“We know if [there is] a bitter fight and one side or the other stalks off, the winner of the Democratic [nomination] fight can’t win,” Schumer said in reference to the nominee’s general election prospects if either Clinton or Obama supporters feel cheated by a decision on how to handle the Florida and Michigan delegates. “So there’s a huge pressure to come up with a compromise that’s fair.”
Van Hollen voiced similar concern.
“I agree we should resolve this before the convention,” he said.
Dean said on ABC that Florida and Michigan could find a new way to select delegates in accordance with party rules — such as by holding new elections — or could “appeal to the Credentials Committee and hope for the best in July,” referring to the panel in charge of accrediting convention delegates.
Nelson, Florida’s senior senator, sent a letter to Dean Thursday demanding that the DNC pay for another primary in his state. Nelson warned of dire political consequences if his constituents were not recognized at the party convention in August.
“If they go to the Democratic Convention and stiff-arm the Florida delegations, how in the world do you think Floridians are going to support the Democratic nominee on Nov. 4?” he told reporters.
Nelson said he sent the letter to Dean because the party chairman did not return a phone call the senator placed Wednesday.
A DNC official said Thursday that Dean made an unsuccessful attempt to reach Nelson.
Manu Raju contributed to this article.
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