Letters to the Editor
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I have to say,
she did well in those races, and in the end, while I still think she is going to lose overall, if she can build momentum on this then she will deserve the win.
That said, why aren't both camps calling for Florida and Michigan to re-take their votes? I mean, okay it will cost a bit, but right now it seems to be the only way to include their delegates without splitting the Democratic party.
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Let Florida Vote
No one needs reminding of Florida's importance in winning the general election. Democrats cannot afford to lose even one Florida voter disgruntled because the state party disenfranchised them. With a popular governor behind him, McCain will run strongly in Florida. Neither his age, nor his positions on Irag and immigration will hurt him there. By contrast, Obama has serious problems with two key Florida constituencies: Latinos and Jews. Governor Christ has already agreed to devote state funds to a Democratic primary so let him do it. Let the two candidates go down and campaign their hearts out. I think it's Hillary country but if Obama can solve his Latino/Jewish problems then he deserves to head the ticket. If not, Democrats need the candidate who can carry the state in November.
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Michigan and Florida Are Too Important to Ignore
Both Clinton and Obama need to work with party elders and leaders in Michigan and Florida to set up rules for dealing with the voters/delegates. Michigan, especially, is too important for Democrats to ignore. And given the huge Democratic turnout in Florida's primary, we might even have a small shot at turning it blue in November. The state is still very conservative, particularly on national security and immigration, but they do have excited Democratic voters (unlike the Republicans).
It is definitely in the party's best interests to pursue a realistic plan to bring these states into the fold before Denver.
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system is broken
It should be one person, one vote. If the eventual Democratic nominee doesn't reflect this, then I think we should change the system by which candidates are selected. I understand the political reasons why Florida and Michigan got excluded from the process, but from a more general perspective the notion that noone in these states gets to vote is absurd.
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Worst. possible. outcome.
As this thing drags on it looks like the genuine excitement that it has generated is going to drain away - leaving nothing but bitterness and rancour.
The winning candidate (whether it be Obama or Clinton) will be faced with dispirited and divided supporters and no clear sense that he or she is the united choice. This is going to be even more likely as late desperation will result in both camps going negative.
They need to kiss and make up - is it too crazy to ask for a Clinton/Obama ticket?
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Cancelled coronation
The coronation was cancelled. Please realize that "change" does not happen with a click of your heels. You have to struggle. Sorry it's inconvenient. Learn from Hillary, don't give up. If you think this is hard, wait and see how hard governing will be.
Obama's alleged Mo was not and is not there. If he had it, she would have been, as you say in the younger set: "toast". But, guess no toast today.
The new "It Girl". She has it: moxey. She has vim and vigor. Learn from her how to struggle.
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Seriously, what's not to like?
An extended Democratic primary campaign will just keep the press hypnotized longer, and require the GOP to split its attacks. I honestly don't know why Howard Dean has ants in his pants about it going on too long.
The convention is supposed to be where the candidate gets chosen. This idea of having everything settled six months out is a conceit of the over-managed, conflict-averse modern Democratic party.
Being averse to conflict hasn't been working very well for them. A hotly contested convention will involve aggressive tactics and harsh words, yes, but we aren't Tipper Gore, here. Strong language isn't anything that big kids need to be afraid of.
So bring it on! Let the Democratic decision be the centerpiece of electoral drama this year. Let there be some actual uncertainty. Let the process actually matter, instead of remaining some idiot ritual.
And if there's anyone who would truly, honestly rather vote for McCain if their favored candidate loses, with support like that, who needs antagonism? If the Democrats end up needing the votes of such fair-weather members to win this year, it will be because they've done something horribly wrong.
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@amity
I generally agree with you. However, IMO i think the fear is that we, as the electorate, are splitting up. People are digging in their heels for their candidate more and more with each passing day and i think the fear is that psychologically people will be SO opposed to the 'other guy' by the time it gets to convention that we will be unable to unify. A cursory glance at this board where so-called reasonable people meet should be evidence enough of that.
Like it or lump it. Hillary OR Obama will have a tough race against McCain in the fall. Hillary because the Republicans simply hate her (you should see the glee they take when she stumbles - its astounding) and will mobilize their base like McCain has, so far, been unable to do, and Obama because of his MUCH lighter resume compared to McCain. Like it or lump it we will need the entire Democratic electorate to turn out in order to achieve victory in November. Right now we have literally a 50/50 split of the will of the democratic electorate. Winning in November will require us to be reasonable and vote for whomever the nominee is, even if its not 'our guy' because McCain is planning aggressive campaigns in 'our states' (he said so last night) where he may, depending on world conditions, be able to squeeze the moderate and independent vote from us. (He is really a moderate running as a republican. Now that he has the nomination, he'll veer slightly center).
We cannot take a chance on a McCain presidency.
Because of this, in recent days I have called for a combined Clinton-Obama ticket (nd BTW I am an Obama supporter).
Benefits (let's be honest for a moment):
-Solidifies and electrifies the party immediately
-Gets us geared up to beat McCain
-Hillary's shortcomings are Obama's strengths
-Obama's shortcomings are Hillary's strengths
-Their policies are 97% similar and 100% opposed to McCain's policies
-Virtually guarantees a win November AND 16 years 'rule'
- The republicans would panic wildly (trust me, I watch Fox news for perspective - right now, they salivate)
A protracted race IMO is not good for the party right now. But I'm not hopeful that this will happen because at this point I think ego in both camps and an unwillingness to examine things objectively for the good of the party is preventing it.
And we'll probably lose in November unless whomever the nominee is selects the OTHER as VP.