I also voted for Bill Nelson, but next election when he is up for re-election I am voting against Bill Nelson. From following the Bills in Congress the past 2 years, I fail to see Bill Nelson as an asset to Florida. We need new faces; I am voting against most incumbents regardless of party affiliation.

When Sen Nelson ran last time he was viewed as Florida’s good ol boy from the NASA program. Well for me, his halo is tarnished and his character in question due to supporting Martinez’s Amnesty Bill for illegals. Yes, I know McCain was behind the amnesty bill, but Nelson offered nothing to the debate except to go along with Martinez. I also am voting against Mel Martinez when his re-election bid is due (2010) ?

It really doesn’t matter that much who wanted to move the primararies to Jan 29th. The decision was reached by bipartisan vote and approved by Charlie Crist. Florida and Michigan should vote again. If Hillary Clinton were winning you wouldn’t see any momentum to vote again, but since Clinton is losing the popular vote it will be a mess. Expect a similar outcome as we had in 2000 when George W stole the election from Al Gore.

If you give Hillary more than half of Pennsylvania’s, Michigan’s, and Florida’s delegates as the primary’s outcomes will be, that may bring her very close to Obama’s regular delegate total and he is going to beat her in the remaining smaller States. I wonder why she is given so little chance of having the most regular delegates.

I don’t know much about the “Amnesty Bill” but I do know we need to allow many of these workers to work legally in this country. One comment regarding National Borders I remember came from an astronaut. He said that from outer space, that National Borders were not visible. He also said something to the effect that, relative to the Universe he observed around him that Earth appeared to be a very small, fragile place. So with that observation in mind, I think we should think globally in regards to both immigration and the environment.

According to the AP, Obama has a regular delegate lead of 142 without counting Mississippi’s delegates. Other than Pennsylvania which Hillary will probably win by a significant margin, and Florida, there are eight or so other smaller state primaries. Its going to go down to the wire.

I can’t believe that has-been, Geraldine Ferraro, said that Obama would not be where he is if he was not a black man. Although, I’m sure it’s true, it’s too bad tthat the Clinton’s have to throw out that race issue again. You know, the same could be said for just about every American, that they would not be where they are if they were a different race. McCain would not be where he is if he was a black man, President Bush would not be where he is if he was a black man, Hillary would not be where she is if she was a black woman., and on and on…

The facts regarding Obama are that he had a black father from Africa, a white mother from the Midwest, and an Indonesian stepfather. He was given a Muslim name at birth due to his father’s religion but was raised a Christian primarily by his Mother and her family, and attended an Ivy League school like several of our former Presidents. He is very much American with a multi-cultural background like so many other Americans. He is representative of what America is and has been compared to, a “melting pot” for cultures, religions, and races, a nation of immigrants and decendents of immigrants from around the world. This to me, along with his policies and personal charisma is why I find his prospective nomination and election so appealing.

Now, it would be nice to see him spank Hillary in this race, win the nomination, and pick another woman as his running mate. He was endorsed a while back by the female governor of Kansas. Maybe he will select her if he gets the nomination. That would satisfy some of the Clinton voters who are only supporting her because she is female.

Been_There_Done_That,
I may be with you and not support Clinton if she does win this thing. I just won’t vote at all. I can’t support McCain because I don’t agree with the Republican policy positions but the Clinton campaign is just too dirty for me. You’ve got to draw the line somewhere.

Hardcore Clinton supporters are Hillary Clinton’s worse detractoers when it comes to her campaign. First, it was red-faced Bubba Bill wagging his finger at folks, then Geraldine Ferraro making ridiculous racist remarks.

Clinton is a hypocrite! I know she attracts older white women as supporters, but I really have a difficult time seeing her as President. After McCain’s attacks to the Dems on NAFTA, I am also inclined to not vote for any Presidential candidate, if it is a Clinton v McCain race.

First Clinton demands that Obama isn’t experienced, then suggests he by VP candidate on her ticket. The demands of a VP are to be able to take over in case Pres in unable to perform duties. So if Obama is SO inexperienced, why would she want him as a VP? Simple. Clinton can’t win against Obama in the popular vote, and she knows it.

But, I don’t like McCain either. McCain would do much better if he stopped backpeddling on George W issues, NAFTA, immigration, etc.  and just ran a campaign of tradition. McCain seems to solidify the dislike people have for him by re-visiting the old issues that caused trouble for him last year.

So, bottom line is that for me, I won’t vote if it is a Clinton v McCain race in November. Neither Clinton nor McCain have the best interest of the country in sight.

It may be a matter of which extremists you prefer - left wing elitists, or right wing war and fear mongerers.

Been_There_Done_That
I guess I was wrong about the whole Florida delegate “winner take all” concept. I obviously am no expert as this is the first year I’ve followed it closely. I guess I got that when hearing how the Republicans do things and I see unholy reasons why they do it.  Now, I am reading that Clinton would need a 55-45 vote in her favor in Florida and Michigan for it to make a significant difference in the delegate count.
Also, I’m glad to see that former V.P. candidate withdraw from the Clinton campaign but I’m still not going to vote for her.

This is the first year that I watched a primary selection closely. It has been enlightening. There seems to be nothing fair about the process. Different states, different rules, all a hodge podge of favoritism.

I’d like to see a national primary after the state campaigning, that way the entire nation gets a say in the nominee. Eliminate the delegates, super delegates, and let the majority select a candidate.
I guess that would be too democratic.

I’d also favor abolishing the electoral college. One person, one vote, majority rules.

There may be a better way to nominate the candidates but now it appears that the Democrats and Republicans in Florida have chosen not to take the path of a redo as has the State of Michigan. Instead, they are attempting to obtain the intervention of the Federal Court. It is ironic that the Courts decided the outcome in Florida in 2000 ,and those in power in Florida chose to go back and let the Court decide this election issue again.
I may be in the minority of readers of this forum but I hope the Federal Court will respect DNC rules and deny the petition to seat these delegates. Unfortunately, I suspect the plan all along was to let the Courts decide the issue of seating these delegates. When their effort fails in Atlanta in the District Court, I guess the final decision will be made by the Supreme Court. Any opinion on this subject?

I agree with you. Howard Dean stated that the delegates would not be seated, and that should stand, Florida votes should not be counted.

As to the idea that the primary date was moved to Jan 29 because of the Repubs? I don’t know. I don’t understand why the Legislature has the final authority, yet the National Committees can decide if the votes should count. That issue will be decided by a court. It seems to me that the Legislature should have final authority, and the National Committees should NOT have the power to decide whose vote counts, and whose vote doesn’t count. The National Committees have too much power, as it stands now.

But, I agree. National Committee Rules were known upfront - no Florida votes should count from the Jan 29th primary. If they won’t approve a do-over, then toss the votes out. The Dems have themselves to blame. I don’t know if they could have opt-ed out of Jan 29th and demanded a separate primary in March, instead of going along with the Repubs who changed the date in the first place.

Another embarrassment for Florida; another embarassment for voters.

Bill Richardson endorsed Obama today stating that his candidacy was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the nation. Hopefully, Obama’s nomination will get back on track after the last two weeks. I’m sure the radio talk shows will continue to bash him but rather than listen to that garbage maybe we should listen to some music instead.

Clinton said today in Charlotte, North Carolina, that it would be great if the general election were between his wife, Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, and Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona. The vote would involve ``two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country,’’ Bill Clinton said. - Yahoo.com

Well, Wild Bill Clinton is at it again, and this time insinuating that Obama is less patriotic than the other two candidates. It should not be such a surprise that he would get on this level though. After hearing his earlier statements and knowing about his adultery from when he was in office and before, nothing about ol’ Bill should surprise anyone. America deserves better than what the Clintons have to offer so hopefully the last chapter is being written on the Clinton book.

Hillary stated today that her story on Bosnia with the sniper fire, people taking cover, all caused by sleep deprivation. Isn’t Hillary the one with the ad of the red phone ringing at 3am? Do we want Hillary answering that call at 3am? LOL—Dag darn snipers!

That’s funny. I wonder what part of her brain that sniper comment came from. The only people shooting in her direction that day were photographers. I think she is losing it because she is losing it. The sooner this thing is over and the faster Obama can fully focus on McCain the better for Democrats. Right now, McCain is getting a free ride. I want to see what happens when he is feeling the pressure. He has already misspoke a few times and I bet there is more of that to come when the competition heats up.

Senator Clinton said today that despite recent encouragement to drop out of the race that she is in through the remaining primaries. I am not confident that I can accurately predict the outcome but there are two things that seem to be working in her favor.
First, if Obama doesn’t watch out he is going to take a big loss in Pennsylvania. The polls show him down by a substantial margin and from what I can tell he has done very little campaigning there thus far. Add to that Rush Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos,” where he is encouraging Republicans to temporarily switch party affiliation and vote for Clinton, and who knows whats going to happen.
Second, I just can’t imagine that the issue of Michigan and Florida is just going to rest without these voters having a say in the outcome. If the Courts get involved there’s no telling what may come of that.
The two candidates have temporarily at least shown some restraint on their personal criticisms of one another and that has been a positive change. One other positive development that I heard recently was that Senator Nelson has proposed a change in the election process to ensure we do not have primary date changes etc..,. as we had this year. Let’s hope he is successful with that.