counting those Florida and Michigan Dems

The Florida Dems throw up their hands and throw the problem back to the national party.

The Michigan Dems seem to be moving toward a privately-financed primary do-over. (Now, if we can just get the major parties to pay for all of their primaries-- instead of sticking taxpayers with the bill!)

And what does all of this say about the Democrats and their feelings about "rule of law"?

In any case, it may be an historic and memorable Democratic convention!

From the AP's Brendan Harrington (hat tip: C-J)...

Facing strong opposition, Florida Democrats on Monday abandoned plans to hold a do-over presidential primary with a mail-in vote and threw the delegate dispute into the lap of the national party.

While the decision by Florida Democrats left the state's 210 delegates in limbo, Democrats in Michigan moved closer to holding another contest on June 3. Legislative leaders reviewed a measure Monday that would set up a privately funded, state-administered do-over primary...

In Florida, a frustrated Democratic Party chairwoman Karen L. Thurman sent a letter announcing the decision.

"A party-run primary or caucus has been ruled out, and it's simply not possible for the state to hold another election, even if the party were to pay for it," Thurman said. "... This doesn't mean that Democrats are giving up on Florida voters. It means that a solution will have to come from the DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee, which is scheduled to meet again in April."

Members of Florida's congressional delegation unanimously opposed the plan, and Barack Obama expressed concern about the security of a mail-in vote organized so quickly. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign expressed disappointment with Florida's decision....

The national party punished Michigan and Florida for holding primaries before Feb. 5, stripping them of all their delegates to the party's national convention this summer in Denver. All the Democratic candidates agreed not to campaign in the states, and Obama did not appear on Michigan's ballot. Clinton won both primaries. As the race with Obama has tightened, she has argued the delegates should be seated or new primaries held.