DNC Sanctions Florida

Florida got to see some science happen on Saturday, as the Democratic National Committee voted to sanction that state for breaking party rules and scheduling their primary earlier than allowed.

The Politico reports that only four states are allowed by Democratic Party rules to set their primary activities earlier than the extraordinarily popular date of February 5th. As Florida broke that rule and their primary on January 29th, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee decided to flex a little muscle and divest Florida of all of its delegates.

If Florida changes the primary date before thirty days are up, they will ostensibly get their delegates back. It also works out without being a scorched earth policy because candidates can still campaign there. Politico also mentions the possibility of a "beauty contest" — in which people will vote and a winner is declared but no delegates are awarded.

Much will probably be made of what the decision means, or whether the rules committee was unfair, especially in Florida. However, the decisive, firm, and revocable action sets a standard. Now other states that would seek to jump the barrier know what waits for them; without any sort of action on the part of the DNC, Michigan would soon follow Florida, and then who knows what would happen. Any number of states could decide to set their primaries ridiculously early, cats would lie down with dogs... it would be mayhem.

You can be sure this story will continue to develop, but for now, the DNC has drawn a line in the sand, and that line mdash; except for four pre-designated states — is February 5th.