By Billy House
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- Florida’s two senators, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, have come together in an unusual public service announcement to try and clear up confusion over Florida’s Jan. 29 presidential primary.
“He’s a Republican,” Democrat Bill Nelson points to Republican Mel Martinez, standing at his side.
“And he’s a Democrat,” Martinez points to Nelson, both of them in front of an American flag.
“But we’re Floridians first,” the two lawmakers say together.
Then two then say Florida will play a pivotal role in picking nominees for their respective parties in Tuesday’s primary, regardless of the disputes with national party leaders.
“The eyes of the nation will be on Florida,” says Martinez.
“And the winners in Florida could well decide who the next president will be,” adds Nelson. The two senators, neither of whom have endorsed a presidential candidate, made both an English version and Spanish version of the ad.
Here's the English version of the spot made at WMFE in Orlando, and made available to both public and commercial television stations.
Here's the Spanish language version:
Their announcement is aimed at over the confusion over whether the Florida primary will count, considering penalties imposed by both national parties because of the too-early date. There are predictions that voter turnout could be low, as a result.
As with Michigan's Democratic primary, held Tuesday, the Democratic National Committee has stripped Florida of all of its delegates to the party’s convention next summer. And Democratic candidates have pledged not to campaign there until after the primary.
The Republican National Committee has cut the value of Florida’s GOP primary in half, reducing the delegates at stake to 52.
Both moves have led to predictions that voter turnout – particularly among Democrats – may be lower than usual.
Still, some political analyists say winning the Florida Democratic primary carries the potential to be a big psychological and momentum booster headed into the so-called Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, when 1,681 Democratic delegates are decided in a deluge of contests in 22 states.
And the state's Republican primary could help bring more clarity to or winnow the field of GOP contenders heading into the party's Feb.5 contests in 21 states, where 1,081 delegates are at stake.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com or at 1 (202) 662-7673.
“He’s a Republican,” Democrat Bill Nelson points to Republican Mel Martinez, standing at his side.
“And he’s a Democrat,” Martinez points to Nelson, both of them in front of an American flag.
“But we’re Floridians first,” the two lawmakers say together.
Then two then say Florida will play a pivotal role in picking nominees for their respective parties in Tuesday’s primary, regardless of the disputes with national party leaders.
“The eyes of the nation will be on Florida,” says Martinez.
“And the winners in Florida could well decide who the next president will be,” adds Nelson. The two senators, neither of whom have endorsed a presidential candidate, made both an English version and Spanish version of the ad.
Here's the English version of the spot made at WMFE in Orlando, and made available to both public and commercial television stations.
Here's the Spanish language version:
Their announcement is aimed at over the confusion over whether the Florida primary will count, considering penalties imposed by both national parties because of the too-early date. There are predictions that voter turnout could be low, as a result.
As with Michigan's Democratic primary, held Tuesday, the Democratic National Committee has stripped Florida of all of its delegates to the party’s convention next summer. And Democratic candidates have pledged not to campaign there until after the primary.
The Republican National Committee has cut the value of Florida’s GOP primary in half, reducing the delegates at stake to 52.
Both moves have led to predictions that voter turnout – particularly among Democrats – may be lower than usual.
Still, some political analyists say winning the Florida Democratic primary carries the potential to be a big psychological and momentum booster headed into the so-called Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, when 1,681 Democratic delegates are decided in a deluge of contests in 22 states.
And the state's Republican primary could help bring more clarity to or winnow the field of GOP contenders heading into the party's Feb.5 contests in 21 states, where 1,081 delegates are at stake.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@mediageneral.com or at 1 (202) 662-7673.