Chief
02-16-2008, 06:15 AM
http://www.thestar.com/News/USElection/article/304167
Democrats face bitter battles over so-called superdelegates and Hillary Clinton's appeal to get recognition for shut-out supporters in Michigan and Florida
Feb 16, 2008 04:30 AM
Tim Harper
WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON–On this long road to the Democratic presidential nomination, a frightening sign has popped up alongside the highway.
Warning. Potential Car Wreck Ahead.
There are two ways this riveting race for the prize between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could careen into the ditch and both are giving party officials the yips at night.
It may all come down to how hard the Clintons, their dynasty hanging by a thread, the traditional path to a convention win looking increasingly unlikely, will fight to wrest this nomination from Obama.
The balance of power today rests with the 796 so-called superdelegates, an elite group so far controlled by Clinton, and 366 phantom delegates from Michigan and Florida, the majority of whom the New York senator seeks to claim as her own.
Neither route to the nomination would appear likely without an ugly battle.
If Obama pulls ahead in the race, there is an expectation the superdelegates will begin to ditch Clinton and move to the perceived winner rather than risk thwarting the will of the voters.
This is, after all, a party still stinging from 2000, when their candidate won the popular vote but lost the election.
Clinton could be setting them up for failure again by asking them to stay with her.
In Michigan and Florida – stripped of their delegates for bucking party rules – Clinton won the popular vote easily, although no one campaigned in either state and Obama didn't even put his name on the Michigan ballot.
She has begun a push to have those delegates counted before the nomination race is over but she will have to parry accusations that she is seeking to change the rules in the middle of the game.
According to The Associated Press, Clinton has the support of 241 superdelegates, Obama 164, leaving 391 uncommitted.
They have never decided a brokered convention, but in a historically close delegate race, they could overturn the popular vote.
The best hope for the party at this moment may be a continued surge by Obama rendering all this academic.
**SCHNIPP**
I really don't see this mess settling out any time soon. Both parties have nobody but themselves to blame for the messes they find themselves in right now. The Democrats are in trouble over their Super Delegates, and the Republicans are kicking themselves over all of those "Winner Take All" primaries that have resulted in John McCain being the heir apparent.
The Conventions are going to be brutal, and it could be a long hot Fall depending on what happens at the Democratic Convention over Labor Day.
Far from over and developing slowly, and heating up steadily...
Democrats face bitter battles over so-called superdelegates and Hillary Clinton's appeal to get recognition for shut-out supporters in Michigan and Florida
Feb 16, 2008 04:30 AM
Tim Harper
WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON–On this long road to the Democratic presidential nomination, a frightening sign has popped up alongside the highway.
Warning. Potential Car Wreck Ahead.
There are two ways this riveting race for the prize between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could careen into the ditch and both are giving party officials the yips at night.
It may all come down to how hard the Clintons, their dynasty hanging by a thread, the traditional path to a convention win looking increasingly unlikely, will fight to wrest this nomination from Obama.
The balance of power today rests with the 796 so-called superdelegates, an elite group so far controlled by Clinton, and 366 phantom delegates from Michigan and Florida, the majority of whom the New York senator seeks to claim as her own.
Neither route to the nomination would appear likely without an ugly battle.
If Obama pulls ahead in the race, there is an expectation the superdelegates will begin to ditch Clinton and move to the perceived winner rather than risk thwarting the will of the voters.
This is, after all, a party still stinging from 2000, when their candidate won the popular vote but lost the election.
Clinton could be setting them up for failure again by asking them to stay with her.
In Michigan and Florida – stripped of their delegates for bucking party rules – Clinton won the popular vote easily, although no one campaigned in either state and Obama didn't even put his name on the Michigan ballot.
She has begun a push to have those delegates counted before the nomination race is over but she will have to parry accusations that she is seeking to change the rules in the middle of the game.
According to The Associated Press, Clinton has the support of 241 superdelegates, Obama 164, leaving 391 uncommitted.
They have never decided a brokered convention, but in a historically close delegate race, they could overturn the popular vote.
The best hope for the party at this moment may be a continued surge by Obama rendering all this academic.
**SCHNIPP**
I really don't see this mess settling out any time soon. Both parties have nobody but themselves to blame for the messes they find themselves in right now. The Democrats are in trouble over their Super Delegates, and the Republicans are kicking themselves over all of those "Winner Take All" primaries that have resulted in John McCain being the heir apparent.
The Conventions are going to be brutal, and it could be a long hot Fall depending on what happens at the Democratic Convention over Labor Day.
Far from over and developing slowly, and heating up steadily...