Democratic Leaders Pushing Superdelegates To Commit

WASHINGTON — Top Democratic leaders intend to push for a quick end to the battle for the presidential nomination when primaries are over next week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday, adding that he, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and party chairman Howard Dean will urge uncommitted delegates to choose sides.

"By this time next week, it will all be over give or take a day," Reid said of the marathon race between the front-running Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama is within 44 delegates of clinching the nomination, according to The Associated Press tally, and leads Clinton by roughly 200 delegates.

Democratic officials said Pelosi already has begun contacting uncommitted House members urging them to weigh in soon after the primary season ends. Numerous Democrats have expressed concern that a protracted nominating campaign could harm the party's chances of winning the White House in the fall. John McCain effectively wrapped up the Republican nomination in March.

Tantalizingly close to the nomination, Obama stands to gain a minimum of roughly 20 delegates in remaining primaries in Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota under party rules that distribute them proportional to the popular vote _ even if he loses all three. He would need to enlist the support of uncommitted superdelegates to amass the rest.

Slightly fewer than 200 superdelegates remain uncommitted, including 64 members of Congress.

One, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, the Democratic whip in the House, was quoted in a report published Thursday as saying he intended to disclose his preference as the final primaries are held on Tuesday.

Clyburn, who is black and whose district and state voted overwhelmingly for Obama, is widely expected to support the Illinois senator.

Asked about the story in the Stamford Advocate, Kristie Greco, a spokeswoman for Clyburn, noted that he repeatedly has said he will not endorse before June 3.

Although Obama holds a commanding lead in delegates, Clinton has threatened to campaign into the August convention if she is not satisfied with the results of a party committee meeting this weekend. A Democratic National Committee panel is scheduled to discuss the fate of disputed delegations from Michigan and Florida, two states that held primaries last winter in defiance of party rules.

Reid, in an interview on radio station KGO in San Francisco, said he had talked since Wednesday with both Pelosi and Dean. "We agree there won't be a fight at the convention. ... We're going to urge folks to make a decision quickly _ next week."

Reid said the results of the disputed primaries in Florida and Michigan "should be counted as well," but he did not propose a compromise to resolve the controversy.

He made his prediction that the nominating fight would be settled by the end of next week in a speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco.

Karen Finney, a spokeswoman for Dean, said that in his conversation with Reid, the chairman said he wants the nominating campaign settled in June.

Pelosi has also said she hopes the nominating contest is wrapped up quickly.

Comments

[thizzkid]

Hillary will never give in unless the docs in the white coats come drag her away.

[whizkid]

I had long lost respect for Reid and Pelosi.
Now its magnified.
These habitual losers have squandered our 2006 victory.

[Raymondf]

I know Mr. Reid has had a rough life with two alcholic parents, and a father that beat him all the time, and for that I feel sorry for him, If I had known of him back then I would have prayed for him. He has one of the most powerful jobs in the Senate, and I prase him for what he has Acomplished. As the leading dem. in the Senate he has done nothing, how does he think he can get the super dels. to vote. They will vote When their ready and not before.

[hopeforchange]

Well with Ried and Pelosi backing the idea of the delegates coming to a conclusion they may never decide. Those two couldn't force a fish to swim or a bird to fly.

[nectanebus]

Accurate point. The Billarys are in total control of the party, thats why everyone is helpless to stop her. If Obama wins by every conceivable measure, the party will still have to ROB OBAMA at the order of the Billarys. Its all about the money the Billarys are able to raise with a snap of their fingers from special interests, foreign governments and global criminals. Its going to be the darkest day in American race relations since the formation of the country. Race relations may never ever recover after the stunningly blatant theft of an honestly won nomination that is about to come. Watch and be afraid. Be very afraid.....it will be impossible to EVER get the Billarys out of the white house if they should get back in. Remember, NO RULES OR LAWS APPLY TO THEM!

[lldorward]

What is energizing the conflict is the mistaken belief that Hillary would be "ahead in the popular vote" if Michigan and Florida were counted. This bases a legitimate democratic principled argument on an illegitimate premise. When all the news shows report the "popular vote" figures, they never mention that their tallies do NOT include the indivual supporters of the candidates in all the caucus states -- and there are many. This should be made clear EVERY TIME the "popular vote" argument is made. Yet dishonest representation continues to be parroted over and over on the news/political shows. Clinton and her supporters are passionate about "counting every vote," -- but they should recognize that the overall popular vote totals as reported in this democratic primary is NOT an accurate representation of "the will of the people." The perception that the popular vote argument has merit is based upon the assumption that "popular vote" is synonomous with "the will of the people." Our system is complicated and confusing and is grossly misunderstood by the voters, a situation excerbated by the media who is not responsibly disclosing what their numbers represent. This misconception enflames and divides the party by falsly drawing comparisons to the 2000 general election. Fair minded democrats will recognize that the will of the people is the goal of our democratic process, not winning at the cost of truth and fairness by deception and misrepresentation.

[kj11]

I agree --- the so called "journalists" are not responsibly handling the discussion of these matters and it is to the detriment of enlightened democratic participation.

[Gericault]

Harry Ried can't push a healthy morning B.M.

We dems are constipated.

Obama! vs. 18% approval rating

[Gericault]

They don't want change either.

[DonDavis]

Hillary"s DNC Protestors Should Borrow a Song From 1968
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1875

[Janel]

Will this NEVER end? I am confident all the political pundits want it to go on and on. Otherwise, people will go back to entertainment shows and tune the pundits off. I'm looking forward to this.

[venicesurfer]

i dont want it to end. i enjoy seeing obama and clinton bash eachother and shoot themselves in the foot. its a great sport.

[KarateKid]

It helps to keep your mind off of your severe case of E.D., doesn't it?

[Chandidevi]

A question: Isn't Hillary Clinton accountable to the Democratic Party, of which she is supposedly a member? Or does she just get to call the shots as she sees fit?

[dhinds]

She can do as she sees fit - but not avoid the repercussions.

[jrterrier]

she is accountable to the voters, who continue to vote for her. she's won 8 of the last 10, all by landslides with Indiana, the 'tie-breaker' in Obama's backyard going to her by a slight margin.

[Wanjiru]

...we've reached a point where HRC supporters are yelling...they have NO IDEA about what...but they're yelling all the same...

...LMAO...

...there is NO POSSIBLE RATIONALE WHATSOEVER for ANYONE to still be supporting HRC at this point in time, unless, as described above, for the sake of making loud, pointless noises...

...yell on losers, and once you're all done, sit and hold your collective breath (s) as Sen. Obama gets inaugurated to POTUS!...


Obama 2008!

.

[Amminadab]

How can Obama possibly win in November if his supporters continue to insult and push Hillary supporters away?

Do you not believe in Obama's message of civility?

Do you not believe in Obama's message of unity?

[dhinds]

You are right. Anything that increases the polarity and animosity is unwise.

[dhinds]

Amminadab wrote:

> How can Obama possibly win in November if his supporters continue to insult and push Hillary supporters away?

> Do you not believe in Obama's message of civility?

> Do you not believe in Obama's message of unity?

Your points are valid and Hillary can run for as long as she sees fit.

The question is, which candidate will represent the DP? And the answer is: The DP itself will decide, based on it's own Party Rules!

The losing candidate can still run as an independent (as Lieberman did - or as the candidate of a third party), but not as Democrat.

Lastly: Are you sure that you want to base your decision on the posts you read here?

[Beachchick]

I think everyone is emotionally charged because of this brutal primary that has lasted too long and a mass media frenzy that stokes the fires. I am guilty of reactionary rhetoric - even towards members of my own family. This has become personal, and it should not be personal.
I hope this primary is resolved soon for the sake of the Party. This is nuts.

[acemave]

Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro are disgraces to the democratic party, to our country and most of all to women.
Now we know that women can be just as stupid and gross as men. Thanks!

[Amminadab]

In what way is Hillary Clinton a disgrace to the Democratic party?

Do you really want to excommunicate her 17 million supporters?

[Waltb31]

1/4 are Rush Limbaugh operation chaos supporters, and 1/8 are histrionic Hillary zealots who vote gender or race instead of policy.
The rest are mature individuals who realize in the final analysis that this is about policy, not about personalities. They will vote for Obama.
The Histrionic taylormarsh supporters/ Hillary zealots are irrelevant and won't be missed.
You don't speak for 17 million, that is another BS fallacy on your part.

[Waltb31]

Are you mature or Histrionic, Amminadab? Do you believe in coalescing around the nominee based on the results of the primary process, (delegates) or do you continue to advance the bogus arguments of counting votes in Michigan, Florida, to somehow argue your weak case?
Look, Hillary fought a hard campaign, but it is no longer about her.By every parameter, she has lost. If the goal is winning the White House, the primary voters have spoken. Even if Hillary sat the Florida and Michigan delegates precisely like she wants to, she still loses. The threats to cause more acrimonious reactions at the convention is counterproductive politically and from a fundraising prospective.
The vast majority of Hillary's current supporters realize that, and will vote for Obama. Hillary is playing to the emotions of her very vocal histrionic zealot segment. Not because she actually cares about them; but so she can advance her own narcissistic campaign.

[Java2]

Ain't it the truth..Hillary and Geri aren't what I would call WOMEN..They do not represent me. Just because Hillary decided she wanted to be President, that will make Women Stronger??
I don't think so.. Womens Lib should not equate Ignorance.
Hillary, I have a great cookie recipe you could learn to bake for your Grandchildren.

[mediaspy]

Clinton's supporter are writing to the speaker of the house and Senator Reid telling them to stop hijacking the election.
I think we need to write an tell them to make sure this does not go over into the convention.


http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

[timepassages]

go ahead! end it, then I can send my donation to McCain intead of Hillary!

[JackND]

you can do that now.

[Ndw]

So you'd agree that Hillary is closer to McCain than she is to Obama?

Thanks for clarifying that. I mean, I kinda knew it anyway, but it's interesting to hear someone who supports her come right out & say it directly.

[Waltb31]

Go ahead, vote for McSame now.

[thinbluetorpedo]

McBush awaits every bit of support he can get. He will need it against Obama.

[cnobody]

by next tuesday, all votes will have been counted. what are you hoping to happen that will extend the race past next tuesday?
also, which which planks of mccain's platform do you agree with?

[McPander]

Don't worry....they have already ended it...they just haven't told Hillary yet

[AgathaX]

Who exactly needs to be pushed? Anyone who either is pro-Obama, or is neutral and wants the thing to be over is going to come out for Obama after the final primary. The only people who are pro-Hillary have either already come out or are being announced as she chooses.

The only people who would not come out after the final primary are people who are neutral AND do not want this mess to end. How many of such people could there possibly be? I suppose we'll see soon, but I have doubts that many need a push.

[patch61]

Obama used the Democrats' system of awarding delegates to limit his losses in states won by Clinton while maximizing gains in states he carried. Clinton, meanwhile, conserved her resources by essentially conceding states that favored Obama, including many states that held caucuses instead of primaries.

he thinks he is winning but wait till nov you think you will win i think not because you obama just gave it to mccain remember 2.5 million people will just not vote or will vote for republician........

[McPander]

Trust me....we will just blame her......she should have thrown in the towel after Indiana

[Amminadab]

Of course you will blame her. Obama is not responsible for anything. Everything that happens is Hillary's fault.

That will make a heck of a campaign slogan.

[Ndw]

Please, consider using punctuation...

[Wingit]

The 2.5 million people you think will be lost will be more than offset by independent voters that HRC could never in a 100 years convince to vote for her.

[dhinds]

At present, the issue isn't who can win in November or what drove Candidate X or Candidate Y to interpret a given event as he or she does (a conjectural exercise at best); the issue at present is who won the National Presidential Primary - for better or worse!

Three contests remain to be held and they will soon be over. Few delegates are involved, certainly not enough to change the results to date.

If the Primaries don't determine who is the candidate, why have Primaries (which after all, ARE the Party's own Primaries)?

Doesn't that mean that the DP has the power to set limits regarding the date of a given Primary in order for that Primary to be considered a sanctioned Party Primary?

If so, MUST the Party relinquish it's power to set limits on Primary dates, VOID the decision made (and the precedent set) and thereby, lose control over it's own Primary System and ability to govern the Party itself; simply because one of the candidates wanted the votes cast in an unsanctioned contest (that is, a Primary that was in fact NO contest)?

If so, will that create a free-for-all among all 50 states (plus the territories) not time around?

Is there any other plausible way to understand this dilemma?

[Amminadab]

There is a solid argument that the National Party does NOT have such a power.

They assign each state party the number of delegates, yet each state party gets to determine how those delegates are selected.

Setting limits as to when a state may hold a primary MAY be over-reaching on the part of the National Party..... as it infringes upon the rights of the state party.

Fortunately, there is a dispute resolution process..... which shall clearly look closely upon this question.

[Beachchick]

Do you realize how silly this sounds. Of course he used the Democratic process to harvest delegates. It is how you win. To somehow cast his win as a negative because his team knew how to collect delegates is ridiculous. Don't you want a president who is smart enough to win?

[mellene]

I'm not so sure that Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid have any kind of clout over the Clintons. I think they will steamroller ahead to obliterate Obama's candidacy. Anyone who thinks they'll go quietly into the night has another think coming. I think both of their egos (Clintons) are so inflated that they really think the only one who deserves the nomination is Hillary--period, end of story. It makes me wonder what huge corporate interests lie behind the compulsion to win at all costs? They are closer to being republicans than any other democrats to take the White House in the last 50 years. We all saw how close Clinton is to Bush, Sr. which makes me question just where their loyalties will be going forward. Even if the Clintons can't pull off her nomination in Denver, they'll make certain that Obama loses to McCain so she can run in 2012.

[McPander]

Yes ....The DixieCrat party is looking to run someone for president in 2012, it is her base, ya know "Hard Working AMericans, White AMericans"

[Wingit]

Do not dismiss the power of Speaker of the House and Chairperson of the Democratic convention. She said, twice so far, that the entire nomination process will be over by mid June. If the HRC campaign doe not take the "advice", the third "request" will include a powerful punch that could bring HRC's political career to an end. I know Harry Reed is the boss of the Senate, but Pelosi will be the enforcer.

[Amminadab]

Neither Pelosi, nor Reid have the power to bring Clinton's political career to an end. What a foolish thing to say.

[athenasword]

The way the DNC and the senior leaders of this party decide this race will say so much about the party - either they will show great intelligence, clarity and strength or they will prove they are what the GOP says they are: spineless, weak and ineffective.

The Supers need to get off the fence. And, how they deal with enforcing their own rules will be telling.

I liked this when I read it (LA Times)
"William Galston, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution and a former member of Bill Clinton's White House staff, said: "There's only one kind of outcome that really makes sense here. The rules have to be adhered to or else the whole thing turns into a farce. There must be some punishment. The minimum punishment is the reduction of weight of their delegations by 50%."