Primary fallout

Politics: The Democrats’ hard line against Florida could soften the party in ’08 | Jamie Dean

When members of the Republican Party of Florida gather at the posh Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando this month, high-profile presidential candidates will headline the two-day event: The slate includes Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, and John McCain.

A week later, when members of the Democratic Party of Florida gather for their annual convention at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., all the major Democratic presidential candidates will be conspicuously absent. Instead, the biggest draw of the weekend will likely be the 1970s rock band Orleans.

Such is the state of politics in the state of Florida: A showdown over primary dates has left Democrats abandoning the Florida campaign trail, and Republicans capitalizing on their absence. The political upheaval in the notorious swing state could have major implications for who wins the presidential nominations next fall, and who wins the presidency next November.