Florida Defies the DNC

How damaging is it to Florida and to the Democratic presidential hopefuls that they've pledged not to campaign in the state?
I think we're going to see activity between now and Jan. 29. They're each going to have to decide to what degree their appearances comply with the pledge that they signed. That's kind of a discussion for each individual presidential candidate. I'm aware of scheduled appearances of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and I assume other candidates [will come too]. I certainly hope it will not be for just paid participation. There is a way for there to be grass-roots participation, even if it's for a couple dollars, so it can expose Democratic candidates to a large number of people in Florida. But at the end of the day, the four states should release the candidates from the pledge … It would be shortsighted if they insist on enforcing the pledge.

Can you explain the new "Make It Count" campaign that the Florida Democratic Party just announced?
They established a Web site, makeitcountflorida.com. It's going to be our push to make sure Democratic voters are aware that there is a primary that will count, that we intend to conduct a full-blown campaign, from schoolhouse up to presidential candidates, and make their vote count. We will take that message all the way to the convention floor in August 2008, with the full expectation that the full delegation will be seated.

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