A way to avoid Democratic convention debacle?
By Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen went on political shows on CNN and MSNBC today to promote his proposal to settle the increasingly nasty Democratic presidential fight: a June gathering of superdelegates, the nearly 800 elected officials and party leaders, to declare their intentions after the last primaries on June 3 and settle the nominee before the party convention in late August.
"Things have gotten very bitter; it's very different than it was 90 days ago when Democrats were saying, 'Isn't it wonderful we have two great candidates,' " Bredesen, a moderate who describes himself as "genuinely uncommitted" in the Obama-Clinton fight, said in an interview with the Boston Globe.
His fear is that if Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue to slug it out all the way to the convention floor in Denver, it will leave the party divided and exhausted less than 10 weeks before the Nov. 4 election.
Obama told reporters last night that he was open to Bredesen's plan. "I think giving whoever the nominee is two or three months to pivot into the general election would be extremely helpful," he said.
Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is cool to the idea of a June summit of superdelegates, but Bredesen said he will continue to try to build support for the proposal, including this weekend at a policy conference that will be attended by about a dozen Democratic governors.
In the interview with the Globe, Bredesen said he remains open to other suggestions, however. "Most of the other suggestions seem to be, 'Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best,' " he said. "Hope is not a strategy."
Clinton's campaign has been under pressure from some Obama partisans, citing his lead in delegates, total votes, and fund-raising, to give up because she has almost no chance of overtaking him in the contest for pledged delegates. With 10 contests remaining until June 3, Clinton trails Obama by 122 delegates, according to the Associated Press tally. Clinton holds an edge among the more than half of all superdelegates who have already declared their allegiance.
The Clinton campaign, however, continues to send strong signals that it won't fold. Clinton said this week that voters don't want to "shut this race down."
Senator Clinton's chief surrogate, former president Bill Clinton, told voters in West Virginia today, "My family's not big on quitting."
He also downplayed concern over the campaign's tone, saying, "Let's just saddle up and have an argument. What's the matter with that?"
I think the people of all States in the US should have their votes counted. I don't think the race is over until all people in our country have had a chance to vote.
Obama holds 4 Kings. Clinton holds 3 Aces. There is still one hand to be dealt- the winner of the ultimate majority vote. She has as good a chance, when Florida (voters, NOT un-seatable delegates) are included, as Obama. At the end of the process, the super-delegates will have a tough time giving the nomination to Obama if he has lost the majority vote. Asking Clinton to fold before the last hand is dealt, and she may win, is perverse and un-American.
you know i said this months ago..tell the superdelegates to make a choice..give them a dead line..or the democrats will end up losing in November..
Ladies and Gentlemen it is without question that Barack Obama will be the Democratic party nominee. He won more votes, more pledged delegates, more states. You cannot simply move the goaI posts any longer just ask Bobby Bowden or Nancy Pelosi. I for one appreciate the tempering Senator Obama has received from Billary’s “kitchen sink, Tonya Harding” strategies. Senator Obama will be stronger for having risen above her divisiveness and our candidate will thus be prepared for the Karl Roves and their fear be afraid be very afraid techniques. The Democrats lost the House of Representatives, the Senate adn ofcourse the white House thanks to Bill Clinton ready for more of that?
John McCain Senator “McWar” cannot create more make believe boogeymen; the American people are now on to that b.s..
I fought in Iraq in the All Americans 82nd Airborne and join the now legions of my comrades opposed to the war which has cost 4000+ of my comrades in arms their lives and maimed another 25,000+. How much does a trillion and counting cost each American family? I ask any citizen who doubts the price of this war to visit the nearest Veterans hospital to them. The one I visit for therapy has a plaque on it that states The price of freedom is clearly evident here. The price for Iraq is way too high for a war which we should not be in. No WMD, No ties to Al Qaeda Etc. Etc. I pray that our country is really prepared to show courage and turn the page away from the dismal George W. cowboy with no guts or sense years and put our great nation on a better path.
Vote Barack Obama America.
DON'T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable. And also because with a Clinton and Obama ticket you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. “Carpe diem” (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see’s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She is a woman, and a mother. And it’s time America. Do this for your-self, and your children’s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama’s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been out manned, out gunned, and out spent 2 and 3 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON’T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
I think Barack Obama has a once in a life time chance to make the ultimate historic gesture for unity, and change in America by accepting Hillary Clinton’s offer as running mate. Such an act now would for ever seal Barack Obama’s place at the top of the list of Americas all time great leaders, and unifiers for all of history.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton’s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
Sincerely
jacksmith...
Take it to the Convention Floor!
America Wants A Winner!
I want a President that will "fight for US" ... not like that piss-ant Dubya and his sidekick Dick "they're only poor kids, who cares" Cheney.
Give me Liberty or Give me Death!
Don't Tread on Me!
I agree with Bill Clinton! Back off Pelosi & Reid and other Dem leaders! What you are trying to do stinks to high heaven. You let we the people decide for ourselves who is best to be our next President! We have 10 more primaries and Florida and Michigan to go before you shoot off your mouths! You are being irresponsible leaders and we will not forget!
Irrespective of the various candidates, Sen Obama has consistently focused on practical approach to the issues versus canned answers, personal attacks or ideological dogma that prevails with ALL the alternatives.
He has raised the bar in American politics not by discussing race, he had no choice in that, but by addressing the American public as adults with common sense and unequaled frankness.
The real question is whether we, all Americans, will encourage and reward this approach or kill the messenger. The answer to that question is the crucial determinate of our collective future.
The voters in Tennessee have been allowed to have their say in the primary, but there are millions of voters in other states who would like the opportunity to vote. Why all the hurry, we have about ten states left, let them have their day in the voting booth. This race for the nomination can be likened to the Boston Marathon. Should the runners take a short cut and head to the finish line? That would not be fair to all the people who line the streets to cheer them on to victory. If Hillary has the stamina and is in it to win, why deny her the opportunity. After all is this race not a march to victory? I say to Hillary MARCH ON! MARCH ON TO VICTORY! Don't Stop Believing!
This week, Hillary, a consumate Actress & Mistress of Spin, (=s Phony) sat down with her arch enemey, Richard Mellon Scaife in Pittsburgh, the very one who during her White House years accused her of the murder of Vince Foster and said that Bill and she had committed 60 murders to hide their crimes, in an ill-advised and ill-timed manner to re-introduce the Rev. Wright issue -- by the way, the very Rev. Wright that they Invited to the White House. Then they sent out Sen. McGovern to re-introduce the Gender Fight, so now we have a racial and gender fight to instigate more division while trying to Divert attention from her Big Gaf, the Bosnia Tale of Sniper Fire, which we all know now is a complete Fabrication told THREE times, which is a betrayal of the public trust and goes right to the Heart of character. They somtimes even Stage their audiences. However, the American People do Demand that thier Politicians be trustworthy and truthful! And, if it was not for Rush Limbaugh, and Bill's visit to Rush during the Texas Primarys, Barack would have won Texas but for the 100,000 Republican votes casted for Hillary which put her slightly over the top. However, the Republicans who vote for Barack, genuinely like him unlike the Republicans who vote for Hillary, as a way to "bloody" Barack up, as stated by Rush Limbaugh! As for her Tonya Harding, Tonya was sent packing in disgrace! Hillary is out of control and someone should stop her. As for Hillary's scheme to make Barack look "unelectable", I say "Chickens Coming Home to Roost"! I say No More "Do and Say Anything" Politicians!
Any person who stays in a church for 20 years with a preacher such as Wright has no right to be president of the U.S. It doesn't matter how great his speech was saying that he didn't agree with Wright - what else could he say - please! And, with regard to McPeak - let's see if he lets him go. His statements with regard to Israel are and should be unacceptable to any Jew. DF in Orinda, California
NO. 5 (Jacksmith) must really be smoking something. The debacle we now face is the sole result of dumb Dems. However it comes out, blaming the Republicans will only serve to feed our denial.
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