Good day Governor Crist. I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and excellent health.
I’m writing to you as an NPA (no party affiliation) voter who is not associated to either the Democratic or Republican parties and in regards to your recent input that the Democratic Primary here in Florida should be carried out all over again:
March 6: Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., talks with Hardball’s Chris Matthews about why the Democratic delegates of Florida and Michigan should be represented at the DNC.
Watch Hardball Video Here
I have four words for you: Not On My Dime
(more over the fold)
First and foremost, the Democratic representatives for Florida, in deciding to move their primary up, knew full well the ramifications of their actions. Sure, the voters (end-users) didn't get much say, but their representatives knew the price they'd pay in, for one, the elimination of their delegates' voices.
Secondly, though I realize you are attempting to speak as "Governor of Florida for all the Democratic residents of Florida", you're trumped by two things that look like conflict of interests:
- You're a Republican who has endorsed Senator McCain (a candidate certain he can beat Senator Clinton but unsure of how to beat Senator Obama), and
- You're highly suspected of being the vice-presidential nominee on Senator McCain’s ticket.
Third, my taxes – I can safely presume – paid towards the costs of the initial primaries for both major political parties. Florida holds "closed" primaries, meaning NPA votes like me don't get to participate in the primaries, whatsoever. Therefore, I paid for Republicans and Democrats to "go to the ball" the first time without me, I'll not pay for an event to which I'm not permitted, a second time.
So, I'd like to politely request two things:
- Don’t spend a dime of my money on another Democratic primary, and
- Worry about things of which you should be concerned – like insurance rates!
To be more blunt: Butt Out!
UPDATE Response from Charlie Crist's office (emphasis mine):
Thank you for contacting Governor Charlie Crist. The Governor appreciates your opinions and asked that I respond on his behalf.
To ensure that Florida voters would have a greater role in choosing the next leader of the free world, the Florida Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a law moving Florida's Presidential Primary Election from the second Tuesday in March to January 29. The Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee determined that moving Florida's primary to January 29 violated party rules.
The Democratic National Committee ultimately ruled that Florida would not be allowed to send delegates to the party's national nominating convention in August while the Republican National Committee will allow Florida to seat only half of its normal allotment of delegates to their party's nominating convention in September. Democratic candidates for President signed and honored a pledge not to campaign in Florida, but Republican candidates continued to aggressively seek votes in our state.
Despite this, voters turned out in record numbers to exercise their right to vote on January 29. Governor Crist believes the right to vote is the foundation of our nation's democracy and that it is reprehensible that the national political party bosses in Washington have denied the citizens of Florida the right to have their votes count.
Although some have suggested holding another primary, the Governor does not support this option if Florida taxpayers would be asked to pay for it. The Governor believes the national political parties should bear the cost if that remedy is chosen. There has already been an election and the Governor has called upon the respective state and national party chairs to resolve this matter and to ensure that the voters of Florida are full participants in the formal selection of their parties' nominees.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact Governor Crist. If you have questions regarding Florida's role at the nominating conventions, I encourage you to share your views directly with the political parties.