Oh Yea, Hillary Claims Victory In Florida

Like other Democratic presidential wanabees, Hillary pledged "not to campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina."

Hillary found it expedient to make that "pledge" so she could compete in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

Here is the pledge as signed by Bill Richardson:

Four State Pledge Letter 2008

Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina

August 31, 2007

WHEREAS, over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;

WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;

WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to ensure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.

THEREFORE, I Bill Richardson, Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as "campaigning" is defined by the rules and regulations of the DNC. It does not include activities specifically related to raising campaign resources such as fundraising events or the hiring of fundraising staff.

Democratic Candidate for President

The nominating contests haven't gone the way Hillary had hoped. She came in a disappointing third in Iowa. She managed to squeak out a surprise victory in New Hampshire. In Michigan, where unlike the other top tier Democratic candidates Hillary refused to remove her name from the ballot, she survived almost being upstaged by "Uncommitted." Hillary won the vote count, but lost the delegate race in the Nevada caucuses, after she and Bill Clinton started playing the race card. Then, Hillary was buried by Barack Obama's South Carolina avalanche, which led to the Kennedys' endorsement of Obama.

Battered and looking to gain some traction before Super Tuesday, Hillary began appearing in Florida in anticipation of the Democratic primary there. Such appearances are a violation of Democratic Party Rules, which prohibit Hillary's Florida appearances:

There is a new rule that imposes new sanctions on presidential candidates. If a state, any state, violates the rule on timing/the window, presidential candidates will face sanctions if they campaign in that state. Examples of campaigning include: making personal appearances in the state, hiring campaign workers, and buying advertising and so on.

Currently, the only punishment for states that violate the window was on State Parties. This new enforcement provision recognizes that presidential candidates must also bear a responsibility in enforcing the window or face sanctions.

Far from being meaningless, Hillary's Florida "win" is extremely significant. Hillary's blatant disregard of her pledge and brazen violation of part rules is extremely meaningful. It provides hard evidence to support Obama's assertion that Hillary will say anything to win the nomination -- lie about her pledge, cheat over the rules -- in order to win steal the election.