Hillary and Florida - Simon Rosenberg

Like many I wish the Democratic Party could have found a way to let the votes of the people of Michigan and Florida be counted. Unfortunately the rules were the rules, all the candidates agreed to them, and - for the most part - have stuck by them.

So what exactly is Hillary doing by going to Florida to declare victory, pushing her way into whatever is the big Republican story tonight? Somehow given the events of the last few weeks this move just feels wrongly timed. Too many questions are being raised about the Clinton's integrity, their willingness to do whatever it takes to win, even sacrificing long held values and beliefs in the process.

Having worked on the New Hampshire primary and in the War Room in 1992 for the Clintons, I was present at the creation of the famous "rapid response" campaign style and fierce fighting spirit of the Clinton era. In the very first meeting of the famous War Room James Carville warned us "that if you don't like to eat sh-- everyday you shouldn't be in politics." So I understand as well as anyone that this is a tough game, not for the faint of heart.

But there is a line in politics where tough and determined becomes craven and narcissistic, where advocacy becomes spin, and where integrity and principle is lost. I am concerned that this Florida gambit by the Clinton campaign is once again putting two of my political heroes too close - or perhaps over - that line. So that even if they win this incredible battle with Barack Obama they will end up doing so in a way that will make it hard for them to bring the Party back together, and to lead the nation to a new and better day.

Simon Rosenberg is President and Founder of NDN, a leading progressive think tank and advocacy organization.Simon has worked in national politics and the media world for more than 20 years. He started his career in network television, as a writer and producer at ABC News for five years, before working on the Dukakis and Clinton Presidential campaigns. On the Clinton campaign, he was a member of the famous 1992 Clinton War Room. After the campaign, Simon worked at the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Leadership Council and then started what is now NDN in 1996.

During his time at the helm of NDN and its predecessor organization the New Democrat Network, Simon has helped elect more than 50 new members to the Senate and House of Representatives, has been an influential champion of a new and more modern agenda for the nation, has been an innovator in helping progressives reach out to and communicate with Hispanic voters, and has been a leader in creating a 21st century progressive movement.

Simon is a member of the Aspen Institute's 2001 Class of Henry Crown Fellows, served on the 2004 Democratic National Convention Platform Committee, and sits on the board of the Tisch College for Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. A 1985 graduate of Tufts University, Simon and his family live in Washington, DC.