Obama Puts Democrats in Peril

Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.) has asked voters -- Democrats, independents and Republicans -- to see him as a unifying force, a once-in-a-lifetime politician who can overcome the partisan divide and change politics in Washington. He presents a bold vision.

Unfortunately, Obama has failed in his first test to unify his own party. His campaign has failed to recognize the results of the Florida primary -- and Michigan -- for political gain over his opponent, a decision that could disgruntle Democratic voters in Florida in November and years beyond.

The Democratic National Committee, led by Howard Dean, got caught in a trap set by Florida Republicans and has been trying to escape it ever since. The Republican-run Florida Legislature rammed through a bill to move up Florida's primary.

Democratic legislators had little power to stop the bill, and they wound up endorsing the bill when it included a verifiable paper trail for elections. The move violated both the rules of the DNC and the Republican National Committee. ...