TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(AP)
Florida's Democratic congressional delegation called on the
national party Thursday to seat the state's delegation based on
its January primary, and the state party is growing more hopeful
that the campaigns will agree on a plan by the end of the
month.
The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida's
delegates because the state held its Jan. 29 primary earlier than
party rules allowed. Hillary Rodham Clinton won 50 percent to
Barack Obama's 33 percent.
"These are clear indications that _ just like in other
places throughout the country _ Florida voters are tired of
Republicans and are demanding a new direction in our country,"
Florida's nine Democratic members of Congress said in a letter
to national party chief Howard Dean. "All of this will be
lost, however, if we do not find a solution to this ongoing
controversy that fully seats all of Florida's 211
delegates."
State party spokesman Mark Bubriski told The Associated Press
that Florida officials have been talking with campaign
representatives for Obama and Clinton about recognizing all, or
part, of the state's delegates.
"I think they are more and more willing to really consider
seating Florida's delegates, if at half or full strength,"
Bubriski said.
The Florida news comes after Michigan Democrats came up with
their own plan to restore their delegates, which were also stripped
for having an early primary. Michigan officials have a proposal for
the DNC to set 69 delegates for Clinton and 59 for Obama.
Clinton, who is trailing Obama in the race for the nomination by
about 150 delegates before the final six primaries, is seeking to
close the gap with delegates from Florida and Michigan.
Clinton sent Obama a letter Thursday asking him to work with her
to have the primary votes count for both states.
___
Associated Press Newsman Dave Heller contributed to this
report.
(This version CORRECTS Corrects in lede that deal on seating
delegation is still being negotiated, UPDATES with letter from
Congress members, Clinton.)
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