But many members of the committee said Florida Democrats had not proven they did all they could to prevent the date change and, regardless, the DNC had to enforce the rules to preserve some sense of order to a process that has become increasingly front-loaded.

James Roosevelt Jr., the committee's co-chair, said the legislative record demonstrates their point. "It makes it clear that the Republicans were the moving force behind the selection of a date that violated both the Democratic and Republican rules, but the efforts to oppose that were form over substance," he said.

Donna Brazile, who sits on the committee and is most known for managing Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign, said she sympathized with Florida, but couldn't back them.

"I understand how states crave to be first. I understand that they are envious of the role Iowa and New Hampshire have traditionally played," she said. "But the truth is that we have a process and, whether some of us are mum or some of us shout it, we uphold it."

Others on the committee noted that other, larger states resisted the urge to move up their primaries in violation of party rules. "Rules are rules, and California abided by them and I believe Florida should as well," said Garry Shay, a committee member from California who noted that his state decided against trying to hold a primary in early January.

The Democratic Leadership in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives attempted to adhere to the rules of the DNC by offering amendments to keep the presidential preference primary on February 5, 2008. A copy of the amendment offered by myself and the Senate Democratic Leader Pro Tempore is included with this letter. An identical amendment was filed by the House Democratic Leader and the House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore. But as we are still the minority party in a Republican controlled Legislature, our amendments were overwhelmingly defeated. Simply put—we were outvoted, a scenario which - I’d like to caution - will be difficult to change should you move forward with any sanctions because of the primary date change.

The DNC members had handouts that included quotes by House Minority leader Dan Gelber brushing off Howard Dean, and the following transcript of Steve Geller making the motion to move the primary to Feb. 5:

Geller: "...So the Democratic leader and the Democratic leader pro tem are jointly making this motion, which we will duly show them later, that we tried not to have the election on, um, before (Feb. 5).

President: "And so Sen. Geller are you urging a negative vote or would you like us to pass this vote?"

Geller: "Oh no sir. We really, really want this. Don't we senator? (sarcasm and audible laughter in chamber).

I'm glad that the party has reached the same conclusion that was reached by the congressional delegation a week ago," said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida.

A supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, Wasserman Schultz had staunchly opposed a re-vote.

..."Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, has called for a new Florida primary, although he thinks the national party should pay for it. But Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz says another election would be too expensive."

....""The potential of a do-over is slim to none," said Wasserman Schultz, a national co-chair of Clinton's campaign. "The cost of a do-over is beyond reach. A do-over would be unfair. We still have nerves that are very raw from the 2000 recount in Florida."