Chuck Schumer and Ed Rendell: Only You Can Prevent the Nuclear Option, and Mutually Assured Destruction

Prior to the Iowa caucuses, I warned that no matter what the outcome of the ensuing contests, the Clintons would never, ever, drop out of the race ("If Obama Wins Iowa, Gore May Become President," January 2, 2008).

They have now proved that by declaring they would invoke the nuclear option, i.e., provoking a floorfight at the Democratic convention. That no party in modern times has won the general following a major floorfight at the convention is of no consequence to them. The superdelegates should think about that.

As the primary season progressed it became clear that the only way this campaign would come to an end prior to "mutually-assured destruction" (MAD) was for the Superdelegates ("Dealing with Deadlock, Superdelegates, Michigan and Florida: A Challenge to Both Campaigns", February 6, 2008) and later the SuperDuperdelegates (party leaders in high elective office), to step forward and take the necessary steps to prevent a war of "all against each" that will do nothing but help Republicans. ("SuperDuperDelegates: How About Some Leadership?", March 21, 2008).

By March it was apparent that Hillary Clinton's only remaining path to the nomination is a scorched earth strategy ("Only a PyrrhicVictory Remains Possible for Clinton", March 21, 2008 ). That is more true today than it was then. She has not, and will not, flinch from employing that strategy.

I asked -- and repeat -- this question: if there are only 3 alternative outcomes, either a Hillary or Obama nomination in late August following a bruising battle, or an Obama nomination NOW, without the bruising battle, which outcome is best for the country and party?

The superdelegates, and even more, the super-duper delegates, should have led. Instead, they were awaiting some external event so that they did not offend the Clintons. They could have used Texas, where Obama won the delegates, but lost the popular vote.

Bill Richardson tried to lead after Texas. He was careful not to declare prior to Texas so as not to be accused -- as the leading Hispanic politician in the country -- to have tipped Texas to Obama.

The Clintons attacked ferociously. The sent their old hack, James Carville, to savage Richardson with meaningless nonsense. Richardson is only person running for office who, literally, risked his life time-and-time again to make peace. Carville called him a Judas, not just once, but repeated for weeks over the airwaves. Their message: if another super-duper delegate tries to prevent MAD, they will pay a huge price.

Nor is our political system well-structured to allow Lou Gehrig moments, "taking one's self out of the line-up for the good of the team." There are too many hangers-on, those who see not only 4 or 8 years with important, or cushy, or honorific jobs and titles, but life-changing opportunities for wealth-building thereafter, in the victory of "their" candidate. Even if the Clintons wanted to drop out, the hangers-on would oppose it, and invent fantasies to convince them to remain in the campaign.

Not that they need convincing; the Clintons certainly are not known for self-sacrifice. Indeed, one of Clinton's most senior supporters stated to me "it's always all about the Clintons". A noble gesture just ain't part of their DNA.

Faced with a political system not structured to encourage self-sacrifice, and a political couple not known for it, it was clear months ago, and should be clearer now, that the only way of averting MAD is for key SuperDuperdelegates to show a small profile in courage, and risk the Clintons' wrath for the good of the country and party -- for a couple of leaders to, well, lead.

Unless one believes that a Clinton, or an Obama, nomination after a bruising fight is better for the party than an Obama nomination now, the path is clear: Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, a strong Hillary supporter but who says, "Barack is the real deal", and Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, a strong Hillary supporter who says "Obama will carry Pennsylvania," need to call up the Clintons and tell them it is over. If the Clintons do not withdraw (and I do not expect them to do so), the only way for Schumer and Rendell to make their point is to switch their super-duper delegate votes to Obama.

The Clintons have provided the justification -- their acknowledgment that they will use the nuclear option. In addition to being Senior Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer runs the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, focused on electing more Democrats to the Senate. In addition to being Pennsylvania's Governor, Ed Rendell is also former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

The Clintons' message is clear: "Stop us, or we will destroy the party to save it."

Schumer and Rendell can save the party from throwing away its greatest opportunity in a generation. They can show what it means to be leaders by, well, leading.

Or, they can fiddle; and fritter away the only benefit of the Bush years -- an opportunity for two generations of progressive politics.

Senator Schumer...Governor Rendell.....this is your time.

Are you up to it?

Read more reactions from Huffington Post bloggers to the Indiana and North Carolina primary results

Comments

[skip4Obama]

Shumer do the right thing.....you must kidding or on kool aid...good old chuck does only what is in his best interests....how times have you witness him come out on an issue for the country's or our party's best interest! maybe we can get two new Senators from NY that believe in principals and ethics!

[frustratedinohio]

So where are your superduperdelegates?

They might be entertaining one brutal fact. Obama can't win the GE because of revenge voting. Polls are showing that it is getting higher instead of lower. These are the kinds of situations superdelegates are supposed to take responsibility for. Hillary can win without the black vote, Obama can't win without Hillary's supporters.

[JimmyCrackcorn]

Are you joking? Clinton could win a bake-off without the Black Vote.

So your argument is that Clinton's supporters are whiny-ass whiners who will Sabotage the Democratic Party so we should hand her the nomination?

Obama will replace those whiny-ass whiners with shiny new Democrats.

McCain is the only one unelectable in this race.

[Ahoon]

To answer your question in a word....No.

[Researchguy66]

There won't be a floor fight. It'll be a huge love fest, after which Obama will go down in flames, because it will be clear he doesn't actually stand for anytning.

[savagetiger]

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf

(Enough said)

[DragonMama]

Try living up to your screen name for a few minutes and reading something other than spin. Obama stands for plenty. What does HRC stand for? Mostly naming buildings after people, if you look at her legislative record of introducing legislation from her first term. Obama has stood for women's reproductive rights (that's what all those infamous "present" votes for - go ask Planned Parenthood of Illinois), the rights of the accused (by leading the fight to require video recording of confessions in Illinois - wouldn't it be nice if we had video recordings of confessions from the people currently serving time or facing execution based upon their "confessions" to terrorism and such?), and he's actually from a REAL working class background not just pandering to it - not much income in that community organizing field, and he didn't exactly take up a lucrative law field either.

The information is out there. Research it, or change your screen name you yutz.

[nibblybits]

Rahm Emanuel can also prevent it. He needs to come out in support of the Party's nominee, and neutralize any intention by the Clintons to divide the party. He should speak up.

[laksa]

Yes. Rahm, Gore, Edwards and the rest. All those who think their vote means anything at all, should come out and throw in their support NOW.
Also, Hillary should do what Hucklebee has done for McCain, continue the race on a mild note. You think this is possible??? big sigh!!

[1question]

I"ve had enough of the lies, distortions, and distractions.

I think the next POTUS needs to be "exceptionally elite "and...then some.

I need a President who understands the value of truth and credibility.

[LouisPWu]

It's time to show Hillary the door. She took her shot, missed because she ran a wretched campaign, and she needs to bow out gracefully. If she doesn't - if she goes nuclear - get ready for President McCain.

[JXB]

The Party leadership let it go on longer than it should have, once the pledged delegate outcome became clear and especially once the Clinton campaign announced its intention to change course and pursue a "kitchen sink"-style campaign based upon "electability" (translation: tear your opponent down hoping that his negatives rise faster than yours). But given the leadership displayed in dealing with the current Administration on Iraq, Guantanamo, Habeus Corpus, FISA, politicization of the DOJ, and numerous other issues, perhaps there is no cause for surprise here.

[nton]

""when the water is rising you can't remain,
move to dry land you gotta move on
...you must turn the page" (TTD aka Sananda)