Behind Closed Doors, Democrats Seek Answers: "It will be solved by Obama and Clinton."

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: The Caucus
Behind Closed Doors, Democrats Seek Answers
By JOHN HARWOOD
Published: March 17, 2008

The public phase of the Democratic presidential race will now pause, briefly, for a back-to-the-future experiment in back-room deal-making. It’s an unusual turn for the self-styled party of the people, which four decades ago began to throw open the doors of its nomination process to rank-and-file voters. But Democrats have never faced a problem quite like the one that Michigan and Florida present for the race between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama....That has produced a frenzy of private consultations involving the Clinton and Obama campaigns, their allies in Michigan and Florida, the two state parties and the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean. Its resolution represents another variable in a nomination fight that has consistently defied prediction.

The party’s goal is a deal that neither splits key constituencies nor damages its broader reputation — the very things that sank Democratic hopes in 1968. “What matters,” said Rhodes Cook, a leading chronicler of nomination politics, “is the endgame.”

Ever since Michigan and Florida accelerated their primaries in defiance of party rules, the states have been regarded as outcasts. The party’s Rules Committee stripped them of their delegates, the major candidates declined to campaign there, and Mr. Obama removed his name from the Michigan ballot. What no one anticipated was that the nomination race would go on long enough that the exclusion of the two states mattered. So some Rules Committee members who voted to strip Michigan and Florida of their delegates want to give both states another chance....

***

Yet the complications of staging new contests, which under party rules must take place by June 10, are daunting even to the most experienced Democratic professionals. Proposals for mail-in balloting, “firehouse” caucuses and full primaries — at costs of up to $30 million — have all faced procedural and political objections. “I’m worried about the integrity of the process,” said Donna Brazile, who, like Ms. Kamarck, is a member of the party’s Rules Committee. “There are so many technical, legal, political challenges. Everything we do will face an enormous test of fairness.”...

***

As queasy as a negotiated solution might make reformers, (Tad Devine, a veteran of Democratic nomination fights since the Carter era) predicted that this endgame will end up at the top: “It will be solved by Obama and Clinton — and maybe even at that level.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/us/politics/17caucus.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Submariner]

1. This should be a no-brainer for Hillary - Drop out

she is behind on all the metrics, popular vote, delegates, number of states won, and she can't beat Obama unless she gets about 65% majorities in the rest of the states, according to number cruncher Chuck Todd on NBC.

For the good od the party she should bail now and try again in 8 years.

[Vincardog]

3. Roger that. Note to Hill "For the good of the party and country drop out now" Prove you have some

class.

[PinkTiger]

5. I disagree.

She is very much in the running. The problem is that Florida and Michigan are not counted. And I think we have to remember that even Barack Obama is not certain he can win a conventional campaign. This is anything but conventional, this primary fight we are dealing with. I realize those of you hoping Obama will prevail would love for HIllary to roll over and play dead, but she isn't going to. So get over it.

[bdamomma]

2. The web of problems and situtations will not resolved by

either Democratic candidate, it will take years to undo the damage that this wicked administration has done.

[Octoldit]

4. Hillary urging donors to blackmail DNC into stealing the election for her

by John Aravosis (DC) · 3/15/2008 01:12:00 PM ET



I'm really getting sick of Hillary's crap. Fighting tough is welcome. Fighting dirty is not. I liked Hillary. Joe and I reached out to her campaign to help them two years ago.

Now, I'm starting to wonder if even a small portion of the past vilification of the Clintons wasn't justified. I mean, urging your donors, for all intents and purposes, to blackmail the Democratic party?

In essence, telling your donors that if you can't be the nominee then the Democrats should lose the election? (And that's exactly what's happening. Hillary wants the DNC to seat the delegates from the non-election that happened in Florida after the state willfully violated DNC rules, knowing full well what would happen if they did.

Now Hillary wants all those delegates seated, from the non-election, so she can steal the election from Obama). Is it any wonder that 25% of Hillary's supporters say they won't support Obama in the general election?

Hillary is the one telling them that they shouldn't support Obama, that they shouldn't support their own party. Howard Dean should tell Hillary Lieberman stop her crap, now, or resign from the Democratic party.

Contrary to Her Majesty's thinking, there are other Democrats worthy of leading our country. Read more about Hillary's latest attempt to steal the election, from the NYT.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/03/h...kmail-dnc.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/us...QfyPdnTN623rfA

[Sherril]

6. Hillary With Withdrawal

I would certainly hope that the powers that be do NOT TRY TO FORCE her out of the race until all or most of the questions about Obama have been answered. No one will take a look at the questionable things that Obama has said and done. They bury their heads in the sand. IF YOU WANT A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IN JAN 2009, then go ahead; force Hillary out. John McCain will have a hey day with all the Rezko, Underground Weatherman, Jeremiah Wright, as well as the Rashid Khalidi thing, along with Dov Charney, and Edward Said, "Hanoi Jane", and Saddam' guy, Auchi. Then throw the earmark money to General Dynamics, one of the largest government providers of military weapons, that are some of the largest contributers to Obama's campaign in 2004, 2006, 2008. And how much earmark money did Obama get for them on top of some of the highest contracts awarded by the Defense Dept. You probably don't know what I'm talking about do you. And I bet you don't even really care, huh? You would rather Hillary bash instead of trying to get to know the wonder boy born in the manager. Well, guess what, John McCain does know and care. So Hello, PRESIDENT MCCAIN!!!!!!!