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LB, Virginia — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:50:09 GMT

I am sure Hillary doesn't need any additional representatives since Harold Ickes is there along with 12 other cronies. Although, knowing Hillary, she'll probably try and coerce Ruth Ginsberg to go. (although she's probably an Obama girl!)

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Unbelievable in Alexandria — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:50:22 GMT

Everyone knows that at the end of this Obama will be the nominee. It is a very sad state of affairs when the country Democrats hand the general election over to McCain. All of you who trash talk Clinton were probably not even old enough in the 90's to understand what kind of world we lived in then. As to the Obama biased media, I blame you for the loss of the Clinton campaign. You, "mass-media" have flamed the fires for every attack on Clinton.

As to the "superdelegates" how much are you being paid to endorse Obama? How far up Obama's rear end are you? Are you so far up his rear that you do not see that he will lose against McCain? I believe the system should be changed to reflect the popular vote and do away with all this delegate, superdelegate idiocracy.

Does it matter in the long run that Obama holds the black and young vote? I think not, because they won't be the one's coming out in droves to vote, it will be the people that got shut out, those who supported Clinton, they will be the ones who decide the race.

Clinton '08 or none at all.

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paulf, brooklyn, ny — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:51:32 GMT

interesting that it's a florida rep and the lawyer who argued the gore v bush case (didn't he?). both will counter clinton's claims of "disenfranchising florida like in 2000"

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paulf, brooklyn, ny — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:52:15 GMT

interesting that it's a florida rep and the lawyer who argued the gore v bush case (didn't he?). both will counter clinton's claims of "disenfranchising florida like in 2000"

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Pete - Albany, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:53:52 GMT

Who will represent the Clinton campaign tomorrow? That's easy...

Florida - Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz
Michigan - Gov. Jennifer Granholm or Sen. Debbie Stabenow

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Booyah Bonior — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:53:54 GMT

Leave it to the Bonster to end this drama

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Mama for Obama, Denton, TX — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:53:59 GMT

I hope the DNC remembers that this meeting is not just about this election, but also about future elections. This decision should be focused on doing what's right for the voters, first and foremost (including those who did not vote because they were told their votes wouldn't count), as well as the party. It is really NOT about either Obama or Clinton. I hope they choose a fair and just solution.

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scorpioleidee - Glenwood, IL — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:54:12 GMT

I'll just be glad when this is all over ... and Hillary Huckabee's campaign can finally be put to bed ... g'night Hillary ...
OBAMA '08 and '12

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TYE — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:54:14 GMT

EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS OVER, BUT THE CLINTONS

OBAMA PICKS UP 2 ADDITIONAL SUPERDELEGATES THIS AM FROM TX. THIS IS WORTH REPORTING...STAY FOCUS!!!

OBAMA 2008!!!

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Sharon in CT — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:54:45 GMT

Who, of any note, could HRC get to stand before this committee (and the American people)and try to convince anyone that her position is a fair, let alone logical, solution? This should be interesting.

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Monty Raye, Canton Ohio — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:54:54 GMT

Why are Hillary or Obama even represented at this meeting? Either the DNC makes the rules, or it doesn't. Candidates should follow the rules and never make the rules.

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Wal — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:55:33 GMT

Rules are Rules.
If Massachusetts was “Winner take all” as Arizona and California, Mitt Romney will be still in the race. If Massaschussetts or Arkansas or Florida had change the primary date and put before Iowa, we may be McCain would haven’t won the primary.
Mitt

He didn't complain about it.
If we give Michigan to Hilary, that would means Bidden, Dodd, Richardson, Edward and Obama were not smart enough to keep their names on the ballots.

Nobody thinks that was the case. They agreed with DNC to protect the future of the process.
Gatcha or not Rules!

If we are serious about democratize the world, we have to be serious about the process. It is a shame that the former president go to this low road.
The majority of pledge delegate should determine the nominee; the will of people.

People know what means democratic process
2025 was the goal at the start and 2025 will be the goal at the end.

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Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:56:29 GMT

To "Will the real Obama please stand up"

You automatically assumed I attend Trinity Church just because I support Barack Obama. I don't attend any stinking church because church is for losers!

Don't try the guilt by association act with me because as you've seen you're 100% wrong. It's losers like you that support that loser from New York that are the problem in our party and our country.

I also don't call people racist just because they criticize Obama, I do if they criticize his race because that is racist. Otherwise I just call dolts like you Ignorant Fools for being too ignorant to see how brilliant this fine man is. I'm a 56 year old white guy with a college education thanks to my service to our country during that dirty little war in VietNam and I approve of what Barack Obama stands for. Did you serve our country, hmmm?

Go Obama 08/12!

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Eric Little, Colorado Springs, CO — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:57:16 GMT

Why is this hard? A primary was held, votes were made by the people, and then counted. All this other stuff going on is just smoke and mirros. Just count the votes.

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Need To Know — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:58:32 GMT

Bonior did such a great job helping Gore. Is this really the guy you want in there Barack.

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GA GUY — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:58:55 GMT

They have 13 reps on the committee, I am sure they think that is enough! ;D

It will be interesting to see who wants this politically ruinous task!!

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Rob — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:58:56 GMT

Nothing will motivate the Republicans to swarm more than Hillary Clinton being the nominee (by ANY means). They have prepared for Hillary's run for eight years and want that fight.

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donna — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:58:57 GMT

My 18 month old granddaughter could represent team Obama, (whose pronounciation of grandma is, pa pa), and still get a slam dunk for Barack!

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Cynthia, Williamsburg, VA — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:59:16 GMT

How about Ickes as their representative? He can jump back and forth from behind the table to in front of the table making the arguments! I absolutely do not understand how they can have a KEY member of the Clinton campaign sitting on the board.

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Jason Dobson, Lansing MI — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:59:52 GMT

I'm very curious about how the RBC will count my vote. As a Michigan resident, I stayed home since I thought my vote for Obama would not count. All of a sudden, they want to count those votes. That to me is blatant disenfranchisement. The only resolution in MI that would be fair to voters like me would be a 50-50 split. Any counting of Hillary versus uncommitted votes would be ridiculously unfair.

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Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:23 GMT

A good solution to this dilemna would be to give Hillary exactly what she wants. Seat the delegates from Florida and Michigan according to the original results, even though Obama was not on the ballot in Michigan.

Here's the rub. After this is done, all of the currently uncommitted superdelegates should announce for Obama. When asked why, they should say that they can no longer consider supporting a fraudulent, conniving, pandering, race baiting, pathological liar like Hillary Clinton. They can also remind everyone that Hillary signed the documents agreeing that Florida and Michigan would be excluded this year. They can also remind everyone that Hillary is claiming an absolute lead in the popular vote, when no one can even make that determination. They can also remind everyone that Hillary is currently being sued for campaign finance fraud in California.

Under that scenario, Obama still wins the nomination, and the corrupt, pathological liar and her sexual predator husband will be denied reentry into the White House.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

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Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:32 GMT

These two fine gentlemen will serve Obama well at the meeting. While "Bag Lady" Hillary will gain some ground in the delegate battle she won't gain enough and two states will not overturn what the majority of the other 48 states and several territories have already decided.

No stealing the nomination behind closed doors unless you want to destroy our party's chances for winning in November and disenfranchise the majority of voters who did vote in legal elections!

Go Obama 08/12!

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Bob in Tallahassee — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:59 GMT

AS a Florida democratic voter, the answer seems simple to me. The entire delegation from Michigan and Florida should be seated for unity, and they should be allowed to participate with a full vote on all matter like every other delegate, but, they should not be allowed to vote for the nominee except by acclamation. We will have a nominee before then, and the vote will be by acclamation anyway. The DNC rules said our votes will not count for the selection of the nominee, and they should not.

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voter — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:01:08 GMT

Two comments. First, the guest priest at Obama's church is not his mentor. Get the facts first before making false allegations. It is impossible for Obama to be catholic, chrisitan and a muslim. Everytime someone makes a comment about clinton, everyone says he is just like that person. This is laughable because Obama cannot be every religion and culture. Lets have Hillary take reponsibility for her divisive statments and assissaination remarks. She needs to also take responsibility on her failed campaign. Despite the party insiders who created the rules of the democratic primaries (Ickes and McAullife) she lost. Sometimes it is hard to make sense how the inevitable nominee lost, but to blame it on sexism and conspiracy theories without having your candiate take responsibility for her failed actions does not make sense.

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aleese — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:01:25 GMT

Hillary's representation, is on the board!

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BJ,CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:02:08 GMT

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23488377-details/One+for+the+end+of+the+road+Merry+Clinton+knocks+back+whisky+on+campaign+plane/article.do

weird stuff

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Sunshine, Peoria IL — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:02:31 GMT

If Sen. Clinton wants to continue to make her case that she would be the best democratic nominee, then by all means let her do so. But let her and her surrogates do so using accurate and truthful means, without this kind of misleading hyperbole.

Talk about polls if you want to, but make sure to note that there as many polls showing Obama leading as Clinton. There are polls showing both get more than 270 electral votes (albeit in different ways). And general election polls five months out are pretty meaningless in anyway (just ask Bill Clinton circa 1992 when he was way down in the polls five months out).

Make your case than MI and FL should be seated. But stop blaming the Obama camp for it. Mention that your own advisor Harold Ickes was one of the people who voted to strip all the delegates. Mention that you agreed to it. Your own spokesman Terry MacAuliffe, as DNC chair, said the same thing. And for goodness sake, stop comparing an intraparty nominating contest to abolition, women's suffrage and election in Zimbabwe. Last I heard, no one was running around beating up teachers, clergy and jailing journalists. That's how they run elections in Zimbabwe.

Try to make you case for popular vote. But do mention that you knew (and said!) that delegates were what counted not to many months ago. Mention that while you count MI and FL, you also have to discount 4 caucus states to do. Mention that winning PR doesn't mean anything because they don't vote in the general election. And do mention that your opponent wasn't even on the ballot in one of those states and you won't give him any delegates (so who's blocking allowing MI now?).

My only request for Sen. Clinton (and I would ask the same of Sen. Obama) is the campaign truthfully. If anything, such obviously misleading, half-truthful and inconsistent arguments hurt her campaign. And people don't elect people they don't trust.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:02:50 GMT

Good. This needs to be resolved so we can move forward and address the general election. FL and MI broke the rules, a penalty will be imposed to prevent future occurrences of the same conduct. This is an old issue; settle it and move on.

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Hold Them Accountable — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:08:21 GMT

Hold all candidates to the agreements they made last year not to campaign in FL and MI. Mrs. Clinton did agree not to count the votes from these two states. She is a lawyer she knows what she signed. She should be accountable for her actions in this and all elections. She is fighting to become the President isn't it time for a President with integrity.
The people of Michigan and Florida both know they voted out of turn. Mrs. Clinton's campaign manager has striped states delegates before a national convention himself. Do not allow the popular vote to be counted in MI and FL. That was the agreement. You as a committee should also be held to what you agreed to be the punishment for FL and MI.

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John, MI — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:08:57 GMT

"" would result in Clinton gaining a "not insignificant" number of delegates ""

That is all that needs to be said, this is stupid and childish, its like arguing over who gets the nickel someone found on the floor when the prize of $20 has already been allocated. For the sake of I can't stand HRC claiming BS lies anymore just take a stand and say Obama is the nominee so McCain can be our next president (regardless how they seat these delegates)

McCain 08

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Bill NH — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:09:25 GMT

It just doesn't matter! The only way for HRC to win this is if Obama gets hit in the head with a meteor or have some other sort of fatal freak accident. Then HRC could ride in on her white horse and unite the party. This is highly unlikley. We really need to start working on the General. OBAMA 08

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Beverly in Chicago — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:10:10 GMT

Obama will still be ahead no matter how many dirty tricks the Clintons have. If you don't believe me ask Chuck Todd; he has the numbers.

TO Greg Anthony in South Suburban Midlothian, IL

What do know about a separatist movement? The last I checked you South Suburban area has fewer Black people than the percentage of Black people in Chicago. In other words almost nil. For centuries more than generations this has been the pattern in the burbs. Unless your ancestors were abolishlists, is it fair to say you are a separatist?

Obama has explained his position and realclearpoliics averages polls and Obama beats Clinton and McCain?

Here are a few questions you may know something about and can answer.

1. Why does Fox keep their cameras at Trinity Church?
2. Why do they harass/interview and stalk the Church members to ascertain where Barack was in hopes of calling Barack a liar? Or could it be a gotcha moment?
3. Why must FIXED NEWS harass members in hospices in order to prove Barack was at the Church during the time Fox played for the world Rev. Wright’s video all day, everyday?
4. Are you going to claim Father Pfleger a racist, Muslim, or Marxist?
5. Why did the current Bush lie to us about Iraq?
6. Why did John McCain say we don't have to go to war for oil anymore?
7. Why are we paying $4.00 for gas?
8. If we invade Iran, how much will we pay for gas then?
Why are body bags coming back in thousands over a lie?
The Wolf- man is a hypocrite and loser. How dare he not advise Hillary to apologize to Barack for suggesting assassination!
Enough is umhh, enough. Father Pfleger’s name is not on the ballot.
Ummhh, I think, Father Pfleger’s gaffe is a pimple on the universe.

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sem, va — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:10:21 GMT

am very disappointed by the situation. I know the pressure from Hillary and camp, BUT, BUT,... failure by the DNC to execute appropriate punishment to FL and MI will make a disatrous precidence. Based on the outcome, the other 48 states will learn something for the future. I hope the lesson will be that RULE and RULES, and must be followed without excemption.

A lesson: watch out political gimmick players like Hillary who did not care about FL and MI until she was losing. Shame on you Bully Hillary Bill!

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JP, Sedona — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:10:26 GMT

Will the afternoon session of the RBC be open to the public and broadcast on tv???

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Bill Harrington, Graham, Washington — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:10:39 GMT

I have total confidence in these two reps for OBAMA, let's get the Rules Committee meeting started - and CALL THE QUESTION - we have a general election to win on November 4th !!!!

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MSierra, SF — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:10:44 GMT

OBAMA LEADS CLINTON BY 13% in CALIFORNIA !!

'...is now preferred as the party nominee by a landslide 51 to 38 percent among the state's Democrats,...'

Forget Florida and Michigan....

LET'S RE-VOTE IN CALIFORNIA !!

Let the people of California BE HEARD !!
WE WANT OBAMA !!

'... appears to undercut Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's argument that she is the stronger presidential candidate in big states, showing that her long-standing suppo%rt in the nation's most populous state has eroded among Democrats - and even women...'% !!

"It shows Hillary Clinton is no longer seen as the standard-bearer for the party; that role has now been taken over by Barack Obama. She's not big in the biggest state anymore, the biggest prize of all American politics."

She's yesterday's news (just like Bill)

From the SF Chronicle:

'...Clinton falls behind Obama in state, poll says
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Friday, May 30, 2008

A new poll of California voters appears to undercut Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's argument that she is the stronger presidential candidate in big states, showing that her long-standing support in the nation's most populous state has eroded among Democrats - and even women.

The latest Field Poll shows that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama - who lost the Feb. 5 California primary to Clinton by nine points - is now preferred as the party nominee by a landslide 51 to 38 percent among the state's Democrats, according to a poll of 914 likely party voters taken May 16-27.

And in a head-to-head contest with presumed GOP nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Obama does as well as Clinton, both of them beating the Republican by 17 points among a cross section of voters likely to cast ballots in November. Obama also leads McCain 59 to 24 percent among critical decline-to-state or independent voters, who make up 20 percent of the California electorate, the poll showed.

With just days until the final primaries in Puerto Rico on Sunday and in South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday, the poll shows Clinton of New York also has lost ground among her base voters in critical California - the state that represents the biggest cache of Electoral College delegates and where both she and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have long enjoyed strong support.

Women, who have given Clinton a consistent edge in California, now support Obama by 49-41 percent, the poll shows.

"Women have pretty much come 'round to accepting Obama," said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll. He said the erosion of ground under Clinton in California is the result of Democrats' growing acceptance of the outcome of the primaries and the fact that Obama could have the required number of delegates for the party nomination by as early as next week.

Obama apparent winner
"I think voters here and elsewhere have been viewing the events of the last two or three months as the nomination battle has unfolded, and Californians are coming to the conclusion that Obama is the delegate winner," DiCamillo said. "They seem to be satisfied with backing Obama as the nominee.

"Many California Democrats are probably anxious to get the general election started and to stop the intramural battle between Obama and Clinton," he said.

The poll shows that while Clinton still leads Obama among three categories of voters - those over 65, those with a high school education or less and those earning less than $40,000 a year - Obama now bests the former first lady in all other age, educational groups and income levels.

In breakdowns among voters by ethnicity, Clinton leads only among Latinos - by more than 2-1 - though Obama is ahead among white non-Hispanics by a whopping 56-34 percent, among African Americans by a huge 76-13 percent and favored by Asians by 56-33.

DiCamillo said the poll showed some lingering resentment as 22 percent of Clinton supporters said they are "not likely" to vote for Obama in the general election, and 17 percent of Obama's backers said they are "not likely" to back Clinton should she be the nominee.

With Obama appearing to be moving quickly to round up the delegates needed to claim the nomination, the changing opinions revealed in the Field Poll are being reflected on the public stage. Rep. Dennis Cardoza of Atwater (Merced County), a state superdelegate who had supported Clinton, recently announced he had switched loyalties and would support Obama. Even current Clinton backers, like Assemblywoman Loni Hancock of Berkeley - now running for state Senate - have publicly predicted that Obama, not Clinton, will be the party's presidential nominee.

Californians want a break
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the poll showed that "California and all of America is looking for a break from the same failed Bush policies that John McCain is offering. This fall voters will have a choice between the George Bush leadership that John McCain offers and Barack Obama's vision to fundamentally change this country."

Political observers say the poll results in California, a trendsetting state, are a blow to Clinton's dimming hopes of making a successful case to the superdelegates to swing to her side before the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.

"To the extent that California reflects a cross section of America, (the poll) demonstrates that the Democrats will have little trouble reuniting behind Obama in a campaign for the presidency in November," said Phil Trounstine, founder of San Jose State University's Survey and Policy Research Institute and a communications consultant and pollster who has donated to Obama's campaign. "It shows Hillary Clinton is no longer seen as the standard-bearer for the party; that role has now been taken over by Barack Obama. She's not big in the biggest state anymore, the biggest prize of all American politics."

But Clinton supporter David Rapaport of Palo Alto - one of dozens who wrote to The Chronicle this week insisting that they will stick by the former first lady - said polls and party leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, who has predicted the race will be over next week, will not put an end to the Clinton campaign. He said that the democratic process demands that the nomination play out, adding, "Let's hold the convention and not seal the fate in the House speaker's chambers - or elsewhere."

Other findings in the Field Poll:

-- Obama by far ranks higher than either Clinton or McCain in favorable-unfavorable ratings among likely state voters in November. He is seen favorably by 62 percent of California voters, compared with 29 percent who see him unfavorably. Clinton, by contrast has a 49-44 percent favorable-unfavorable rating, while McCain has a 46-45 percent favorable-unfavorable rating.

-- A majority of Democratic voters in California say that a "dream ticket" of Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama would increase their chances of supporting the party's ticket in the fall - but fewer Obama supporters favor the Clinton-Obama choice than Clinton supporters favor the Obama-Clinton choice.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points...'

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garyd, amherst, nh — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Just read the NYT story about Hillary's drinking. As one with a lot of experience in dealing with alcoholism and the personality traits usually associated with the disease I always wondered whether Hillary might have had a problem with alcohol. I'm not saying she is the behavior (not the drinking) would suggest maybe. Now, with the more obvious in your face drinking you have to wonder. So, is this who we want in the White House when the phone rings at 3AM. I think not ..... Hiccup! As far as the popular vote theory goes .... votes shouldn't count in contests that didn't count in the first place. I guess it all depends on the deinition of "is". Those Clintons .... what a great backdrop for a sitcom. "Those Clintons" .... They would be living in a small cape style house abutting the White House occupied by Obama of course ... "Those Clintons"....I'm laughing already!

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LRT - LA CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:11:33 GMT

Wexler?!? Wasn't he a big Clinton supporter back in the '90s? You couldn't turn to a channel without seeing that guys mug on the tube. Must be nice to make a buck without really working.

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John Veverka, Okemos, Michigan — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:11:59 GMT

What happened to the rules both canadates agreed to at the beginning of race? If the rules are not followed, they won't mean much for the future. If the DNC wants both MI and FL to be seated, then just give each camp 50% of the delegates and get on with it. For the Hillary camp to suggest that she should get all of MI delegates and Obama get none is just outrageous. The rules are the rules - stick to them.

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teek CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:12:08 GMT

Irrational Crazy Supporters
Crazy Pastors
Hillary Blogs
Obamas resume
Want to know the difference between Clinton and Obama supporters

This and more on…

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

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lauren, boulder, CO — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:12:18 GMT

I have to say that I think Ickes should be disqualified from participating in this process. Or we should put a member of the Obama campaign on the committee as a temporary appointee. Barring that, I hope that the entire process will be televised.

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Blake, Seattle, WA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:12:53 GMT

Should be an interesting day tomorrow.
A Dissertation on Disillusionment: http://blakeneven.blogspot.com

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what? — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:13:44 GMT

Just another ploy? The DNC is self destructing and the American people are the loser. The democratic party is nothing but a gang of self serving losers with out meaning. Fragmented doesn't even come close to a explanation.

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Tammy B Mishawaka, IN — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:14:40 GMT

Why are we doing this at all? Why do the rules get to change for Hillary? If she were in the lead and Obama were pulling this, she wouldn't even consider MI or FL. This is just Hillary having her way. Not one person that speaks for her campaign will answer why she keeps changing the numbers to make her the winner. First its the delegate and super delgate count, then its the popular vote, then it's just that she claims to be the stronger candidate. Hillary why do the rules only apply to everyone but you? You don't care about MI or FL, you just want the nominee! Get out!

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MSierra, SF — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:14:44 GMT

Can you say: 'Hand writing on the wall' ?

From Huff Post:

'...Ickes At The Alamo: Clinton's Delegate Counter Warns Of Defections At DNC Meeting

Thomas B. Edsall
The Huffington Post

The major dispute over the Florida and Michigan delegations to the Democratic convention in Denver has now boiled down to Hillary Clinton's demand for full seating with no sanctions, and an alternative proposal, likely to be backed by Obama, to seat the delegations with either half a vote granted to each delegate, or to cut each delegation in half.

The Clinton proposal -- which now faces tough, if not insurmountable, odds at the Saturday, May 31 meeting of the Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) - would give the New York Senator 55 more delegates than would go to Obama.

The alternative of either halved votes or halved delegations would net Clinton only 20 or so delegates, depending on the details. Obama could afford to concede a 20-plus delegate gain to Clinton without endangering his overall delegate advantage.

Harold Ickes, Clinton's chief delegate hunter, warned that there may be some defections among the 13 RBC members who have endorsed Hillary. If Ickes and his allies cannot hold all their troops in line, a motion before the RBC to seat all 210 Florida and 156 Michigan delegates with a full vote each would face certain defeat.

If defeated at the RBC on Saturday, the Clinton forces are expected to file an appeal to the Democratic convention credentials committee and possibly, failing that, to the full convention.

One of the publicly unstated reasons that Clinton is remaining in the race is to be positioned to step in immediately in the increasingly unlikely event that damaging new material emerges about Obama. In such an event, retaining the right to force pre-nomination fights over credentials becomes crucial to a delaying strategy to allow any conceivable controversy to gain momentum.

Clinton won the January primaries in Florida and Michigan, but the national party has stripped the two states of all delegates in punishment for holding primaries before February 5 in violation of party rules.

On the RBC, there are a total of 28 voting members, along with two co-chairs who can vote only in the event of a tie. To win, then, Clinton needs at least 15 votes, or, if both co-chairs cast ballots, 16 votes.

Those numbers appear increasingly hard to reach, especially after Democratic National Committee lawyers issued a ruling earlier this week that the RBC does not have the power to fully reinstate the two disputed delegations. The Clinton forces contend that the DNC ruling is wrong.

Ickes argued that all is not lost as the RBC session fast approaches. One of the recognized experts in party rules, Ickes said a number of the RBC members have been misinformed about the rules governing the powers of the committee, and he intends to correct the situation before the votes are taken starting on Saturday afternoon.

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fed up in Sterling Heights MICHIGAN — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:14:51 GMT

I am happy to see Bonior as a Obama rep. HE knows first hand how the Michigan Democratic party is to blame for the Michigan voters being disinfranchised. I DID NOT vote in the primary because the candidates that were my choices WERE NOT ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE THEY FOLLOWED The RULES...SGINED AND AGREED TO.

Enough of this ridiculous behavior and grasping at straws by Billary. If SHE was winning the delegate count, WOULD CHANGING THE RULES BE CONSIDERED???? I think NOT!
Let's settle this quickly and get on to defeating McCAIN

and on a sidebar...Rep Debbie Wasserman(FL) should really stop the whining..it is sooo unbecoming..NOT ALL WOMEN WANT HILLARY so Debbie, shut your piehole!

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James Tn — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:16:56 GMT

The Clintons are done....Pelosi will bring this to a end on Wednesday of next week........Have faith people...The Clintons are steeling anything....Facts are facts...You can dance around them but you cant change them especially when evryone can see them...

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:17:27 GMT

Hilly already has one of her campaign advisors on the commitity.Harold Eckie .the very person along with another hilly advisor,Terry Mccaullif,they where the D,N,C, leaders that advocated for the two states to be striped if they moved there date.The same two who are now saying we should pay no attention to rules,that rules don;t matter,unless they are in favor of the person they represent.Washinton old school backroom politics,at its worse.No class,No clue.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Diane M — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:17:27 GMT

Well let's see, they have Ickes on the committee and another member of their campaign, so why do they need additional representation?

How can they be allowed to sit on the committee, isn't this a conflict of interest?

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Jackie Morris Seattle White Woman — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:17:47 GMT

It's all good, as long as the Clinton's are happy -is what it sounds like. Everything that white Catholic Father said was/is true! I would still go to mass if he was there!

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Closer to the Truth — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:18:26 GMT

According to web Reports, former Sec. of State Warren Christopher will represent Team Clinton since he has experience from the 2000 Florida election debacle of Gore v. Bush

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Stone Sanderson, San Jose CA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:18:54 GMT

McCain cloaks himself in a lot of cheap political rhetoric because he doesn't really want to get down and dirty with Obama on the issues. He just keeps saying the same thing over and over again and has cornered the market on acting indignant and affronted.

Just watch him in the months ahead.
Lisa, New Britain, CT Passionate about Obama

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Oh now this is rich. You're accussing McCain of 'cheap political rhetoric'? My gosh, Obama's entire campaign is BUILT on cheap political rhetoric. Obama has yet to make a policy statement that anyone can understand. It's Obama that keeps repeating 'Hope and Change'. What hope is he talking about, and what change does he intend to bring? No one knows, because he won't say.

McCain has a solid record of accomplishments and a concrete vision for the future. Obama has no record of accomplishment and only abstract touchy-feely rhetoric.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Richard, Chattanooga — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:19:13 GMT

OK, I guess Hell will freeze over before any candidates agree not to campaign somewhere in the future. Whatever the outcome on Saturday, Clingon has already destroyed the DNC's authority to punish a state for not following the rules. The State's themselves will just have to figure out if the potential loss of delegates is outweighed by the increased pubicity and influence gained by the popular vote totals, which will be even more pronounced with everyone on the ballot and actively campaigning despite what the DNC says.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Mike Sullivan, Silver Spring, Md — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:19:22 GMT

Good,
These two guys are sharp and no the rules!!
Why doesn't Clinton hire Geraldine Ferraro, she could then scream, 'yeah but he is black'!

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Gregory Adams, Washington, DC — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:19:45 GMT

Senator Clinton declared some time ago that her race for the White House would be sucessfully completed on Super Tuesday. This would indicate she cared little about the voters in states slated to go to the polls afterward. How is one to adequately judge her sincerity regarding the voters of Florida and Michigan?

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

JP, milltown, nj — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:20:08 GMT

clinton camp will use hans christian anderson for florida and tonya harding for mich.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Pat huntington ny — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:20:11 GMT

I understand that the DNC can make its own rules regarding primary priority, but will someone please explain to me what was the big deal that Florida and Michigan held their primaries when they did? I know, there was a rule barring them from doing so, but what was the basis for the rule? Was it some arbitrary thing?

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

PAT, RICHMOND VA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:20:44 GMT

Good choices. I am glad that the Obama campaign is treating this as a business meeting (which it is) rather than a demonstration.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Bryan, Houston, TX — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:20:56 GMT

Even if the Clinton camp wins a full seating for Fl and Michigan, this is still silly. Barack will need more superdelegates, but it is not a game changer. If you count the caucus states (just like counting Michigan), then Barack still leads in delegates of all types, popular vote and states won. There is NO metric by which Senator Clinton can demonstrate that she has won the nomination. Nominees are determined by delegates won not electability. Certainly, there is an electability component that is given to super D's, but it is not determinative of who the nominee will be. After the voting next week, the reality is simply that by the metrics by which nominees are chosen, Barack Obama is the most likely nominee. Period. End of story. No amount of electability deserves any merit in the determination.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

bill, okla — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:21:19 GMT

Watch out for flying geritol bottles from Silly Hillie's ochestrated mob of former bra burners who she's sadly lathered up out of her own resentfulness. They should be proud of her accomplishment to come this far even if Hillie feels unstroked. Holding onto the resent she harbors instead of hope won't help them.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Going against the grain — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:22:50 GMT

Catholic priest Pfleger offers to represent team Clinton to make the case that Hillary is "white and is entitled.... There’s a black man stealing [her] show!"

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

R.L.., NJ — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:24:13 GMT

This whole situation stinks on ice. It's disgusting how manipulative and passive/agressive the HRC group is being with this. You want to show people you have integrity and are *worth* our time and votes, stand up, make your supporters proud and be straight with them and yourself. "Yes, we agreed and signed off on the punishment, and now, even though it may cost me personally, it's the right thing to do" would go MUCH further than everytime someone votes for someone other than HRC it now becomes "well obviously they're sexist". People aren't against her because she's a woman... people are against her because she's a selfish, manipulative, self-righteous individual who will end up ruining this nation's attitude for years to come. The damage has already been done.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Nj — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:25:16 GMT

Of course Clinton doesnt have a rep.
She waits till 1 minute before hand to plan like she did with her campaign.

Quote Of The Week »

"I personally did not think it made any difference whether my name was on the ballot. You know, It's clear this election they are having is not going to count for anything."
Hillary Clinton, before the MI primary
"I have consistently said that the votes cast in Florida and Michigan in January should be counted. "
Hillary Clinton, after the MI primary

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Todd, NC — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:25:48 GMT

Oh Wow!!! Can you believe it, that there is actually a non-clinton supporter going to be in attendance at this meeting.. I guess its like they say.. IGNORANT people do IGNORANT things..

We all know that the CLINTON campaign will only be satisfied with the Committee's decision if it heavily favors them.

So of course she will be appealing the decision.. which I am sure she will probably wait until July, so that she has the excuse to take it to the convention..

And Obama is experience challlenged? Who looks like the unruley rookie, like a whining little kid now... so unprofessional.. they are protesting a frickin rules committee meeting to stick up for their candidate of choice to get a favorable judgement in two states she agreed to disregard PRIOR to her realizing that she was going to loose this race that was handed to her..

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD BE SCARED OF!! A candidate that claims to be so strong and experienced but underestimated an opponent that has now made a dog fight of this race and is about to pull a major upset.

What a commander-in-chief she would make. Under estimating all of our enemies and then the American people have to pay the price for her arrogance.. We already have that in George Bush and McCain..

Can a Clinton supporter please explain why your candidate had no strategy set after SUPER TUESDAY?

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Back Fired, LOL — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:26:21 GMT

What a waste. A hand full of people twisted the rules. Ah, the basic context of their party. "If it is not self serving change it"! Fantastic, it back fired! A idiot set the path, so why all the crying. One should not pray for man made miracles. Because the DNC is self serving.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Jim B — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:29:00 GMT

Hillary should have Geraldine Ferraro represent. Geraldine could describe how in 1944, when she was eight years old, her father was arrested and charged with operating a numbers racket. This life experience may help in making the numbers go Hillary's way...If not I guess they could always threaten to break their knee caps!

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

MI Chick — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:29:58 GMT

"All of you who trash talk Clinton were probably not even old enough in the 90's to understand what kind of world we lived in then. "

Uh, yeah I was. I remember her condescension then. I remember his lies. I remember Whitewater and Vince Foster. How about you?

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Dave, Tn — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:30:28 GMT

I got a better deal for Florida and Mi. Give every man woman & child in Florida $1000 a head to vote for drilling off shore. After all that is the way our government functions right? No greater good anymore just how much is my self respect worth. As for MI end your one state depression and throw out all Liberals who control you before it's too late to come back.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

fed up in Sterling Heights MICHIGAN — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:30:46 GMT

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Terry, Great Plains — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:31:01 GMT

Good choices for Obama. My view it will not matter. Any out come less than 100% sitting of both delegations with no reduction in voting power will not be acceptable to Hillary" Janus" Clinton and she will appeal to the convention. I understand Ickes will represent her case. Perfect choice he agrees to punish FL and MI and now that Hillary needs the votes he changes his tune. No credibilty. Also the so called protestors of Hillary are coming from her orgainized volunteers. Hillary and Bill care only about themselves they want the popular vote( on their math only, no caucus's count, no Michigan votes count and Puerto Rico is treated as a state against Obama)counted as a key fact to elect her. Though the only rule is elected delegates. If the SD's overturn the delegate lead then good luck in November Hillary. McCain in a landslide.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

Kay in Kirkland, WA — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:32:01 GMT

I have no faith in the DNC or their rules and bylaws committee. They are so at fault for letting this situation evolve. What a way to kill the enthusiasm for this election. Meanwhile, McDumb just keeps pushing on with his same old politics.
Go Obama <08.

Wexler, Bonior to represent Obama team

H.Pelletier — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:33:03 GMT

Why are we so excited about this meeting? The Clintons think they are above the decisions of any meeting of Dem. Party leaders. On Sunday, they will just change the rules, move the finish line, and claim they still have a chance. As long as they hang on and claim sexism, their supporters will remain in defiance of the party's obvious candidate-Obama. It is becoming obvious that her intention is to damage Obamas general election chances-She's thinking Hillary 2012. I am a woman and a committed Democrat. I want her suspend her campaign and let us get on with beating McBush. The party is not the Clinton's-Obama has given it back to the people.