Dems Fret Over Prolonged Bitter Fight

The Associated Press has noticed concern among Democratic party loyalists over a long, possibly hostile, nomination process:

"Despite Obama's impressive victories in February, Clinton's comeback is based on sowing political seeds of doubt," said Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist and one of nearly 800 party leaders known as superdelegates for their ability to determine the nomination. "In order to clinch the nomination, he must anticipate the worst attacks ever."

Consider that a shot across the bow to the Clinton campaign because Brazile -- like many other superdelegates -- worries that Clinton's only hope for victory is tearing down Obama and dividing the party. Party chairman Howard Dean recently told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that he was concerned about the possible impact of a nominating campaign that stretched through the end of the primaries in early June.

Some superdelegates are bracing themselves to intervene on Obama's behalf if necessary.

"If these attacks are contrasts based on policy differences, there is no need to stop the race or halt the debate," Brazile said. "But, if this is more division, more diversion from the issues and more of the same politics of personal destruction, chairman Dean and other should be on standby."

Comments

[Tsunami]

Those of us who voted in Michigan KNEW that a vote for Hillary Clinton was a vote for Hillary Clinton and a vote for UNCOMMITTED was a vote for anyone else. Hillary did NOT campaign, but there were ads urging us to vote UNCOMMITTED. Are you saying that Obama supporters are so dumb that they did not know that if they didn’t want Hillary they should NOT vote for her. HIllary got more votes in Michigan than Uncommitted and Dennis K and others who were on the ballot. There is no reason to waste money reholding elections. That is OUR time and MONEY–GAS and time off work!!! Let Hillary have the votes she EARNED in Michigan. GIVE Obama all the other votes if his supporters are going to whine. GIVE the money saved to the poor people who are on the verge of losing their homes.

[SensibleAmerican]

Oh the politics of Hope and Change!!! The lahdeedah, the media hype, the comparisons to MLK, RFK, JFK, BS-K!!! The second coming of Christ! "Oh Barack you made me cry", wrote one in Hussein's campaign shill: "off-the-bus"! Another had a Meg Ryan moment from Harry met Sally! Woohoo tub-of-lard Oprah, Skeletor Shriver, Wussy Kerry, the shriveled party drunk Kennedy and the mucus on MSNBC, all carrying around Fluffy in their laps, suckling him ... nursing him ...

And then!?! Hillary wipes the floor with him in OH and TX and all the rest of the big States!!! LOL C YA, hope, what Change?! "I have a dream" is now a Nightmare!!!

It's 3:00 A.M., and Americans are waking up to a farce called Barack Hussein Obama ...

[Plank]

Have you even read the article? If you think Hillary wiped the floor with Obama in winning 3 states, what would call loosing 12 in a row?

[anthonylee]

Hillary wipes the floor with him in OH and TX?!? 10 & 3 percentage points respectively constitutes a "wiping of the floor"?

If you believe that, then you're an idiot; which validates your support of Billary, or more accurately a Republican troll.

[SickOfSpin]

Give it a break Tsunami...Because Hills was the only party in town in our Kangaroo Court in Michigan, many voters never even went to the polls. Our delegates were not going to be seated and WORSE YET, there was ONE name on the ballot. We couldn't write in our own candidates because they would be disallowed so our only option? Uncommitted...It stunk to high heaven of collusion...And surprise surprise, our governor, Jennifer Granholm (a Clinton supporter) is now pressing for Michigan's delegates to be seated. It is absolutely reprehensible and insultingly disingenuous. To make matters worse, those of you who seem to feel that you are in the know, are obtuse and less objectively analytical than my second grade granddaughter, who BTW, can describe chapter and verse what took place in Michigan....It's not YOUR money, nor is it YOUR gas...it's our money and our gas...and, OUR votes that got stolen, or at the very least subverted and/or suppressed. Give it up...it isn't about whining. It is the potential for a failed democracy as Hillary and her minions press on to seat delegates out of Michigan's Kangaroo Court primary.

[mamamay]

I think Mi should be seated but the votes must be divided equally between Edwards, Obama, and hillary. any overage to Kucinich. Fla should be seated but the votes should be equally divided between Obama, Edwards and Hillary. Tally these. If Obama has the majority still. Hill should not be on any more tickets in the upcoming states. Name the nominee. Stop the drama. There is no need to have any special elections. If there is only Obama left. tally up remaining states delegates Go to Denver and have a prosperous convention

[phoenix1964]

No you idiot, Obama supportors stayed home out of the blizzard.

[ChezMJ]

So what you're saying is Obama voters are too lazy to get out if it's cold...

[richdoll]

I respect Donna Brazille 's opinion she's right on about the situation. Howard Dean need to step up to the plate and stick to the rules. not bend to Hillary commands voted for obama due to i want change for this country we have enough wounds it healing time. I'm ashamed of the the ugliness of the turn of events this election has turned . Obama has brought the youth of our nation 1st time voters into democratic party now she wants to tear it apart .. it destructive.. the republicans love it because we are not unified and not dignified .. they want Hillary because they know they can beat her and those that voted for Obama will not vote for her if she steals it from him. I would love to see a woman for president even though a lot people won't say it" i WILL NOT HER SHE IS NOT WHAT I WANT FOR MY DAUGHTER AND SHE DOES NOT REMIND ME OF MARGARET THATHER - THAT'S A LADY " Enough of the dirty tricks and smear tatics because she she lives in a glass house that ready to shatter any day .. run a clean campain enough already .

[snowcat]

from Daily Kos

Have any of her Democratic opponents, including Obama, sought more detailed answers from her about stories such as:

* Norman Hsu and his bundling of money for her campaign?

* How "dishwashers, waiters and others" poured "$1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign treasury?"

* Bill's trip to Kazakhstan with Canadian magnate, Frank Giustra, that netted Giustra $3 billion and Bill's foundation a $131 million contribution from Giustra?

* How powerful foreign donors to Bill's presidential library, such as the Saudis, may pose a serious conflict of interest to Hillary's foreign policy actions as president?

* How Bill's tangled ties to an investment concern of Clinton friend, Ron Burkle, and it's dealings with Dubai may yet, again, threaten to compromise Hillary Clinton's execution of foreign policy as president?

* The fact that the with all of these questionable financial dealings, the Clintons have been unwilling to release their tax returns, especially in light of Hillary Clinton claiming that the $5 million she lent the campaign was "her own money?"

* And, finally, though we, as Democrats, don't care who Bill schtupps (and, no, none of us believe he has kept his fly zipped the last seven years), you can be damn sure the Republicans will be digging hard (no pun intended) to see just what Bill has been up to since leaving offic

[richdoll]

it going to come out she thinks she's sitting pretty now just wait the stuff will hit the fan
all ove th net people are aaking for those tax return.. she turned on obama so she did not have to produce them

[OldBlueDog]

Old news....blah blah blah!

[anythinggoes]

I PREFER VOTE CHARLES MANSON THAN VOTE wife of MONICA EX BOY FRIEND

[KiwisCanFly]

snowcat
U neglected to add the Clinton fraud case in Oct 08, LA.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=56868

[snowcat]

from Daily Kos

[genia]

Bill Clinton was interviewed on the Rush Limbaugh show yesterday.
Let's think about this for a moment.
Bill Clinton, a democrat, who many consider the leader of the party....Bill Clinton, democratic president of USA for 8 years went on and gave an interview on Rush's show, to an audience of millions of right wingers.... went on the show with the sole purpose of trashing Barack Obama.
Let's think about this, really think about this.
Yes, it's obvious he was reaching out to the dittoheads to cross over and vote for Hillary but.....I don't know, Is it just me? Am I the only one who is outraged by this ?
All these years I had the utmost respect for Bill. For this man...this man.....to take our parties issues and conflicts over to the lunatic fringe of the republican party ....????

[SensibleAmerican]

Donna Brazile is yet another hypocritical racist Afro-American! How this community conveniently forgot why Bill Clinton was so popular amongst them? Why he was the "First Black President"? What has Barack Hussein done for the Blacks apart from being half-black!?! To rally behind a political figure strictly based on his/her race IS RACISM!!! And Racism is alive and well in the hypocritical black community ...

Pathetic ...

[anthonylee]

You're a pathetic "racist" Republican Troll . . . . .

You're the same hypocrite that believes Bush's Iraq War is necessary for our security, but wouldn't dare enlist to serve your nation; you're the same hypocrite that attempts to subtly spew your lame racist vocabulary "Afro", "half-black" "hypocritical black community. . ."

Get a life, crawl back in your trailer, have your sister-wife microwave you some grub and do us all a favor don't pro-create!

[SickOfSpin]

SensibleAmerican...Your comment is transparently thin...you clearly have no idea what Barack Obama's resume' includes...What is it that you think he might have been doing as a Community Organizer in Chicago, after he had served as the Harvard Law Review's President? While he could have have commanded a handsome salary in any law office in the country, he chose to go to the south side of Chicago to represent and advocate for African Americans as a Community Organizer. That doesn't address the children's insurance program that was implemented in Illinois with his leadership. Check it out--it really would be much more powerful if you clearly had done your homework before you commented.

[Kim445588]

No matter how many times you post this crap it still sounds idiotic. I suspect that it is you that has racist issues as you seem to be consumed with posting about it.

Kim "Hussein"

[anythinggoes]

WE DONT NEED DINASTIES NONSENSE LIKE SLICK BILL WILLIE

[AceInTheHole]

Please explain or at least make a rational argument as to why Donna Brazile who has been a loyal Hillary supporter, is now all of a sudden, dipicted by other Hillary supporters, to be a hypocrite, simply because she is speaking out for fairness? Evidently, one can not be fair and a be a Hillary supporter as well? Tell me, is being fair and being a Hillary supporter, compatible or not?

[politicsnut]

Donna Brazille is right on! I wish other senior party leaders would speak up until it's too late and the damage is done. Of course the Clinton tactics won't get her the nomination, she will destroy the hopes of all democrats and handle the presidency to McCain in a silver platter!
GET OUT HILLARY!

[michelvaillant]

No matter who wins and how, this primary will be viewed by some as tainted. By punishing Michigan and Florida, the DNC trapped itself into a corner. As things stand now, the voice of Michigan and Florida voters has been disregarded, imparting a very undemocratic aura to the primary. If for whatever reason the DNC reverses its decision, it will no doubt be perceived as dirty politics. So no matter what, this primary is seriously tainted.

[whitegoldwielder]

If the democrats use superdelegates to pick the nominee and disenfranchize the voters in two important states they will lose in November.

[glorija]

I completely agree with D. Brazile: the Democratic Party leadership should step in to prevent more bloodshed. But they should also be very aware of who started it and how we came to this point where there is no certain Democratic nominee--Senator Clinton and her campaign do not shy away from ANYTHING to get her win. In sports, the game she has been playing would be embarrassing for her own fans. Obviously and unfortunately, that's not the case in politics.

[Didi47]

What bloodshed glorija? What bloodshed? And what game? The only time I hear those words are when they're coming from the Obama camp... or from the fawning - so called jokes of journalists - or bigoted delagates. Yes I say bigoted, because I'm getting sick and tired of the race card being played on the Obama side as perfectly normal and okay. And if anyone dares to question this guy, they're accused of all kinds of stupidity; that no one dares comment on - for fear of being labeled a racist or whatever other nonsense label the pro Obama and idiotic media pundits - come up with.

It's like all reason has completely evaporated in this election. What is good for the goose is good for the gander and it's high time the election for a democratic nominee became that. An election where BOTH candidates are SCRUTINIZED. And if that isn't going to be the case then this is obviously a pre made deal and a total public SCAM.

[MRb1000]

She is right. Hillary is turning this thing into a racial issue. Hillary is a Liberal Bigot.

[Didi47]

MRb1000:

The racial issue I question is how come no one is commenting on the 90% black vote Obama is getting? If that's not racial bias then I don't know what is! Let's call it as it is - and get on with holding Obama up to the same SCRUTINY Hillary has been subjected to - in this international laughing stock of an election. It's so blatantly biased toward Obama - it's gotten past the point of ridiculous. Just listen to yourself ... instead of congratulating Hillary on a hell of a win - overcoming almost insurmountable odds... you continue to yelp the same... "not fair" ... abusive name calling crap.. at the same sickening pace and still not addressing ANY questions asked about him. And you accuse Hillary of not having class! I'm still looking for one reasonable - issue driven conversation from the Obama camp on these pages. Looks like that will never happen.

[SickOfSpin]

"How Clinton Won Texas and Ohio" is really quite simple...she began a campaign of distortion, deception and manipulation of voter fear. You neglect to reference Hillary Clinton's own blatant shift, with all of its transparency, to "kitchen sink" tactics. Bill Clinton himself said, in 2004 I believe, that the candidate who encourages you to think and encourages you to hope is the candidate you should support. Fine words coming the spouse of the woman with the red phone ringing at 3:00 a.m. in the White House, don't you think? Clinton communicated to pro-choice voters, people who consider that reproductive rights be protected at all cost, that Obama is 'soft' on choice. In New Hampshire, she sent a leaflet to voters stating the same deception--hmmm, "what the heck happened in New Hampshire?" Lorna Brett Howard, former president of Chicago NOW has made a statement via a video clip to be sent on the internet, to whomever would listen, that she formerly supported Clinton. But when Clinton began blatantly distorting Obama's record, one which demonstrated a 100% voting record with NARAL and NOW, Ms. Howard rejected Clinton as a candidate and shifted her support to Obama. Ms. Howard has been very clear in denouncing Clinton and informing voters that Clinton has been touting patently false information as fact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVuMYKs8iJs

It is the tip of the iceberg in Clinton's "kitchen sink" campaign--and it is loathsome in it's manipulation of innate anxiety following 9/11. Clinton cried foul when Bush tapped into people's fears in order to scare up votes and she now has taken the play and made it uniquely her own.

It is true Clinton "won" Texas and Ohio--FIRE WALL they weren't...but in the process she has profoundly fractured the party and compromised our ability to regain the White House in, what should be, a year of a Democratic Grand Slam. I absolutely will never vote for a presidential candidate whom I know to be deceptive and malicious. Before the "kitchen sink" tactics, I was singing a VERY different song. In view of the fact that I was formerly an ardent Clinton supporter (Bill that is) and an ambivalent Hillary supporter before this presidential campaign began, to experience the intense anger and disgust that I feel now for Hillary, I can only begin to imagine how Republicans have felt about her, and continue to feel about her...It is a raw emotion that will, without question, galvanize the Republican base and send them to their precincts in droves come November.

[passthesewords]

Didi47

The racial issue is as follows:

Rudy - received 90% of the Italian vote.
JFK - received 90% of the Irish vote
JFK - received 90% of the catholic vote
Romney - received 90% of the Mormon vote
Libberman - received 90% of the Jewish vote
Richardson - received 90% of the Hispanic vote
Repubicans - received 90% of the white vote
Kerry - received 90% of the black vote
Bill Clinton - received 90% of the black vote
Hillary would have received 90% of the black vote
Obama - receives 90% of the black vote and it's racial?

Scrunity?? - If you were Hillary and your highly paid team could not find something on Obama, then there is no there, there. Unless you are saying McCain and the republicans are smarter and better finding a there, there. I think you need a stronger argument than that on scrunity.

Hell of a Win - Losing a 20 point lead in Ohio and Texas, I would call it holding on for dear life. (Spin)

If you are looking for issues to support Obama and have not found just one issue on these pages, then there is nothing anyone can say too you on issues. Which is okay, because we all get ONE VOTE.

[Bobleblah1]

To the guy who wrote this article

Your a fucking idiot

[Seattlelite]

As this has been all fun and games -- but at what point do people decide it's not fun anymore and the games are to dangerous to be played? If this continues McCain and the republicans will come out the winners believe me. Hillary can't win this and she is only making it harder for Obama to win against McCain.

[darlamc]

The Audacity Of Hypocrisy. http://politicalamnesia.blogspot.com/2008/03/audacity-of-hypocrisy.html

[Seattlelite]

PS Donna, if this continues and all hell breaks out -- I think the DNC will find allot of people staying home come November and I'll certainly be one of those people.

[Didi47]

Seattlelite:

Well it's obvious you've been programmed very well by the media. And threats to stay home are
exactly that. If you don't think Obama should be held to the same standards Hillary has been, then you should stay home.

[Seattlelite]

What I think is Hillary has exposed herself for what she really is as has her husband. Two people with no an ounce of integrity between them. They'll do and say anything. A vote for HIllary is a vote in support of nasty at all cost win politics. Not going to do it! But I could change my mind, if she releases her tax and white house records and stops slinging trash from this point maybe I'll reconsider -- but I'm just one vote, no big deal. Many other people I'm sure are willing to ignore her and Bill's behavior.

[Seattlelite]

Thank you Donna!! I'm relieved to see someone is pointing this out. If this contest is allowed to continue it only has one direction in which to go which is down hill. What started as excitement has turned into a bad case of heartburn....at least for me. I think both candidates are going to begin to see a drop in their ability to raise money. I made my last and final donation until this is resolved. It's time the DNC stepped in while this party still have something to be excited about. Because I know for me I'm beginning to tune out and be turned off. Wake me up in November.

[Didi47]

Seattlelite:

Maybe your case of 'heartburn' is a result of finding out Obama isn't what the media hype has made him out to be?

[Seattlelite]

No don't think so -- I donated another $250 to his campaign this morning. I think whats giving me heartburn is the Hillary supporters who refuse to see Hillary and Bill for who they are, self serving, power hunger carpet baggers who are willing to take down this party just so they can move back into the white house. And I add -- why would anyone think that two families running this country is going to change a dam thing in Washington?? But thanks for your concern, the heartburn is gone -- that donation this morning worked a charm.

[Lisette]

The Democratic Party
Should tell Hillary to get out!
She is still way behind Obama
And can't beat him!
He already is the winner!
So what is she crowing about today.
And what by the way are HER credentials to answer that phone.
Hillary has supported most of Bushes ideas, and the war.

[thankulord13]

Lisette,

Shut the hell up! This is a democracy and she has every right to stay in this race... the voters of Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island have spoken so respect their votes... Back in 2001, 2002, 2003 and possibly 2004 Bush had approval ratings up in the 80 percentile so that leads me to believe that a lot of you nemrods on this site where supporting him and his case for armagedden.... Now that you see that it was all fabricated you want to change course now... so before you go and make judgments on what she supported first look at what you where supporting...

[glorija]

She has a right to stay in the race, thankulord13, but she does not have a right to destroy the Democratic Party because all she cares about is her own power. That's how she won Texas popular vote, not because she is somehow better. She appeals to the worst in all of us--prejudice, identity politics, fear, division...

It's democracy but the Democratic Party should know where Hillary Clinton is taking them with this approach.

[Didi47]

Lisette;

Since Obama's been in the Senate he's supported ALL of Bush's ideas about the war. So what are you talking about?

[mix2007]

She has every right to stay in the race. She can do it. But should she?

She can't win by votes. There's not enough states left that are her demographic. She can't catch up.

If she is seen as "stealing" the nomination by backroom deals, it will be a deathblow to the party, and they will lose all the new voters as well as African Americans for decades possibly. Superdelegates know this, so they won't do that either.

Since she can't catch up, and can't swindle her path to victory, it is probably a fruitless exercise. She will spend her supporters and donor's money. She will fling a lot of mud, and have some flung back at her. And for what?

If she cared about the party's chances in November she'd

1) leave sooner rather than later

2) fight a competitive race but not do anything that would harm the eventual nominee for the G.E.

This week she will be celebrating the end of her electoral drought. But after, does she have the character to gracefully concede after looking at the hard, cold numbers?

Of course, cynics would say Hillary is not honorable and doesn't care about the party, and only herself. That she would put her own ego above all else, that hers is a scorched earth campaign, and that if she can't have the nomination, she'd rather the DNC loses.

We'll see if the cynics are correct.

[Housewife]

I don't see Hill and Bill backing off without some major arm twisting. I agree that she should be able to stay in the race as long as she can conduct a civil campaign, but to compare Obama to Rove and Bush and to say that she and John McCain are the ones with experience and that all he has ever done is to give a speech is really over the top. I believe she will do whatever it takes, the party be damned. Her sense of entitlement to the office is unbelievable.

If she continues this way, I really can't imagine voting for her if she wins the nomination. I'm a pretty reasonable person. If I feel this way, I am sure many more do as well.

[whitegoldwielder]

All she has to do is make it to the convention. Don't you think Bill and Hill are calling in some markers right now with the superdelegates? The fix is in.

[Didi47]

mix2007:

Well it looks like it's obvious the game the media, pundits and Obama are planning on playing next. Keep on ganging up on Hillary -- and AVOID Scrutinizing Obama at ALL COSTS. You must think the American public is super stupid!

What is it with this bullcrap about harming the eventual nominee.... you mean harming Obama? What's to harm? Hearing the truth and facts about him are going to harm the party? Are you nuts or what?