DNC Threatens to Ban Florida From '08 Convention

Showdown today over early primary date

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2007 10:14 AM CDT

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DNC Threatens to Ban Florida From '08 Convention — Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, center, signs autographs as Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, back left, shakes hands at a rally at the Pepsi Center, site of the 2008 Democratic convention, in downtown Denver, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007. Dean said Wednesday he believes states that are rushing... (Associated Press)

A pugnacious Democratic National Committee is taking direct aim at Florida today, scheduling a vote on whether the state should be punished for pushing its primary up to Jan. 29, the Washington Post reports. Party rules prohibit any primary before Feb. 5; the penalty would be barring Florida delegates to the party's '08 convention in Denver.

Party rules would also ban democratic candidates from "actively campaigning" in Florida before the primary. Outraged Florida lawmakers blame DNC Chairman Howard Dean, and say they'll sue if sanctions are executed. If Florida sticks with the Jan. 29 primary date, the DNC says it must hold a caucus or convention after Feb. 5 to pick delegates. The state could also appeal at the convention to get their delegates seated.

(More Howard Dean stories.)

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