The members of the delegation, who have met privately with Dean in an effort to fend off a clash, say in the letter it was their "understanding the Democratic National Committee intended to satisfactorily resolve any potential rules problems arising from the decision by several states to move up their 2008 primary dates.
"Yet it was reported just today the DNC still appears poised to assault this basic right," says the letter signed by Sen. Bill Nelson, along with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Alcee Hastings, Kathy Castor and Kendrick Meek.
"If true - and if the DNC strips Florida of all or some of its delegates to the national convention - we would ask the appropriate legal officials to determine whether this could violate any state or federal laws governing and protecting individual voting rights."
Furthermore, the letter says the delegation will recommend that Florida Democrats "send the party's entire delegation to the national convention in Denver next year anyway."
This isn't a battle the DNC can win. So they might as well throw in the towel. They fucked up the primary calendar process by allowing New Hampshire and Iowa maintain their unfair lofty position at the expense of the rest of the 48 states and the District of Columbia. They now get to reap the results of their lack of political will and leadership.
No one said "kill IA and NH". Lots of states would've been happy to share early primary and caucus dates. Instead, they selfishly demanded to remain first.