack Hussein Obama]

"Scott" free is a racist remark. You cannot use that!

Political parties have never had the legal power to set primary dates. This year the party committees decided that they had the "power" to dictate a schedule for primaries. They sought to enforce their newly discovered "power" by disenfranchising whole states full of Americans.

It worked so well for them: only two major states ignored their assertion of the new "power" and called them out on their threats. In Florida, at least, even with the disenfranchisements, Florida voters mattered more this year than they've mattered for a third of a century.

Now, these gormless self-glorifying nits are deciding how much of a "penalty" to finally inflict on misbehaving millions of individual voters for using their own laws to set the dates for public elections and, gasp, even showing up to vote!

Voters can penalize too--in November, and their votes can't be voided this time.