The state of Florida, not content with being the laughing stock of 2000 continues its campaign to be the laughing stock of 2008.

Really, in all fairness, the Democrat party is the laughing stock, as entire primary election seems fated to be a bigger debacle than the 2000 election.

Not content to have their election invalidated after they had their primary invalidated for moving their primary date in violation of DNC rules, they now want to muddy the waters with an impromptu mail in vote...or do they?

Re-vote picture clouds

For a moment, it looked like party leaders were marching toward a Florida revote. But Obama's campaign signaled today that the mechanics would be an obstacle, and Florida's congressional delegation just took a hard line against a re-vote in a joint statement:

Washington, DC – The Members of Florida’s Democratic Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives issued the following statement regarding the seating of Florida’s delegates at the DNC National Convention this August.

“We are committed to working with the DNC, the Florida State Democratic party, our Democratic leaders in Florida, and our two candidates to reach an expedited solution that ensures our 210 delegates are seated.

“Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind.”

Which leaves the matter woefully murky. 

So exit question:  Why does Florida seem to attract election debacles?  Do I need to remind anyone of the stupid ballots, inconsistent standards of evaluating voter intent, hanging chads, dueling courts and whining politicians from 2000?

If the Democrats were really pushing to assure the people they stand for integrity in elections, they seem to be failing.

All I have seen is race baiting, victim card playing, scheming and conniving.  I have seen plans for totally thwarting voter intent, and two entire states completely disenfranchised.

This is election integrity?

And you cannot blame the Republicans this time, this is Dem on Dem infighting.

Ever since the DNC suspended the Florida and Michigan Caucuses, it was almost a sure invitation to litigation and controversy.

And who else would we expect other than Al Sharpton to make an issue of it.

SHARPTON THREATENS LAWSUIT OVER FL, MI

Al Sharpton is in Florida and said he is prepared to sue if Florida and Michigan’s delegates are seated as is. He said there are people who didn’t vote because they knew their vote wouldn’t count and “there must be a formula to factor” them in.

“There were many people that did not vote, because the DNC said their vote did not count,” Sharpton said on MSNBC. “Whatever way this is resolved, they must be factored in.”

Sharpton instead called for a re-do of the voting in both states. “There must be a way that people can exercise their right to vote who did not vote.”

Called it “absurd” that Michigan where uncommitted was on the ballot, would get their delegates seated as is.

”If they try to seat as is,” Sharpton said, he and the National Action Network are prepared to file suit.

As we noted in First Read this morning, Sharpton is in Florida to meet with local National Action Network chapters in Orlando, Port St. Lucie and Miami where they will plan to sign up people who will say they didn’t vote because they were “told their vote wouldn’t count. And we’ll do it in Michigan too.”

What no one wants to say is that Al only cares because Hillary would get the delegates if they were seated as is, and while he had is issue with Obama in the past, Sharpton would rather see Obama in the Whitehouse than Hillary...for obvious reasons, IMO. 

Now I will grant that it seems unfair to let her sweep the states when the Obama didn't even campaign and wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan, but then again, the DNC created this mess, so they need to figure out how to make it right.