Why A 100% Sanction?

I called up Florida party headquarters to ask this question today, because with all the noise going on about this, I still was unable to find an answer myself. Originally Florida was to be sanctioned, by the DNC, a 50% decrease in delegates; just as the RNC has done. The DNC --> 2008 Delegate Selection Rules, page 20, state:

"Violation of timing: In the event the Delegate Selection Plan of a state party provides or permits a meeting, caucus, convention or primary which constitutes the first determining stage in the presidential nominating process to be held prior to or after the dates for the state as provided in Rule 11 of these rules, or in the event a state holds such a meeting, caucus, convention or primary prior to or after such dates, the number of pledged delegates elected in each category allocated to the state pursuant to the Call for the National Convention shall be reduced by fifty (50%) percent, and the number of alternates shall also be reduced by fifty (50%) percent. In addition, none of the members of the Democratic National Committee and no other unpledged delegate allocated pursuant to Rule 8.A. from that state shall be permitted to vote as members of the state’s delegation. In determining the actual number of delegates or alternates by which the state’s delegation is to be reduced, any fraction below .5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and any fraction of .5 or greater shall be rounded up to the next nearest whole number."

Then the DNC made each candidate sign a "four state pledge". In this document, candidates pledged to "honor the status" of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada as the first primary states on the calendar, by refusing to actively campaign in states found to be violation of the Democratic National Committee's delegate selection rules. All candidate signed this document. And, as far as I know, they all have adhered to their pledge. So, honestly, I still do not know why the sanctions were increased to 100%. As soon as I know, you will know.

To research this further, you may also want to review the DNC --> 2008 Call To The Convention.