Is it Barack Obama's party now?

Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:56 AM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
It's not even 8am and the Marriott Wardman Park hotel is buzzing with anticipation. At a minimum, today's DNC Rules and Bylaws committee will finally put a period on the saga that has been the Florida-Michigan delegate dispute or as my friends at The Hotline call simply call it: Flor-igan. (As my former HotlineTV partner in crime John Mercurio might admit, though, Flor-igan is no Flohpa, which was Hotline's pet name in '04 for the final 3 battleground states -- FL, OH and PA -- but I digress.)

The posts of First Read have been filled with scenarios and speculation and we'd like to think we've given you all the tools you need today to watch the rulings unfold on live TV (thank you MSNBC!). Go crazy with your own delegate scenarios and please share them with us in the comments section.

But we should step back contemplate one giant fact about today's event: it could be the final piece of evidence for the political world that the Clintons no longer control the Democratic Party. It's actually something many of us realized some time ago but it probably hasn't sunk in yet for Joe and Jane Democrat.

But we are likely to leave this hotel today all realizing that this is Barack Obama's party now. Any ruling that doesn't net Clinton more than 20 delegates and doesn't acknowledge the popular vote results in both Florida and Michigan is going to be seen as favorable to Obama. And all evidence is pointing to a ruling today that ends up favoring Obama.

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Comments

I dont believe there is any way on gods green earth that it will end faviorably for the clintons.

The real question is has the damage already been done. it the party goning to rip itslef aparat or will it come back together.

GDI in Michigan (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:05 AM)

Thanks for the update! I hope it's peaceful and I hope it gets resolved today. We need this party to come together so we can defeate McBush in November.

Obama '08

Eric, Indiana (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:09 AM)

Way to go first read team.

What are you going to do to keep us informed after it becomes the Obama Team Party?

Richard Reeves-Ellington Delmar NY (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:10 AM)

Andrea Mitchell just announced the Clinton campaign has bussed in protestors from Florida. Wonder how much further that puts her campaign in debt. More importantly, it speaks volumes about a woman who looks for utter chaos to help strengthen a losing position regardless of how it divides the party. If the Florida voters were as concerned as we're made to believe, they would have walked on broken glass to get there.

Toni (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:11 AM)

they should have a re-vote in both states. that's the only fair way to do it. for the voters that is. clearly the candidates, the elected officials from florida and michigan don't really care about the people. all they care about is their candidate winning. and MSNBC and CNN only care about one thing, getting obama elected president. WHAT A DISGRACE.

bob (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:16 AM)

Go first read! The only fair thing is to split the vote 50/50 in both states. That is what they said they would do. Both sides agreed so what is the problem. Obama will seat them anyway later on after the anger is over.

Cherie Kansas City MO (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:16 AM)

From your mouth to God's ear! Let's end this endless primary battle and see the clear winner declared on Tuesday might!

Obama 08

Theresa in NY (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:17 AM)

Many we'll be dancing in the street. I don't know if I'm happier seeing that God awful woman shut up (nothing sexist about that) or Obama making it to the next level. But I live in Florida and didn't vote, because they said it wouldn't count, and because no one campaigned here.... I didn't even see a sign.

FloridaNonVoter, Orlando, FL (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:18 AM)

It IS Obama's party now and hopefully stays that way for the next 8 years. Its time to put the strife behinds us and focus on November and defeating McCain. Too much energy has been focused on the nomination.

Clinton folks: This election is not about us women and just electing a woman to the White House its about a nation in trouble. I am sorry you are put out by Obama winning. Don't cut off your noses to spite your faces. Real people; soldiers, the middle class, the poor, people without health insurance are desparate for change and the only way we will have it is if we work together AGAINST 4 more years of failed policy. Voting for McCain will create more gridlock in Washington and hurt countless people. Please don't be stupid. ( and yes stupid is what that is!!!)

OBAMA '08

mingpeke, Thomaston Maine (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:19 AM)

As it should be. Hillary, Bill nor Obama should have control of a party. Its about us the people and our Bill of Rights says so. We the people have to hold all our elected officials accountable for their actions.
If not, accept the consequences of electing people like George Bush.
The Clintons are the past and Obama is the future of this country and the torch should rightfully pass to him because he has earned it.

Wayne (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:20 AM)

it seems to me even George W. Bush couldn't f--- up something this bad. the only thing that matters here is the intent of the voters in MI and FL. and that is being ignored. what a disaster. the republicans did it in 2000 and now the democrats are doing it in 2008. can they figure out how to run an election or what?

jim (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:21 AM)

It is my prayer that these people put in a position of power by the DNC will objectively look at the facts in accordance with the DNC rules and regulations and render a fair and just hearing. The ruling will have to favor Senator Obama in accordance with the rules. I want to see the FL/MI delegation seated, but not with full rights this primary season. Punishment is only for a season. FL/MI will be able to continue to have their early primary dates in the future. They have already gained for the next election cycle. They should not be seated in full this time if the rules are adhered to as they should be.

FL/MI get to vote early the next election cycle without penalty-they must suffer consequences this time. (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:21 AM)

We want change, and we want it now. We want change in the way the country is run, and in the way the Democratic Party is run.

The ridiculous shenanigans pulled off by the Clintons in their attempt hold on to control of the democratic party will be nothing compared to the big oil companies and the industrial military complex when they fight to keep control of the government. However the mood of the people is solidifying behind Barack Obama. We can pull this off, and force the oligarchs out of government. Yes we can!

Bill in Somerset (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:22 AM)

hmm. John Sweeney is out of work now maybe we can get him down here to come intimidate the RBC? it can't really get any worse. what a disaster. i have better things to do than sit around all day watching this crap on television. no matter what the result we know the intent of the voters in Michigan and Florida will be ignored just like the intent of the voters was ignored in Florida in 2000.

bimbo (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:23 AM)

I am a die hard Hillary Supportor, however if Obama's wins, I will support Obama, because I am a true blue DEM.

I do not want the REP back in the WH for another four years.

We need to gain control of our country
We need to bring Unity to our country
We need to stand up and be counted
Who ever wins between the DEM.. I will support

55/White/Female/WV

Just Joyce (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:24 AM)

Thanks Chuck,

Truth is truth! I hope Clinton and her superior army will accept the truth. Do they not know the World is watching?

How is it that they can seem so entitled is beyond me. I realize the normal hierarchy for success in this country is White men, White women and then Black men... Maybe that's why they feel Clinton should get the nomination regardless of how she get's it.

Sheila, Bowie MD (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:25 AM)

"Ding dong, the witch is dead."
"Which old witch?"
"The wicked witch!"

Hey, hey, hey. Goodbye!, CO (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:25 AM)

GO OAMBA ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

HEIDI KANSAS CITY MISSOURI (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:25 AM)

Chuck its about delegates not popular vote. Stop keeping this popular vote theory of Hillary's alive when you and I know its irrelevant. You cant count votes only in states Hillary won. Are you on the side of fairness or Hillary's?.

True American (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:25 AM)

I just read a long news account in which Bill Clinton decries the lack of respect Hillary has received from the media ,MoveOn.org.,and other sundry enemies .There IS a major Democratic figure whose actions have shown the greatest disrespect for Hillary-- Bill Clinton

ariel (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:26 AM)

Chuck I saw you and Andrea Mitchell on TV pushing Hillary's theory of popular votes win theory. You both know its about delegates and Hillary cant win the nomination. His lead is insurmountable as you yourself has said on so many occasions, so why keep misleading the American people?...

Wayne (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:31 AM)

For Michigan: Give Hillary all the votes she claims she got, and give Obama none. But SUBTRACT the number of "Uncommitteds" from Hillary's total.

NKilf (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:31 AM)

It won't be Obama's party until he wins in November. I'm not saying he won't win, but if he doesn't, I think the party will be anybody but Obama's.

Danny, St Louis, MO (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:32 AM)

Any vote that favors Obama is fair because what Clinton is demanding is clearly contrary to the agreement she, and all of the other democratic candidates, signed. Obama has consistently sought to reach a compromise that is fair. Clinton has insisted that she gets everything that she wants. It seems there is no compromising from her (And she wants to be our President? What kind of foreign policy alliances could we expect to forge with her “all or nothing” brand of diplomacy?) If today signals to the Clintons that they don't run/own/control the Democratic Party, it will be a great day for Democracy. With Obama as our President, we can at least feel that he recognizes that this Country belongs to every American. Hillary’s “me, me, me” mantra of the campaign will have ended and many Americans will be grateful to see her step aside so the concept of “we” can again emerge.

Linda Porter, Atlanta, GA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:34 AM)

Chuck OK - I am a 47 year old housewife on Chicago's North Shore and I am RIVETED by this debacle - the pancakes are burning on the griddle as I sneak away to blog on the election! Someone tell me, please tell me - that RULES and FOLLOWING RULES still matter. Hillary lost. Just plain lost. And this party will implode if they take it from Obama. I hope after all the posturing the DNC sets an example of what to do, not how to avoid an unpleasant outcome for a losing candidate.

Carolyn Chicago IL (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:35 AM)

It's amazing that the media outlets don't actually see what it is that the Clintons are trying to do. I'll post a podcast cluing everyone in to the truth on www.kevinmakessense.mypodcast.com.

Kevin, Tampa FL (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:37 AM)

After the scandals of the Clinton presidency and Hillary's Bosnia sniper fire and racist campaign I cant wait for the both to go and go far. No to royalty in America

Maybe we can focus on the issues now and please MSM can we focus on the IMPORTANT issues there are so many of them.
I am so sick of guilt by association and smearing Obama by it. Considering McCain has some really creepy friends as does Clinton and both have had ever more scary religious ties The family and Coe, Robertson etc.) you have largely ignored them. Why havent you even commented on Diamond and Peter Paul? The corruption of McCain and Clinton is monumental

mildred (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:39 AM)

I really hope it gets resolved....this long drawn out race has been divisive and has an affect on all democrats. The longer it goes the more sour it grows.

Stacy (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:42 AM)

I thought Hillary's Chief Strategist Harold Ickes, who is a member of The Rules and Bye-Laws Commitee said we should not expect any decision announcement today, then again the other day Harold also said the Commitee is not bound by any legal rulings or restrictions, this followed after the legal advice given to the committee, it is good how Harold has appointed himself as Official Spokesman, but then again like Hillary "It's My Show and I will do what I want to Do" and they wonder why we want Change!

John B Sheffield, Utah (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:45 AM)

We do news organizations like MSNBC continute to even mention the "popular vote" argument when we all know that it is a fabricated intellectually dishonest position raised by the Clinton team. Candidates are chosen by delegates not popular vote and it has been impossible for Clinton to catch Obama since before Pennsylvania. The popular vote argument has more holes than swiss cheese, leaving out caucus states, including Puerto Rico, etc. More importantly, it is completely irrelevant. Enough already.

JWWS, Randolph, NJ (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:46 AM)

Joe Democrat here. No, I realized it some time ago thank you. My wife Jane as well. I am sure this whole thing as been very profitable and so extended by MSM. Pardon me if i don't thank you for that.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:47 AM)

The man has played according to the rules of the DNC...to strip him of his lead because two renegade states didn't comply with the party rules would be WRONG! http://www.enewsreference.com

eNews Reference (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:50 AM)

Well I for one cannot WAIT for all this BS to be over with. I know I am not alone either. Please, please let this be the END!!! I feel a circus coming to town.

Cynthia, Philly PA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:50 AM)

You guys in the press are really enjoying this. But you all know today changes nothing. Clinton plans to appeal & take it to the convention. We know this because of their rhetoric and Ickes past ventures. They know todays outcome already. So thanks for hype, it's good for democracy.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:50 AM)

It is had for the clintons, and their supporters to fall down from the point of inevitability to the reality of seeing Obama at the helm of the Democtratic party. Notice that polls are now showing Obama more favoured in states which hillary won. So, Hillary, simply join the Obama Nation Wagon. The earlier you do it, the more chances for you to get a good job in his administration.

sem, va (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:51 AM)

You can count on it. This is'nt your mamas party anymore. It's a new kind of politics, and some of you are going to have a hard time keeping up.There will be a strong fresh wind blowing over our nation come november. I can't wait,it's been forty years since I've believed change was on the way.------Got to say it:GOOOOOO WINGS!

LENI,WESTLAND,MICHIGAN (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:52 AM)

Today's decision is creating a fuss that will not change the outcome of this contest.

Karl Lavoie, Gatineau, QC (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:52 AM)

Today's decision is creating a fuss that will not change the outcome of this contest.

Karl Lavoie, Gatineau, QC (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:53 AM)

This is really a lose-lose situation for the Democratic at a time when we should be already be backing up the moving vans to the back entrance to the White House.

It seems pretty clear that Obama will be the nominee. If the Ruless Committee changes that in it's meeting today, it will be construed (rghtly so) thar it was politics as usual and the Clinton power was at work again and "stole" the nomination from Barack. If the results favor Barack, Hilary supporters will view it as sexism. The results for the party could be catastropic. I don't believe all the talk of "party unity" as I don't think it will happen in time for the election, the wounds are too great.

I would have preferred that she had taken a look at the Republicans and ended her race when it was clear that the numbers wwuldn't add up. let's face it, she cites Karl Rove in support of her argument that she is more electable sofollowiing the Repubs wouldn't be too unpalitable for her . However, I do believe that she shoud stay in the race if that is what she wanted to do. However it makes me wonder was the damage to the party worth it?

Denise (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:54 AM)

Florida non voter-

Please make your voice heard. Not enough people have spoken up about not going to the ballot box after having their votes and voices negated. Thank you and please preach the same message to other Floridians.

Truth2008 (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:55 AM)

It's Obama's party now, and she can cry if she wants to!

I voted "uncommitted" in Michigan - as did many others - and it would be a shame I(dare I say "crying shame"?) if Obama didn't prevail. She is pushing feminism - and all that we've worked for - and a fast track backwards!

Michigan Wants Obama! (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:56 AM)

With all respects to Senators Gore and Kerry, the Democratic Party remained the fief of the Clinton political organization (controlled by themselves and their surrogates) when this campaign began more than a year ago. The first question of a potential Obama presidency -- could he highjack the Party from the Clintons' control and build a new coalition to serve as a vehicle to gain the White House -- is close to being answered. In this sense, the strum and drang of today's RBC meeting is simply a rearguard action more likely to confirm the change in circumstances than to overturn it. For all the talk of "if we can't make the rules then we won't play the game," most Democrats, including boomers, and including women, will stay with their party and take their place in this new coalition.

thewolf1 (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:59 AM)

Whatever. Obama won fair and square. It is time to put this behind us and unite behind the Democratic nominee. The defendant in the campaign fraud lawsuit and her sexual predator husband are old news. Tough break Hillary! I hope your brothers weren't counting on any more payoffs in exchange for Presidential pardons.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none. Hey, Hillary, do sitting Presidents get immunity from civil lawsuits? On second thought, what difference does it make? You won't be President when the opening arguments begin in the Peter Paul lawsuit.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:00 AM)

i'm tired of Hillary's "feminist populism" schtick, only the latest in a series of hats she tried on to see if it fits.........geez, she makes Romney actually look consistent. i've never seen an adult politician behave so obnoxiously in my lifetime. i'm only sorry my fellow Boricuas in PR can't see through her b*llsh*t.

Angel (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:00 AM)

Any ruling that doesn't give Hillary a huge boost is going to be seen as unfair to a large number of people. But I think it's important that whatever decision is made today doesn't have much of an impact on the primary race. The reason they moved their primaries was so they could have more impact on the race. The only fair punishment is to make sure that they don't. Florida is debateable as to whether the vote there was fair or not but they have to be penalized. There isn't even any pretense for calling Michigan fair. Obama wasn' even on the ballot and saying now that it's his fault for taking his name off is laughable. Hillary should have respected the rules and taken her name off as well. No one seems to be talking about how the independents and left-wing republicans who would have voted Obama and instead went with Mccain were not going to be allowed to vote in a revote in Michigan. I think the committee will do what's fair today, but Hillary will probably have to be dragged off the field in the end. Her supporters who advocate seating all delegates from both states and giving Obama -0- in Michigan are embarrassing all of us. I hope it ends soon.
John from Texas

John, canton , Tx (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:02 AM)

Chuck, I will believe Hillary is out of it when I hear her say it!! LOL I just don't think that woman is going to give an inch unless THEY reel her in.

dwight, sc (Sent Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:03 AM)

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