Florida ? The Democratic National Committee decided Saturday to strip Florida of its delegates to the 2008 party convention if the committee and the state can’t settle a dispute over the timing of Florida’s primary.

The DNC’s Rules Committee met in Washington Saturday to take up the dispute, which arose after Florida’s Legislature decided to move the presidential primary from March to Jan. 29 so the state could have more influence on the national stage.

The DNC decided to wait 30 days before taking action against the state, giving the two sides time to work out an agreement.

Several Democrats representing Florida’s congressional delegation have threatened legal action if the national party tried to punish the state for moving the primary.

Florida Republicans decided on Aug. 11 to send a full complement of delegates to the GOP national convention despite the national party’s threat to cut in half the number of delegates it would allow.