WASHINGTON — Even as Florida’s Democratic Party investigates the possibility of holding a second primary by mail, representatives of the two presidential candidates are resisting a do-over. Instead, U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, who chairs Barack Obama’s Florida campaign, said Monday that he and several other members of Congress — including Hillary Rodham Clinton’s supporters — plan to meet with Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean this week and urge him to act as mediator.
“We’re going to press him to press the principals to compromise,” Wexler said, referring to the two campaigns. “People are understanding this current impasse serves no one.”
Florida and Michigan were penalized, losing their delegates, for holding early primaries. Party officials are exploring ways to ensure that Florida’s voters are counted. The leading option: a mail-in vote. Estimated cost: $6 million, the tab picked up by contributions to the state party. Opponents of a do-over say the state lacks experience in running such elections.
