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Florida waits to hear from rivals Florida waits to hear from rivals
(about 4 hours later)
Florida Democrats are waiting to hear from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and national party leaders, about plans to re-stage their presidential primary.Florida Democrats are waiting to hear from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and national party leaders, about plans to re-stage their presidential primary.
They have set out a proposal to run the primary again in a bid to resolve a row over whether the party's January ballot in the state counts.They have set out a proposal to run the primary again in a bid to resolve a row over whether the party's January ballot in the state counts.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will not support the plan unless both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton back it.The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will not support the plan unless both Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton back it.
A decision is due by Monday and officials warn it is not a done deal.A decision is due by Monday and officials warn it is not a done deal.
Florida Democrats earlier lost the right to send delegates to the crucial summer nominating convention because Florida brought its primary date forward without permission.Florida Democrats earlier lost the right to send delegates to the crucial summer nominating convention because Florida brought its primary date forward without permission.
The proposed new primary would have a combination of postal and walk-in votes.The proposed new primary would have a combination of postal and walk-in votes.
With Democrat's Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton locked in such a tight race, Florida could play an important role once again, in deciding who wins America's presidential election, the BBC's James Coomarasamy reports.With Democrat's Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton locked in such a tight race, Florida could play an important role once again, in deciding who wins America's presidential election, the BBC's James Coomarasamy reports.
Footing the billFooting the bill
At the moment the votes of the 1.75 million Democrats who took part in the first primary simply will not countAt the moment the votes of the 1.75 million Democrats who took part in the first primary simply will not count
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,602 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,497 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 1400 GMT 13 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: DelegatesDEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,602 Delegates won on 11 March: 17Total states won: 26 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,497 Delegates won on 11 March: 11Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025. Source: AP at 1400 GMT 13 March Denver horse-trading aheadDelegate count overviewQ&A: Delegates
Although no candidates campaigned in the state, Hillary Clinton won the original ballot by a large margin.Although no candidates campaigned in the state, Hillary Clinton won the original ballot by a large margin.
Florida's Democratic party says its re-vote plan is the only fair and reasonable way to proceed.Florida's Democratic party says its re-vote plan is the only fair and reasonable way to proceed.
Many questions remain, not least of which who will foot the estimated $10m-$12m bill for the new election.Many questions remain, not least of which who will foot the estimated $10m-$12m bill for the new election.
There is also the problem of trust and concerns about voter fraud in a state where memories of the 2000 presidential election vote counting controversy are still fresh.There is also the problem of trust and concerns about voter fraud in a state where memories of the 2000 presidential election vote counting controversy are still fresh.
Barack Obama, for one, has expressed his opposition to any purely postal ballot.Barack Obama, for one, has expressed his opposition to any purely postal ballot.
Fraud concernsFraud concerns
Presenting the proposal, Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.Presenting the proposal, Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, urged state leaders and the presidential candidates to come on board.
"Let me be clear. This is by no means a done deal," she was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."Let me be clear. This is by no means a done deal," she was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
Under the plan, all Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would be sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.Under the plan, all Florida's 4.1 million registered Democrats would be sent a ballot in the post and would have the choice of posting it back or casting it in person at a polling station.
The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver.The process would conclude on 3 June, a week before the Democratic National Committee deadline to name delegates to the convention in Denver.
"In my view there are two options - honour the results or hold new primary elections," Mrs Clinton said on Wednesday."In my view there are two options - honour the results or hold new primary elections," Mrs Clinton said on Wednesday.
"I don't see any other solutions that are fair and honour the commitment that 2.5 million voters made in the Democratic primaries in those two states.""I don't see any other solutions that are fair and honour the commitment that 2.5 million voters made in the Democratic primaries in those two states."
The two candidates largely abided by a pledge to the Democratic National Committee not to campaign in either state ahead of their vote.The two candidates largely abided by a pledge to the Democratic National Committee not to campaign in either state ahead of their vote.
But Mrs Clinton, senator for New York, was the only major candidate to leave her name on the ballot in Michigan after the state was penalised.But Mrs Clinton, senator for New York, was the only major candidate to leave her name on the ballot in Michigan after the state was penalised.
'DNC decides''DNC decides'
Mr Obama has expressed concerns over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it is organised at such short notice.Mr Obama has expressed concerns over whether a Florida postal vote could be held with fairness and accuracy if it is organised at such short notice.
But, he told reporters on Thursday, his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".But, he told reporters on Thursday, his campaign would "abide by whatever the DNC decides".
The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press.The Illinois senator currently leads the fight for delegates with 1,602 to Mrs Clinton's 1,497, according to the Associated Press.
The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
The Democratic Party is keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.The Democratic Party is keen to find a resolution that avoids damaging in-fighting, with an eye to the general election contest in November against presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.
Are you in Florida or Michigan? Do you think the states should hold new primaries? If so, when should they be held? How important a decision is this for the two states involved and the Democratic race? Send us your comments using the form below.
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