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.

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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

[lykitis]

Ladies and Gentlemen.­..

Hillary Clinton...­President of the United States. Don't miss these pictures!!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1022805/One-end-road-Merry-Clinton-knocks-whisky-campaign-plane.html

[AMJordan]

Everything was fine until she decided to take off her top and tell the pilot to set course for Ft. Lauderdale.

[utd]

Why is that a problem? Bill flies around tanked with no pants on all the time, it's only fair.

[nonconformist2]

The ELEPHANT in the room: How many voters never showed up to vote in Michigan or Florida b/c they were told their votes did not count? Especially Michigan where Edwards or Obama were not on the ballot. Haven't they been just as disinfranchized? Florida has so many voters b/c their was a property tax issue on the ballot. There is the rule of law. There is fairness and simple human decency. And then there's one candidate's unflinching manipulation and spin b/c she is losing. Does it remind anyone else of of when you were a kid and you had a little sister or brother who used to show temper tantrums when they didn't get their way, so everyone else in the family always had to give in and they always got more than anyone else, but you knew you had to do it b/c they were such babies about it? The Republicans gave Florida and Michigan half of their delegates before the primaries began, the states were punished, the candidates were allowed to campaign and no one's name was missing from the ballot. It's a scary thing when the Republicans are doing a better job than us!

[TonalCrow]

Another ELEPHANT in the room are the legions of GOPpers who joined Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" to vote for Hillary. Hillary counts these in her "popular vote" calculations.

[AMJordan]

Yeah, that kind of tainted both Texas and Indiana.

[LadyM9]

Great point! Thanks for raising it.

[mergina]

Ah, the faces of the dems capable of creating a losing scenario for them in the fall. Helpless against Bush and Cheney, and now, looking misguided and impotent for the November election. If anyone can figure out a way to blow it when this wretched excuse for a president is handing them a victory on a silver platter, these people will.

[JeffersonState]

They should have waited until next week to get all antsy. Let all the states vote, everybody gets a chance to be heard, then call for the end.

This looks a little like desperation is setting in.

We expect our leaders to be smart and wise, when really they are just a bunch of regular people. That is to say, mostly not smart and probably not wise.

[AMJordan]

Bad news for you. Tuesday the last two states will vote. It'll be over except for the whining.

[Aleka4]

The problem is, we expect another 2 months + of whining while she drags it out to convention, bashing Obama every step of the way.

[veteran1964]

Don't bet on it. I just got an e-mail from a source and Hillary is going to run as an independent after next week. This is her surprise she has talked about for June. Get ready to vomit.

[Grannysue]

Look, I'm sick to death of the Hillary supporters, surgots and zealots and of her and her husband. Obama has ran an honorable campaign, that can hardly be said for Hillary, I doubt that word has ever crossed her lips. She felt entitled, when she lost eleven states in a row, it was like, how dare those voters not choose me, and the people that did vote for her were expressing the same. Obama's supporters are saying what he and his campaign won't, that this woman will do anything, say anything, be anything if she thinks in the end she will get what she wants, it doesn't matter what's happening to our Country, to our soldiers, to our economy, to the world, it is clearly all about her. Her husband was and effective President, however, I wouldn't exactly call him pure, that word wouldn't not even pass the lips without trying to turn around, her and Bill only know one thing, play dirty, lie, decieve, muddle the facts and of course it all depends on what the meaning of is is! So, her and her supporters can basically bite me! Remember Hillary, if the broom fits, ride it! It's about dam time that Dean, Reid and Peolsi put and end to this crap, otherwise come June 3rd we'd hear, o.k. if it's a full moon on a Tuesday in August, then we may get out!

[truthyguy]

Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain... I am the Great Hillary! I am All Powerful and Infallible.

I am the most electable. I can still win. The delegates will change their votes. Florida and Michigan are mine.

[RedDogBear]

I just sent a respectful email to Senator Clinton telling her how much I have valued the Clinton's contribution to our country and hope that their legacy and future can be preserved by her supporting Barak Obama. I suggest others send their thoughts:

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/help/contact/

[PoliJunkie]

Thank you Red for the suggestion, I did the same thing and I really hope she doesn't spin it the other way, as only her camp can do...LOL

[liseworks]

I did the same thing last week, ....well, not exactly -

I wrote to tell her what a divisive witch she was & how totally 100% wrong she was running her self & her campaign.
I got an email back : ""Thank you for your interest in Hillary - Please DONATE to Hillary's campaign"" -
LOL ! This is what you'll get back ....

[DietrichMoody]

Im sure she didn't care being called a witch, as long as you gave her MONEY.

[veteran1964]

I sent her a picture of my middle finger. Also I asked her if it is true that her June surprise for the media is that she is running as an Independent next week after the primaries.

[donaldw6]

Guilty as well.

[rzan]

I also sent a respectful E-mail to Hillary.

[santafenm]

Pelosi is a joke. The DNC is a joke. Donna Brazile is scary.

As an Independent, I cringe when I see such buffoonery- just another reason I left the two party system.

[nonconformist2]

I like Donna Brazille.

[SCG]

I'll second that.

[buckygreen]

I've always been completely impressed by Donna Brazile. Shes one of the most obviously consistently intelligent and reasonable people I've ever listened to.

[SCG]

the republicans run like clock work.

[AMJordan]

and produce robots instead of thinking, breathing human beings.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

As an Independent, you have no say in the workings of a party.

[DietrichMoody]

Why do you Cringe?

[ZandyS]

Donna is awesome and very funny!!!!

[missionimpossible]

I believe that most of the Hildabeast's supporters will have some common sense left and hold their noses while they vote for Obama. The other small percentage of old white women femi nazi have so much emotion spent on the Hildabeast, that it really doesn't matter how gracious Obama(or any other male candidate for that matter) is, they will see Obama's nomination as an affront to their femininity.
I sympathize with them, but to balance out, if Obama would have gone as negative as the hildabeast, it wouldn't have been the kitchen sink, but the entire house thrown at the HIldabeast.
Obama has had to bite his tongue numerous times due to the fact that he was running against a BONAFIDE WOMAN and wanted to be gentlemanly. I used to admire and respect the Hildabeast, but not anymore. Obama/Webb 08.

[nonconformist2]

Now Now. I'm a woman. I'm a feminist. I'm middle aged. I'm an Obama supporter. No need to insult any of these categories. Obama has shown class and grace throughout. Hillary? Well, let's just say there are real women in this world who are true victims. My sympathy lies with them. Hillary uses the "victim card" for political gain is absolutely appalling.

[ZandyS]

I apologize for some of the buffoons here. It just shows that just as not all older, but still beautiful white women support Barack, not all of Barack’s supporters are highly educated. J

[ZandyS]

Sorry, a bit of misprint here. When i meant is:

I apologize for some of the buffoons here. It just shows that just as not all older, but still beautiful white women support HRC, not all of Barack"s supporters are highly educated.

[rzan]

Please stop the ageist and sexist comments. I am a 60-year-old white woman, and I support Obama. I am deeply ashamed of Hillary Clinton. Don't assume.

[TocinoHumano]

Well said, rzan. And remember, we "older" folks get the last laugh: We look at these 25- and 30-year-olds and we know how quickly the next 30 years of their lives are going to pass, how soon it will seem to them that they are old and being insulted and ridiculed by younger generations. Age is the great equalizer.

[Promise]

I am in the demographic group assumed to be pro-Hillary: over 60, White and female. I have never liked Hillary, and have been supporting Obama since Edwards and Richardson dropped out of the race. I dislike Hillary but I find your comments ugly and ignorant.

[srtjsrtj]

FLORIDA VOTERS NOT SUPPORTING HILLARY (PART 2)

FLORIDIANS WERE TOLD BY THE FLORIDA SENATE THAT THEIR VOTES WOULD NOT COUNT. THOSE WHO VOTED WENT TO THE POLES TO VOTE FOR ADMENDENT 29 TO DECREASE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES IF THE BILL PASSED.

MILLIONS IN FLORIDA DID NOT VOTE BECAUSE THEY DISAGREED WITH THE BILL, BECAUSE THEY FELT IT WOULD CAUSE THE LAYOFF OF MANY CITY, LOCAL AND STATE EMPLOYEESS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BUDGET TO COVER THE DECREASE

THEREFORE, KNOWING THAT THEIR PRIMARY VOTE WOULD NOT COUNT AFTER HAVING BEEN TOLD COUNTLESS TIMES BY THE MEDIA, FLORIDA NEWS PAPAERS, THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE FLORIDA SENATE, STAYED HOME.

HILLARY AND ALL THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES SIGNED PLEDGES AND EVEN WENT ON TV AND AGREED THAT FL & MI WOULD NOT COUNT UNTIL SHE FELL BEHIND IN THE RACE AND SAW SOMETHING SHE COULD USE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM.

THE MISTAKE THE MEDIA AND ALL THE PUNDITS MADE WAS REFUSING TO EVEN INTERVIEW OR LISTEN TO THOSE MILLIONS OF VOTERS THAT DO NOT SUPPORT HILLARY OR AGREE WITH HER CONTINUALLY BREAKING THE RULES. THE MEDIA BOUGHT THIS HYPE BY THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN AND THE REST TOOK ON A LIFE OF IT'S OWN.

[srtjsrtj]

FLORIDA VOTERS NOT SUPPORTING HILLARY (PART) I

THE FLORIDA VOTERS THAT DO NOT SUPPORT HILLARY CLINTON ARE NETWORKING TO ENSURE THAT THAT DNC FOLLOWS IT'S OWN RULES. SO FAR BILL & HILLARY HAVE TAKEN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE DNC AND PUSHED EVERYONE ASIDE AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO STOP THEM FROM DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT.

TODAY THE FLORIDA VOTERS MILLIONS WHO ARE NOT FOR HILLARY SINCE THE MEDIA WOULD NOT LISTEN TO THEM AND EVERYONE THINKS HILLARY REPRESENTS EVERY VOTER IN , IF NECESSARY PLAN TO FILE SUIT IMMEDIATELY IF THE DNC DOES NOT FOLLOW ITS OWN RULES.

FLORIDA VOTERS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING ONE SIDE OF THE STORY. TODAY ON CNN THE FLORIDA SENATE SPOKE UP BUT NO ONE ELSE CARRIED THE STORY.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Caps lock key. Ever seen it?

[SCG]

It takes a village.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Hope your part 2 is not in all caps.

[ChiGuy]

More and more everyday:

"It's not just that Clinton made ghastly comments to a South Dakota newspaper about how she is staying in the race because stuff happens as late in the presidential calendar as June, and then brought up that it was June 1968 when Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles. Or that she has once again, in recent days, argued that she is the only Democrat who can beat John McCain in November when it was just a few weeks ago that she said during a debate on ABC News that she was sure either she or Obama would beat McCain.

"More troubling is that the Clinton endgame seems to be all about blame. Hillary and her supporters are doing everything they can to pin the impending demise of this historic presidential campaign on – you name it – the media's infatuation with Obama, the Democratic National Committee's refusal to count delegates in Michigan and Florida and anything else they can think up."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080529/news_lz1ed29bottom.html

[AdLib]

Which is why the DNC leadership has been holding back the SDs until after the end of the primaries. However, since they'll be over on Tuesday, they'll be jumping on board the Obama train to victory. If Hillary wants to focus on being "bitter", she'll be left lonely and insignificant.

[Erub]

Let's suppose for a minute its true what they say about Hilary and Bill - driven by ambition and machiavellian in style. If this is true, then it stands to reason that Hillary is sticking it out in the primaries because there's something for her to gain from this obviously losing cause. If Barak is elected he will most likely serve for 2 terms. Hilary's next shot at the presidency would be 2016. If Barak loses the election to McCain then Hilary would be a shoo-in as the Democratic candidate in 2012. Hilary has stuck it out in the primaries, purposefully damaging Barak's chance of being elected president because it serves her ambition of running in 2012.

[KillTheMessenger]

Not everything people do is rational. You an not accuse President Clinton of always acting rationally, for sure. No rational person gets a BJ from anyone but their own wife in the Oval Office. You can take the thought from there...

[foreffectivegovernment]

KillTheMessenger: If Bill Clinton getting a BJ in the Oval Office is your hang-up and you agree with the Republican Impeachment of Bill Clinton.
Please give George W. Bush a BJ so Harry Read and Nancy Pelosi will have guts enough to pick on George W. Bush instead of Hillary Clinton.

[Promise]

If Barack loses I don't think that Hillary would be a shoo-in in 2012. I think people are Plenty Sick of Her!

[DarkDiva]

From a post I just read - "Hillary is basically threatening the party with her psycho supporters­." Psycho supporters? That offends me. Just because I haven't drank the Obama koolaid, I am a psycho supporter. Nice. And these lovely supporters of Obama want me to vote for their man in November. As much I want a Democrat in the White House in November, I want the RIGHT person in the White House in November. Some of the nastiest people I have met this primary season have been Obama supporters. Where's the dignity in the win? Why the nastiness? Your man is ahead and will probably win the nomination. Let's have a little dignity and maturity, especially since your man will probably need some of Hillary's supporters in the Fall. Ya think? Maybe? Alienating us with your abusive rhetoric only fans the flames of dissent.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Troll alert!

[TocinoHumano]

Yeah, those darn trolls. Telling us that we, as Democrats, need to stick together if we're going to beat McCain in November; trying to spread unity and a sense of commonality. Who do they think they are!?!?!

[AMJordan]

NO! You can't mean that! D@MMIT MCCAIN! Quality not quantity!

[lorla]

If you're a Democrtat, he's your man too.

[Meggie]

if a large group of clinton supporters show up at the 5/31 meeting to protest or whatever they think they're going to do rather than let this group hold their meeting and make some decisions, then they are psycho. dignity and maturity? maybe. better effort would be to look through all of the hard-working, intelligent and successful women there are in the US and find some to support for the future. acting like she's the only one capable in the country is odd.

[Detestable]

You know I've seen a LOT of hate from Clinton supporters on these forums. With that being said, you're right. You (Clinton supporters) don't deserve to be treated that way by Obama supporters. We do need you on our side in November.

[CyberGal619]

We tried the Kumbaya routine after Indiana/NC and what did it get us? More smear, more threats, more vitriol from HRC supporters. I personally extended numerous olive branches to various posters and was told to eff off.

Your threats of Obama supporters alienating the po widdle Clinton supporters is bunk, too.

We don't think all HRC supporters are rabid, but enough of them are and have definitely given a black eye to any normal HRC campers.

[ManyColored]

I do see a lot of negative Hillary comments from those who support Obama. What I also see is a lot of bigoted and ignorant comments from those who support Clinton. If that's the kind of electorate that she appeals to, I am sorry, but I want nothing to do with people who have such closed minds. I have never supported Clinton, based strictly on her support for the Iraq War. But it is disturbing to see the tone, not only of the Clinton campaign, but also of her supporters take such a negative, and often (as I mentioned) biased and ignorant approach. That's not to say that Obama doesn't have some of those types in his camp. But the overwhelming number seem to be the ones backing Senator Clinton.

[Aleka4]

You should see the ones over at Taylor Marsh and Hillary44. they make the ones here look like sweet old grannies.

They are seriously loonie over there. Very hateful. And they never stop to wonder why people might post a bit disrespectfully to them.

[ManyColored]

It's sad, really, how this campaign has evolved. The worst Hillary supporters are not here, but anywhere you can post a comment without logging in. I had hoped in the beginning for a little more class from her supporters, but it's over the top right now as they get more and more desperate.

[shades3]

If Hillary Clinton had kicked Bill to the curb after humiliating her, internationally, and taken back her maiden name, Hillary Rodham, she would have had the chance of an icecube in Hell of even being a nominee for President.
She did not do anything that a truly independant woman would do in those circumstances because without her husband she is a total stranger.
Her experience is that which her husband has.
Using that rationale, I should be a computer systems analyst, specializing in small machine tools, because my husband is and after all, we have been married as long as Hillary and Bill Clinton have.
Surely that qualifies me to do his job.
Hillary Clinton had ONE project while her husband was President, HEALTH CARE. She blew it.