Obama, Edwards Join Democratic Boycott Of Rogue Primaries

Barack Obama and John Edwards join three other Democratic presidential wannabees in pledging to boycott states that break party rules by holding early primaries

In signing the pledge, the five candidates promise not to campaign in states holding rouge primaries:

I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as "campaigning" is defined by the rules and regulations of the DNC. It does not include activities specifically related to raising campaign resources such as fundraising events or the hiring of fundraising staff.

Their pledge leaves Hillary as the only Democratic candidate planning to compete in Florida and Michigan.

A pact to ignore tens of millions of diverse Americans by a selfish, four-state alliance of party insiders.

That's the reaction of Florida Democratic Party chairwoman, Karen Thurman.

A week ago, Democratic Party officials decided to disenfranchise Florida voters, unless the state party agrees to hold its primary later in the 2008 election calendar.