Howard Dean the chairman of the DNC is already starting to talk about the possibility trying to avert a "brokered" convention, should neither of the two remaining candidates achieve the required 2,025 pledged delegates by August. (CNN article)
"But if we don't (have a nominee), then we're gonna have to get the candidates together and make some kind of arrangement, because I don't think we can afford to have a brokered convention. That would not be good news for either party."
Since Barack Obama has turned out to be a formidable challenge to Hillary Clinton, practically splitting the delegate count from Super Tuesday, the likelyhood that neither of the candidates will have the required delegates for a first ballot win has increased dramatically. Should this scenario unfold, the real decision makers on who would be the Democratic nominee falls to those oh so obscure Super Delegates, you know the big wigs, the party elite, the ones that have mostly sided with Hillary Clinton.
Should this race come down to 795 people of power within the Democratic Party deciding who the nominee is, it could spell disaster for the party in the General Election in November. One thing that has been evident in this campaign is the enthusiasm that Barack Obama has brought to the political stage, and the massive increase in voting in the Democratic Primaries and Caucuses.
If the DNC decides to do a back room deal to set up a Democratic ticket, I firmly believe that they will lose a lot of that enthusiasm that has been building and driving the two candidate campaigns thus far in the process, opening the door for a possible Republican win in November.
The DNC is pretty much in a no-win situation at the moment. They prematurely annointed Hillary Clinton as the party nominee before any primary had been held, and now they have a serious movement within the party to nominate Barack Obama. Which ever side they decide to take in this contest, they will more than likely irritate and possibly alienate the other.
I think this is why CNN (possibly at the behest of the DNC) has been so fervently pushing a Clinton/Obama ticket possibility. At almost every opportunity Wolf Blitzer, when discussing the current delegate and super delegate situation tries to infuse the "dream ticket" notion (CNN Political Ticker). It gets the DNC off the hook with their constituency, without having to make the tough decision.
One thing is certain. As this Democratic nominee process unfolds, it is going to get a lot hotter for the Super Delegates the longer it stays close. It should be fun to watch :)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Dems starting to worry about "brokered" convention
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8 comments:
A Clinton/Obama ticket is still premature. Personally I think the upcoming primaries will favor Obama, as a result Clinton should bow out and consider settling for Vice President.
I think Dems already lost. They managed not just split their party and their coalition, but created huge animosity between the camps in such a way that many on the both sides will not vote for another especially when McCain is the alternative.
You hit it on the head, the party is more split now then ever... If Obama gets the nod then Hillary supporters will go McCane... I will I know that!
Will a deal be made so the dream ticket goes out to take the general election. But a requirement is that the president will need to retire in 2 years and so both will be president - with later one can make its legacy in the next term.
I have watched Donna Brazille on Sunday mornings and now her comment today. The fact of the matter is she has been promoting Obama at every turn. Her latest comment that she will "quit" the party if the super delegates are responsible for picking the nominee is really meant to say that, if the super-delegates select Clinton, she will walk away from the party and impliedly, so will Obama and any support he could bring to the ticket. In simple terms she is already starting the attempts to coerce and extort the nomination for Obama.
Would they walk away from the ticket of Clinton and a running mate? Absolutely! Why would they do this? Because without black and young voter support it will be difficult for Clinton to win the White House and Obama only has to wait 4 years instead of 8 to make his next run. In other words, it is all about him, not about what is good for the American people and the Democratic Party.
Sour grapes Donna and Obama. If you don't like the rules then use the system to change them for next time around. You don't seem to mind that the primaries are not winner take all. If they were you would be out of it already.
Howard Dean needs to shut up! He blew his chance and now he's causing problems for Hillary and Barrack. For the first time in years, Dems actually have a shot at the White House! We are excited and motivated to win this election! Let democracy run its course! If too much time passes, then fine, get Michigan and Florida involved - let the candidates campaign there - and then have a re-vote.
All hope is not lost, not by far! The Democratic Party is not splitting...yet. We'll get behind whoever wins the nomination as long as he/she wins it fairly! It's too soon to talk about seating Florida and Michigan delegates and counting up superdelegate votes! MANY FLORIDA DEMS STAYED HOME ON FEBRUARY 5th BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD OUR VOTES WOULDN'T COUNT. That's a fact that must be considered!
The party imposed the boycotts, not us Floridians, and the party must honor its decision or else allow another vote in Michigan and Florida. If the party and its candidates can't keep their word, then why on earth should any of us support the party or vote for any Democratic candidate?
Most of us will settle for either Barrack OR Hillary, so long as one or the other wins the nomination fairly. The only thing that could split the Democratic Party is rushing this process! Let democracy run its course so that everyone's voice is heard and every voter is represented!
Then, we'll take the White House!
As a young black republican, that hopped over to give my support for Barack, if Hillary wins the nomination I will vote Republican McCain. We are tired of the same OLD ways of politico!!! Its time for fresh water, and its time for the 'Joshua Generation'!!! Moses is dead!!! Get out of the way old timers, and allow someone fresh and new breathe new life into DEMOCRACY!!!
I think the big issue for Democrats right now is going to be the issue of the race going to the convention without a clear nominee, and the inevitable fight over the Michigan and Florida delegates, and then what the Super Delegates do. If it goes to the convention undecided, which I feel is becoming more likely, then the real tear in the party will occur, and it will be hard to heal in time for November.
PS: Thanks for all the comments.. :)
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