Letters to the Editor
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A moot point, in the end
Had Michigan and Florida worked hard and played by the (Democratic Party's) rules, it is likely that Hillary Clinton would be a lot closer to parity with Obama had these rogue states held valid primaries
In the end, it's all a moot point. IF those FLA and MI primary votes are not counted, the Dems lose in November - it's as simple as that. Those voters will simply not vote for a Demo and McCain will get by virtue of default taking the two states with a significant no. of electoral votes.
My brother who lives in FL (WPB) has told me the Zeitgeist there is one of fury and frustration and the D-voters see themselves as victims (because Repo Gov. Charlie Crist instituted the early primary with the state legislature - it wasn't the VOTERS!)
They are also adamant that:
i) there be NO "redo" (it was already done, and taking off work etc. again is too problematic)
ii) there be no halfsies-split of existing delegates. They want them apportioned according to the actual votes.
He insists if this isn't done FL and its 27 electoral votes will go in the Insane McCain column and I see no rational basis to doubt him. And the same will probably happen in Michigan.
In the end, if Dean and the DNC don't relent, it won't matter who the Ds nominate -both will lose in the November election.
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MadamFourntneroy
I've thought something similar. I don't think Hillary clinton would ever be McCain's running mate (Republicans wouldn't stand for that), but bet your bottom dollar that the Clintons will endorse McCain. It won't be a shared-stage, arms raise, "The next President of the United States" declaration type endorsement, but once Hillary Clinton exits the race they will go on a relentless media blitz and they will constantly tout McCain's experience, patriotism and readiness. If Hillary Clinton can't be President, Barack Obama can't be President. I think the Democratic Party is in for a nasty surprise.
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Count Michigan and Florida
Clinton has the stronger argument. She won Florida soundly after not campaigning there and she won Ohio -- both crucial key states in any general election.
Obama won small caucuses where 10,000 people showed because they could get away from work that day. He does not appeal to bluecollar workers or Florida voters who are needed in the GE.
This nominating process is hardly Democratic by any stretch of the imagination and don't think that Obama "stealing" the nomination will sit lightly with any of us who think he's a poor candidate but an easy tool for Pelosi.
Caucuses should be dispensed with and selective punishing as well. And maybe Howard Dean.
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Attn: Roberta H
You said,
"And there is no way he (Obama) can change the public's perception of him."
I disagree. The way you do it is 'one person at a time'.
So Roberta, go watch Rev. Wright's comments that lead up to the FOX clip. See
www.youtube.com/trinitychgo
then let us hear back from you.
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Disenchantment with candidates or loyalty ratings?
What is likely to be the underlying cause of the general election unfavorability rating with an Obama-McCain election is that Democratics, or independents perceive the Obama-Hillary campaign as an exhibition of loyalties within the Democratic Party and how much they count.
One presumes that FDR did not get a 3rd or 4th term because he was that good in his first two terms, but because party loyalty was high enough to elect him - that recognized his value to the Democratic Party - which was unprecedented in American history.
In bringing the Democratic Party back from the dumps after 16 years of being disheveled after the confusion of JFK's murder, the lack of loyalty of the organization is at least as important as the popularity and charisma of a newbie to politics and the party. It may even be one of the reasons the election is so bizarre to date that is likey not lost on the general public - that has little to do with race or gender.
Ignoring the existence of the importance of the organization to a general election is bizarre enough, without adding the loyalty of persons within the organization to any particular candidate.
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Obama back on top
The Polls once again show Sen. Obama's a winner. As much bad press as Obama has recieved by Salon and the "liberal media" he still keeps winning. The crowds keep getting bigger he still keeps raising money.
Hillary and her camp say they have more experience,have solutions over speeches and are ready for the first day but they can't beat a Jr. Senator,empty suit,plagerist,who is nothing but a racist. LoL!
I think most people are seeing through the haters and in the general election McCain will be taken apart. 4000 dead and economy going south,Osama still not caught,forclosers,rising health care and education cost,McCain linking himself to Bush, and changing his stance on immigration when faced with defections from the right is a record he cannot run from and a debate he cannot win.
You see Obama does not have to throw the kitchen sink to win he will just expose his record. Obama is appealing to the best in Americans. As for Shawn and others that keep trying to make a moral equivalence with Trinty and the KKK that is just stupid. Trinty members nor their pastor ever bombed churches and killed children, they never lynched whites, they never blocked accesss to schools or hospitals,they never dragged people to death and they never advocated voting against a person because they were white. In fact when Bill Clinton needed support during his worst time in office he sought out the very people he tried to throw under the bus Jessie Jackson and Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
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Immediate Gratification Syndrome
What is wrong with you people. The primary process is still in play. States still have primaries. The Michigan and Florida, Dean and Brazille debacle is not played out. The SDs are still not done.
Dean, Brazille and the DNC should be skewered for not planning for the worst case scenario. On this one I give to Hillary cause strategically she planned for the worst, kept her name on the ballot--that is being strategic. Stop it with the Rules are Rules idiocy. The DNC is playing games and is showing to be just as inept as the Republicans running FEMA, no planning. Oh, and the Obama did not campaign in Florida bit, the day before the Florida election he had the Teddy extravaganza with coverage all over the TV, newspapers etc. If that was not campaigning, not to mention the tv ads he ran, I don't know what is.
What, like the Republicans are not gonna figure out any of the attacks against Obama or Hillary? They are waiting for us to give them the play book? Get real.
Let the attacks be played out now. At this point, look at the polls, look at the results, there is no break out leader. The voters are split. Obama has not closed the deal. Why the coronation? Leave McCain on the sideline shadow boxing. Only thing I wish that the time was used to push the Dem agenda rather than the stupid idiotic non issues.
Welcome to politics. It's not pretty. It's not easy. It's not predictable.
Stop with the hurry up syndrome. This is not a DVR that you can press a button through the ugly bits. Sit down and watch politics at work.
It feels like a family on a long car trip with the kids in the back squealing: "Are we there yet, are there yet".
There is no clear winner. We cannot take a risk right now on Obama. We need a political solution.