by Mark Silva
Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chairman, and Karen Thurman, who chairs the Florida Democratic Party, issued a joint statement following a meeting today:
“We are all committed to doing everything we can to ensure that a Florida delegation is seated in Denver. We all agree that whatever the solution, it must have the support of both campaigns.
“While there may be differences of opinion in how we get there, we are all committed to ensuring that Florida’s delegation is seated in Denver. We’re committed to working with both campaigns to reach a solution as soon as realistically possible.
“We are also laying the groundwork to ensure we win in Florida in November and spent time here today talking about how to do just that. We will continue to work towards a solution to ensure delegates are seated and logistics are in place for a Florida delegation in Denver.”
In other words, no progress on seating a delegation which — like Michigan’s — is currently barred from the Democratic National Convention because the two states staged early primary elections in violation of national party rules. Bill Nelson, Florida’s Democratic senator, has said the Democrats can kiss Florida goodbye in November, if Democrats are “disenfranchised” at the nominating convention.