WASHINGTON - As the Democratic rules committee slowly progresses - nothing on Fl yet - it's maybe worth pondering the assorted and sometimes contradictory motivations and interests of the players. Sitting on the rules committee is only one Floridian - Allan Katz, who happens to be a close ally of Howard Dean. That may partly explain why he's always been receptive to Florida making the Jan. 29 primary non-binding and holding later caucuses. Sitting next to him is Harold Ickes, the pal of Hillary Clinton, who would be the main beneficiary of Florida keeping all its delegates and voting early. Across the table is Michigan Democratic chairman Mark Brewer, who comes from a state that also may bust the calendar window and surely would get socked with the same penalties as Florida if they do.

Waiting to argue on Florida's behalf is former FL Democratic chairwoman Terrie Brady, a teachers union leader who is particularly focused on the Jan. 29 property tax amendment that could force big cuts in education funding. The unions want to do nothing to undercut Democratic turnout on Jan. 29, like making the presidential race non-binding.

Then there's Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who's not at the meeting but has been raging about the DNC's penalties in recent days. Nelson will ultimately make a Democratic endorsement (Hillary is our guess). Nelson's never had a big political machine in Florida, so Would a Florida caucus undercut the importance of his endorsement?

UPDATE: Florida discussion starts about 11:20. Karen Thurman hasn't shown up yet.

...Scratch that. She just walked in late and out of breath.