Clinton’s like Huckabee with better math skills.

David,
You can definitely tell by Hillary’s tone and her constant pushing of the subject that she will do just about anything to get Michigan and Florida a do over. Well within her reason that is. She wouldn’t want anything that’ll help Obama obviously!

But for me I hope that neither state gets a do over. They should have followed the rules just like every body else. Now they want to cry about it because they think they’ll be the ones who really get to pick the nominee. Better luck next time I say!

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Why Obama is still in the running is amazing. He has lied so many times and the MSM just brushes it off. Since his racist pastor,mentor and advisor, Obama has been on every show trying to smooth things over. He is a hypocrite and his speech was not equavalent to Lincoln. The media makes things up as this goes along. Unbelievabla. I pray to God everyday that this man does not end up as our president. He is a fraud and a liar. Hillary may have baggage but so does Obama and he is racking it up fast and he is just starting. With friends like Obama you don’t need enemies.

It will not matter who wins the nomination if Florida and Mich. are not seated. As a past precinct Chairman in Texas, you need local vounteers to get out the right voters. There will be a lot of resentment and force the DNC to man those states, You are basically playing into Republican hands.

Bob

David,
It might seem unfair to Obama supporters if the Superdelegates, after all is said and done, overwhelmingly decide that Hillary IS the more electible candidate even if Obama has only a slight lead (but still has not reached that majic number at the end) in pledged delegates.

BUT THAT is the point of having the super delegates in the first place, regular folks cannot decide what is best for the party (obviously) so the system of knowledgeable, cool- headed, and more REASONABLE super-duper delegates was created.

It IS the job of the supers to take a BIG PICTURE look at the entire race (election). They will quitely speak out at the end that one of the two candidates has THE BEST chance against the republican candidate. Not who has 10 more pledged delegates after the crazy counting is all done, because this has really been an exercise in futility…neither one will have REQUIRED number of pledged delegates.
It will sting! It will cause chaos! We will hear an overt out-cry of how ‘unfair’ it is… BUT the super delegates will have to decide what the most important issue is… “Do we play the…. he/she is a couple of votes ahead but not quite there so, ah heck, let’s just say he/she won anyway…” OR do they take their J.O.B. seriously and side with the candidate that has THE BEST chance to give the Dems the control of the White House.
My opinion is… the supers know what they must do at the end….they also are quiet now, because they know how difficult and painful it will be for some… BUT it must be done.

David,

To be very honest, I am very confused. But I do think it is getting harder and harder for Hillary to win the nominaton.

I just dont understand why everybody, including the political pundits are so easy on Obama and so harsh and critical towards Hillary?

Hi Media,
Hillary and McCain are too “OLD”. They do not have any new ideas. They are talking about a DO_OVER. You cannot teach an old dog any new tricks or ideas. It’s like the Gambler, even he knows when to walk away.

A good question is not only how do we fix this mess this time around, but how can we prevent this from happening again in the future? The democratic primary process is much like the BCS bowl system in college football – overly complicated and impossible to monitor without the help of experts. This process needs to be completely overhauled. How about a system that is clear, transparent, easy to understand, simple to track the score, and doesn’t take 15 months and hundreds of millions of dollars to play out? That would encourage even more people to enter the process.

David,

You point to Crist and the Republican legislature for the Democratic primary woes of Florida. However, it’s my understanding that the bill to move the primary, against DNC rules, was sponsored by a Democrat and was passed by near unanimous votes from both sides of the aisle.

David, Jacksonville, NC

If the deligates do not count in Florida or Michigan, does the popular vote count?

Angela,

What news broadcasts do you typically watch? I only ask because every channel that I turn on that covers politics is playing the Pastor Wright propaganda loop 24/7.

This isn’t exactly favoring Obama.

: )

Ok, unless I’m a complete idiot I’m really having a hard time understanding the problem here.

FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN BROKE THE RULES! They knew what was at stake for their voters so WHY would they KNOWINGLY STILL BREAK THE RULES? It sucks that the voters have to suffer for a mistake that wasn’t theirs but RULES ARE RULES! This is ridiculous. The rules were broken so they have to now pay the price.

And I question Hillary’s veracity for getting this resolved. When she was leading in the polls Florida and Michigan’s votes “didn’t matter” to her but now they’re so important? She’s not concerned about disenfranchising her constituents, she just knows she needs the numbers. It would NOT BE FAIR to count votes in Michigan when your opponent wasn’t even on the ballot. Of course you won, you ran UNOPPOSED! This is a fact – whether I support her or not is inconsequential.

Angela,
Everybody is harsh on OBAMA not Hillary including the pundits. Hillary has it easy since SNL drama. Obama has been harrashed by all the network inclucing CNN (Clinton News Network). Why they so called pundits not asking for clinton library’s donor list. Library costs millions of dollar and why would people donate without not getting something in return. Why MSM is not doing reserach on PAUL Vs Clinton lawsuite? If you do some research on this case you will find out how screwed up Hillary is?

There’s an insane illusion being proffered by Clinton fans that somehow Michigan and Florida are “victims” of the tyranny of the Democratic Party. This ludicrous posturing seeks desperately to confuse the uninformed. So here’s the facts: Both states were told the consequences of their actions BEFORE they decided to go “rogue” and unilaterally change their primary dates. No one “took away” their right to anything. Only a Clinton supporter would frame their consequences as anything other than precisely what was deserved. I resent CNN for feeding this illusion by presenting it as anything other than what it is: emotional smokescreen serving one purpose only: votes for Billary. It’s enough that the Clintons will do anything to win, but when the media aids their masquerade it’s pathetic.

Is Hilary crying again? She got herself into this mess by supporting early elections in those states – now that it has backfired she is crying a river. This isn’t grade school. She is turning this whole election process into a circus – not a quality I admire in a commander in cheif.

Understood that MI and FL broke rules, but those rules were broken by ‘higher ups’ not the voting public . . . democracy should come first and if there is any fix to be had to let the PEOPLE vote – then so be it!!!

If everyone’s vote counting means Obama loses then that’s appropriate – for him to win because two states are ‘punished’ is sad at best . . .

First of all it is not right to give few states the choice to select the nominees for all of us. Each state should be able to do the primaries whenever they want. So I think it was right for FL & MI to move up. If I were a democratic voter of FL or MI, and if my primary votes are not counted now, will vote for McCain come November.

David Gergin and Anderson Cooper are the two most objective analyst/reports on television today. In fact, I think CNN should give David Gergin his own show.

Good or bad for any of the candidates, both seem to fairly tell it like it is and not get lost in their own opinions like too many others. They are definitely a dying breed on T.V. today and both should be commended.

Hi David,
Do you think 360 could play that Audacity to Hope sermon that Obama first heard, and which attracted him to Trinity? The audio and text of the sermon are widely available online now. Since that’s one sermon he was definitely present for, and definitely had an impact on him…. it seems only fair that you should play that on a continuous loop. Thanks!

What I find interesting is her blatant misrepresentation of Obama’s position. He has said that he would be for a Michigan re-vote, so long as those Democrats who voted in the primary as Republicans would have the opportunity to vote. Recall that Dems were told their vote wouldn’t count, so many voted in the Republican primary, while Hilary supporters were “counseled” to stay Democrats.

In addition, Hillary’s speech never made reference to the fact that even before she arrived in Michigan to fire off flaming accusations, the state has already decided. The decision was never up to Obama.

Whoever I support in the general is still up for grabs, but increasingly, I’m disappointed at her misleading statements and innuendo. Oh, and where are those tax returns? I guess she doesn’t want us to know where, exactly she GOT that 5Million she loaned (gave) her campaign.

I didn’t know where to find the article I read last night with so many comments from your viewers very unpleased about CNN and Hillary Clinton during her husband’s affairs. I was beginning to think you were really trusted and then I see that I am not the only person who thinks you are biased. For example, CNN was recently criticized for being soft towards Obama but not Hillary. I also notice that your adds will post a question like: Will you vote for Obama, then another question starting with letter “W” then the third ad asks about Hillary. If you are supposed to alphabetize, you certainly didn’t. This has to do with the fact that we don’t care for those adds (at least I don’t) but the name Obama comes up first. CNN is pushing so much for Obama. You give him more attention, and maybe its not about Obama, its about a racial issue (yes I’m accusing you of racism) that you want an African-American to win the nomination because he is not as seasoned as Hillary and his arguments are less intelligent siding on the part of the brain that has to do with imagination rather than the facts. Perhaps CNN is owned or directed by white men who want to get Barack Obama up against McCain so that the white man remains governing. Either way, maybe you don’t care so much for what I say and you protect yourselves from posting real comments, but I own a small business and every customer counts and it seems your siding with one candidate does not get overlooked by most of us.

David, please explain to people that are criticizing Hillary on NAFTA what your true impression was during the Clinton Administration……PLEASE.

This is sooooooo sad….had Obama not tried to hide his pastor, Hillary would have the nomination already. I will be happily voting for McCain if Hillary can’t pull this off……I just can’t take another 4 years of inexperience and fumbles……learning on the job is not what this country needs right now, we’ve had 7 years of that already…….We are such foolish people…..

If either of these states are “allowed” to have a re-vote, what will happen to states that opt to defy the party during the next presidential election? The precedent set by giving these states a “pass” for disobeying the party seems likely to come back to haunt everyone later. Why have their been no stories about this?

It’s not that they are easy on him but she is doing all these Wiley Coyote stunts to trap him and they bomb in her face. It’s like the debate when she tried to trap him with the denounce reject thing: trying to make an issue where there is none. She just keeps backfiring. It’s not Obama who kills her efforts. SHE kills her own.

Right on, David! You are one of the few media figures who is willing to expose the skeletons in the closet. I agree it is highly possible the whole Florida, Michigan mess was cooked up by Clinton strategists as a back-up plan. Those folks should play chess…maybe that’s how they got their strategic chops. If all we were looking for were great strategists then the Clintons would be our “guys”. They know how to win elections.

The problem is we need a diplomat and humanitarian with the ability to think outside the Washington box in the White house these next four years. Obama is a brilliant man, a righteous, thoughtful, articulate person who does love this country and the people of this country. Does it matter if he is black, brown, white or green? Folks who fear a black president need to ask themselves what they are really afraid of.

Blessings!

It doesn’t take a manipulative, conniving, lying mind like Hillary’s to realize that neither Florida or Michigan is going to hand the presidency over to the Rep because they are mad at Obama. Hillary nobody loves you that much. This election is about Dems vs Rep, not Hillary vs Obama. When the primaries are over, everybody will forget about the immature, childish, campaign you are running and think about the real issues when they vote. The Florida and Michigan voters are not going to spite themselves because of you or Obama. Voting for a Rep. (unless you agree with the current administration) would only hurt the voter and their family. This is another one of your childish, manipulative pranks on the American people. We’re not as stupid as you think we are.

The rest of the world is either confused or laughing. The US wants to spread democracy around the world, and can’t even hold elections in their own country.

Do your foreign election overseers approve of the leaders of other countries disenfranchising whole states? Would they consider such actions to be ‘democratic’?

Whatever the advantage to either candidate, the optics from an international perspective are really, really bad if Michigan and Florida are not allowed to hold votes that count.

(And yes, I realize that this is a Party thing, not a general election.)

why did they not want to count the Florida and Michigan delegates in the first place anyway?It’s not Obama’ fault, the rules are the rule, his name was not even on the ballot in the first place anyway. I think Obama will win Michigan if they have a revote but I don’t know about Florida

to Angela –
I’ve been wondering myself why Obama has had such an easy ride and Hillary has been vilified. I half expect Obama to levitate during one of his talks because of the undying adoration. I do think the issue of Wright is much worse than the media wants to believe. Perhaps it was “political positioning” again on BO’s part.
I only hope that it isn’t too late for the Democratic party.
And lest anyone forget – Obama campaigned in Michigan too.

Why does everyone think the media is so harsh and critical on Hillary?

She provided/started a lot of the early division between her and Obama in the campaign… directly in the face of what the DNC asked both not to do. When she had the “losing streak” and unprepared judgment after super Tuesday because she thought a nomination was in the bag for her, she began resorting to below the belt tactics…

oswanegan, Atlanta, GA

David,

I’m confused, but not about how Clinton can grab the nomination, but rather how she is not be handed it. A former Obama supporter, I am not only disillusioned, disgusted and heart sick, but furious! If the wright story and every disgusting thing said had been aimed at the african-american population, you can bet your white arse that the blacks would have insisted the ‘white’ presidential hopeful step down!

Response to Angela, you are right the political pundits have been pretty hard on Hillary, she may not win the nomination, but Obama will never beat McCain, you will see the republicans come out of the woodwork I would be willing to bet he will win by quite a big margin, I am voting for Hillary . I work at a big hospital in southeastern Penna. there are many people I have heard saying they are voting for McCain it is quite a large number, some for Obama and Hillary but mostly for McCain. I think if Hillary and Obama ran together they would beat the pants off of the republicans. Dawn

1. Democracy is literally “rule by the people”.

2. People in power screwed up MI and FL; not the people.

3. People must be allowed to vote. Otherwise, we’re no different thatn a third world country with corrupt politician running things.

The one constant in this primary process is the way Hillary does and says anything to get the nomination. She signed a letter stating that her campaign would follow the rules and that those two states’ votes would not count. She went on a radion station saying the same thing. Now, as if no one will do their homework or remember she said those things, she’s so concerned with the voters in those two states. I truly believe that she is implementing a “scorched earth” campaign and hurting the dems chances for November. She’s said that John M is better prepared than Obama, she’s now basically saying that if the votes in Mich and Fl aren’t counted then they could alter the election in November.

I’m now wondering if she’s looking at this as an “all-or-nothing” effort. If she wins, she’s president. If she loses the primary then Obama will be so bloodied that he’ll lose in November and she can run again in 4 short years.

Sad, sad……

David

I honestly, sincerely, and deeply believe if Obama was behind as many delegates and as many votes the conversation would be more about the pressure on him to drop out. Clintons “Firewall” being Ohio and Texas. Let’s look at it without bias… She barely won Ohio thanks to much controversy namely that being trying to undermine Obama’s NAFTA position, she won the Texas primary but Obama left Texas with more delegates. The woman is DESPERATE she should have left the race for the White House 4-5 weeks ago after “Super Tuesday.” It is IMPOSSIBLE for her to get more delegates or a lead in the popular vote. Check this websites poll to make it more convincing! She is qualified but she is behind, she is passionate but she is also divisive, she is a woman but the wrong woman at the wrong time, with the wrong baggage, and the wrong “hard headed” persistence!

Hi Angela,

I think the pundits see Hillary as a person who would do “anything” to get elected. I think it is clear that this is the case. Don’t get me wrong. I think she is smart and tenacious. But, to many, she represents “old school” politics….”dirty politics”.

Say what you want about Obama and his credibility issue related to his pastor Wright. But he comes out and confronts issues head-on. He takes a risk in not “disowning” pastor Wright. And I respect him for that because it is deeply personal and honest.

Name a politician who has done anything remotely close to what he did on Tuesday.

And so i think pundits are taken aback by this. Many of them found it incredibly refreshing….as cynical as they are. Now that’s change!

David Blackburn, that’s only partially correct. It was a Democrat who came up with the idea, it was the Republicans who bundled the measure into a can’t miss vote: lowering property taxes.

When this controversy first broke, long before I had decided which candidate to support, I thought it was very foolish for the DNC to strip these states of their delegates. The Democrats cannot afford to lose MI and FL in November. Is the DNC ready to lose the White House over this issue?

Of course Clinton is fighting for it because she won most of the delegates, and Obama is against it because it could put her ahead of him. But you can bet that if the situation were reversed, Obama would be all for seating the delegates one way or another.

Saying “she will do anything to get the nomination” implies that fighting to give her voters a voice is somehow dishonorable or illegal. Listen to the PEOPLE in those states. They are really mad and threatening to leave the Democratic party and stay home in November. That is a disaster in the making for the Democratic nominee whoever gets it. If Obama gets the nomination because these states were not included in the nominating process, he will lose in November and that is not good for him, for Democrats, and especially for African Americans. African Americans cannot afford to have Obama nominated and lose in the general election because the DNC made a stupid call last year. Sticking to the rules just because they are rules is going to cost the Democrats the White House in November and probably for the next 8 years.

I must agree with Angela. I am from Canada and when I watch the American pundits talk I notice this partiality towards Obama. Obama seems to be everyone’s golden boy, and the American media does seem more critical towards Hilary Clinton.

I do not support either candidate. This is an very interesting race after a very long time and it is fun to watch. But I would hate to think the media is partial towards one candidate for some reason.

I am having a hard time understanding why everyone talks as if the DNC, the candidates or someone else has wronged the people of Michigan and Florida. Their legislatures have done this to them. Its like someone being told if you steal, you go to jail and after they do it, forgetting totally about their act.

The bottom line is Florida and Michigan made their bed and need to stop the whining. Why not call it what it is. Hillary is trying to re-write history and the press allows it. I know its because everyone loves a good fight, but my god, where is the self-integrity in all of this.

The political pundits want McCain to win in November.

Well said, David. You are a sober and reasoning voice.

The political landscape has changed today, a day after Obama’s brilliant speech on race. Perhaps more superdegates are more convinced than ever that Obama is their pick.

The debate itself has already shifted to the general election issue: war, poverty, in addition to race. I don’t see how Clinton has any share on this platform. She is soon going to be yesterday. Yet fights are still ahead. More fiercing she is, more wounded she’ll be.

Thank you, David for writing such an objective report of the situation – I do not think you are favoring any candidate – this is the way it is. All Democrats should be concerned about splitting the party – that only spells victory for McCain.

Obama is his own worst enemy. He needs to shut his mouth. I feel so bad for his poor ole white grandma, I will bet you money that poor old woman didn’t know she was a racist. But by Obama’s standards she is a “typical white person”. Those are Obama’s words not mine, they were uttered by him on a radio station. And I quote:

610 WIP host Angelo Cataldi asked Obama about his Tuesday morning speech on race at the National Constitution Center in which he referenced his own white grandmother and her prejudice. Obama told Cataldi that “The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity, but that she is a typical white person. If she sees somebody on the street that she doesn’t know (pause) there’s a reaction in her that doesn’t go away and it comes out in the wrong way.”

I guess I am a atypical white person, but any more I don’t know if that is good or bad. I resent his characterization, I resent his labels, I resent his lectures to me on race when it is obvious to me that he has his own issues with race. I resent him, in fact. And I don’t want him to be my President. And I am one who will definitely vote for John McCain in the fall if he is my only other choice.

WHO DISINFRANCHISED FLORDIA DEMOCRATS? FLORIDA DEMOCRATS.

George Orwell once noted that ”he who controls the present, controls the past.“ In the debate over the Florida primary, the actual past is under heavy revision. The Orwellian version is that Florida’s predicament is the fault of anyone except Florida itself – blame the DNC, the republican governor, Obama, whoever. The truth is that Florida, with broad bipartisan support and full knowledge of the consequences, unapologetically tried to game the system.

Florida’s primary date was set by the legislature in House Bill 537. It wasn’t a partisan split, with a vote of 115-1 in the House and 37-2 in the Senate. By the way, if ”537“ sounds familiar, the 2000 election in Florida was decided by – 537 votes. Here’s what Florida Democrats said before, during, and after passage:

• Before passage, Democratic spokesman Mark Bubriski said ”Florida Democrats are all for it.“ Staff analysis hinted that ”a threatened reduction in delegates is merely a bluff.“
• After passage, Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, now an outspoken critic of the DNC action, stated that the national party wouldn’t want to be in ”the position where it is taking away the people’s right.“
• Jeremy Ring, the Democratic Florida state Senator who sponsored a similar Senate bill, was unapologetic when Florida was stripped of its delegates. ”I think we have successfully blown up this antiquated primary process . . . I have no regrets.“
• Likewise, Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz reacted by noting that rather than risking the wrath of Florida voters, the presumptive nominee (oops – there isn’t one) would ensure that the delegation was seated.
• Steve Geller, also a Democratic legislator, stated that if candidates ”choose not to campaign here and lose? Not our problem.“

Florida Democrats knew the risks and consequences, and chose to cast their state as more equal than the rest. What should happen now? First and foremost, Florida voters should vote out the 152 legislators who gambled with their constiuent’s votes as chips. Second, the DNC can invoke a 50% delegate penalty rather than a 100% penalty. That decision would still disenfranchise some, but is probably the best among the options.

Finally, in the future, Florida must prove that it can carry out the simple governmental task of correctly holding elections. Florida’s citizens, and the country, deserve no less.

“Election by election, state by stae, precinct by precinct, door by door, vote by vote…we’re going to lift our party up and take this country back for the people who built it.”

Governer Howard Dean

I guess he forgot to say “except Florida and Michigan voters” when he made that statement.

SEAT THE FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN DELEGATES!

Obama is not electable. He was too close to an anti-American for 20 years. His political life did end with a bad choise of a spiritual adviser who is full of hate.

Funny Jen thinks Obama has more baggage than Hillary! But, this is all academic. Wright rippled dies down and the issues come back up, Obama looks like he did before. If he wins the states he’s supposed to from here on out, then the super’s come around. He will, did you see the crowds on AC260 last night for Obama? If he does in fact lose significantly where he should have won, then maybe the super’s need to do some thinking. But I think this Wright thing comes down to a specific thing, assuming that Obama can deflect the patriotism question and keep it about bad comments. So the Repubs will look very bad digging into this and would have a hard time not coming off badly. However, If people like Jen don’t think the Repubs have a list a mile long to hit Clinton’s on, they are delusional. They will “kill Bill” on the Kazakhs and pardons and Hillary’s roles on and on an on …

David–

I appreciate your always even-handed analysis. I am wondering if you are planning to react to the recent revelations made in Senator Clinton’s schedule that was recently released; namely, that she hosted several pro-NAFTA events as First Lady, where she apparently stating that the program was going to be good for the economy, etc.

How does this correspond with your earlier statements that she was against NAFTA behind closed doors? I take you at your word, but doesn’t this discrepancy unto itself suggest issues with the credibility of Senator Clinton as a political figure (i.e., she secretly disagrees with policy X, but publicly pushes for it due to political expediency, etc)? Doesn’t this speak to the very core of the trustworthiness America is yearning for in our next President?

Thanks for your time.

They are all trying to bring about a “war” .if who they want elected is not elected. If Hillary gets elected the it is because everyone “snowballed” him or every one is a racist. They are all saying Obama has to win or else! this is wrong. Superdeligates should not be pressured into voting for Obama, that’s just wrong.

The issue here is integrity & NOT what the Reverend Wright (Mr. Obamas’ “spiritual advisor” for 20+ years) said.

We live in the America, where we are free to say what our conscience dictates & our beliefs foreshadow. Where Mr. Obama falls short is that he is saying that he was / is NEVER aware of Reverend Wrights’ opinions, doctrine & standings. GET REAL ! This was the preacher who married him, baptized his daughters & has been his spiritual beacon for almost a quarter of a century.

For Mr. Obama to turn a “blind-eye” now is just a FALSEHOOD, lack of integrity & a character flaw which cannot be overlooked.

There are many Caucasian “God fearing preachers” who have also said inflammatory comments such as the Reverend Wright, however you DON’T see Ms. Clinton or Mr. McCain making open decisions to have them as close family friends & spiritual advisors. THIS WAS & STILL IS MR. OBAMAS’ CHOICE to remain close to the Reverend Wright.

Mr. Obama has always claimed he will never “pander” to the race card & agenda when he is doing that exactly by not forsaking and totally TURNING from the Reverend Wright. In doing so, he risks alienating the African American voice which he has needed to carry many of his state victories.

Also, as we scrutinize Mr. Obamas’ state victories LETS GET REAL. He’s had victories in such states as Utah, Idaho, Montana just to name a few. It’ll be a “COLD DAY IN HELL” before these states vote in a general election for a Democratic Presidential Candidate. History has proven this.

Mr. Obama is also dragging his feet in supporting re-votes in MI & FL hoping they will either NOT be counted or go to caucuses. He has done SO WELL in caucuses for the fact that the average age of his supporters are younger & more gregarious in their tenacity for caucus’ style primaries while the PIVITAL states that are essential for the Democrats to win in November 2008 have ALL been carried by Ms. Clinton.

WAKE UP DEMS………..

Well said David, but as soon as we take the blinders away from our eyes we see clearly that all natural circumstances are falling in favor of ‘Obama’, and you know why, because he is being naturally a ‘Visionary’, and that is why he is so cool, and that is why his chances getting the nomination is so strong. Clinton team seems to be extremely frustrated, they see their end in weeks.

Go ‘Obama’ go!

A.M. Saqib
houston, Texas

I’m not concerned about a re-do in those states that would diminish my vote in my state. Play by the rules and don’t try and disenfranchise us in the process. As for Clinton supporters, you need to think long and hard. Any democrat needs the vote of African Americans to win in November. Are you willing to cut off one arm to save the other? This doesn’t make sense. Whether you like the reality or not, you are going to tear this party apart and perhaps the country. Just please put your emotions aside and use your brains. thanks for listening.

David – I don’t see the bottom dropping out of Obama’s support as bad. People were voting on him before this Wright mess came to light. He did a great job of trying to change the subject on Tuesday, but the truth is he sat in this bigot’s church and listened to that hatred and venom for 20 years without speaking up. Not exactly the kind of courage and judgement I want in my President.

David, I totally disagree with you that it would be an unappealing scenario if Obama’s candidacy tanks because of the Rev Wright issue. I think that she will win convincingly in Pennsylvania & West Virginia, & the polls show that she is rapidly gaining ground in North Carolina. I believe that this trend will also include Indiana, & that she will ultimately win all of these late primaries, possibly by large margins. No amount of eloquent/articulate/moving/well-written speeches can explain away why any enlightened viable candidate would willingly associate with such a racist, extremist, hateful preacher. So, I again totally disagree that Americans with an “elevated” view of our country will “shudder” as this unfolds, because Obama demonstrated extremely poor judgement and an extremely unenlightened view of America by following such an individual for so many years.

As much as I like both Clinton abd Obama, as a Florida voter and registered democrat who voted on that day, I am very “disenfranchised”. In Florida there was another item on the ballot that day so those who say that they didn’t vote because they didn’t think it would count are just making an excuse. It is and invalid argument. These are the same folks that probably never turn out anyway.

If these votes are not counted in their original numbers, I am left with a choice. Either not vote at all since my first one didn’t count OR vote for MCcain to speak VERY LOUDLY to the democratic bosses. Many folks here feel the same.

We also feel that this was our Republican Governor’s BAD choice and we should not have to be punished for that. I personally feel that this was nothing but strategy on the republican’s part to put egg on the face of democrats …yet again. How can they lead a nation if they can’t even get an election right.

Good going DNC!!!!….Great way to just “hand it over” to McCain and the RNC!

Hey Penny, you sound crazy, Mccain is too old at 72 but Hillary at 60 is not. It’s only a 4 year term (maybe 2 terms). And to say they don’t have any new ideas – you sound uneducated. Everything Hillary wants to do is for YOU and US and it’s all new ideas. God, what do you want – You probably wouldn’t be happy if the Hung you with a New rope. I mean really, if you are not looking for “college tuition help”, or “health care for everyone”, or “cleaner air”, or “alternative energy”, or “lower fuel bills”, or “help staying in your house”, what the heck do you want? Are you one of those people who keeps having babies and don’t want to work and want’s everyone else to take care of you? Oh , that’ s what you want. Well, Sister, forget it – grow up,

Mischelle From Illinois;
You think the superdelegates knows more about who should be the president than us the regular voter? Since you have not done your homework I will key you in, I work at a university in Ohio and one of my students (23 years old) is a superdelegate at the time he is uncommitted. Also my brothers Lawyer is also a superdelegate he is 32 years old. These so called superdelegates are not party elites as you think they are people who have big ties to others in the party. So unlike you I do not want these superdelegates over turning the vote of the people by the people.

Angela; I live in Ohio and on the news hear they hammer Obama and you can’t turn the channel witout seing and hearing paster Wright. As voters we tend to only hear the negative stuff about the person we support. Truth be told Hillary has way more stuff to be critical of.

Not fair to allow Republicans in Michigan revote as they will come out in droves for Obama, as they are licking their chops to get at him in a general election. By the way, the whole Reverend Wright thing is not a race issue, it’s a legitimate character issue and if the Democrats nominate Obama, it will cost him and them the election. Obama made a great speech on race – unfortunately, the issue isn’t race, but character.

If Rev. Wright didn’t do Obama in, this comment should.

“… .. The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn’t. But she is a typical white person who, uh, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn’t know there’s a reaction that’s been been bred into our experiences that don’t go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way and that’s just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it. … ..” – Senator Barack Obama

Hillary cut MI and FL off at the knees months ago when she was crowing about her status as the “presumptive nominee”, but now she’s their greatest champion? What a sleezy move…and she does it with the gusto of someone who has lost all reason and intellect. We tell our kids that you can’t change the rules when it suits you..she and Bill (it wasn’t really sexual relations) have no moral compass that I can see and certainly no right to represent America.

I am amazed of how many of you dem. will cut your nose
off to spite your face. In order to stop this man for winning
the nominee. You all should reject your relatives and friends,
because you have know them a life time over the unscrupulous
remarks they have made.

Stop listening to the media and go with
your heart. The republican media want to cloud your mind, so the
senile McCain can win. The republicans have never cared about
anybody but themselves. They all have their noses up in the air and
thumbing it at you right now.

MI. and Fl. should not count, because, both Hillary and Obama agree
with the DNC rules. If MI and FL want to blame anybody the should
blame their elected official by voting them out of office next term or
impeaching the governor. Please start laying the blame where the
blame lies.

Now Hillary want to flip flop, running to MI and blaming Obama. Obama
is not the blame. This primary election was not guaranteed to Hillary.

Where is your intelligence America?

I am confused, but not about how Hillary can grab the nominee, but how, after everything with Obama’s disgrace, she isn’t being handed it? Being a former Obama supporter, I am disillusioned, disgusted, heartsick and frightened! Had ‘Uncle” Wright’s comments of racism and hatred of America been reversed and such things were spoken out against the black population, you can bet your white arse that the african americans would have been screaming and demanding that the ‘white’ presidential hopeful step down!

Whoever wins the nomination, the chance for a democract to become the next president is very slim. Currently, democrats are severely ravaged with internal wars, divisions, and mistrusts. They cannot repair it for the next election. Facts abound, making history and electing the first femal or African American to be president is off-table for now. Senator John McCain, the next president of the USA!!!!!!!

David,

I can not see how anyone can believe that Hillary is being treated in a harsh or critical way. I think Barack Obama has been treated far more critically and held to a much higher standard than any candidate that I can remember in the last 20 years. Every candidate in this race has at least 2 or 3 individuals that are not of the character that most americans would like, having said that, I will conclude “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” Let’s get back to the issues and finish this thing up. The superdelegates will decide this and hopefully the marjority of the party will be able to stomach it.

In response to Jen:

The reason that he is still in the running is that he is at present ahead in the delegate count and the popular vote, as well as the number of states won.

David,
I always enjoy your posts and also seeing you on 360. I was very much enjoying politics until the Rev Wright fiasco. I just don’t get it. I am ashamed of a whole lot of my fellow Americans for their ignorant, bigoted views. I wish the press would stop playing it, NOW. Can’t we move on?
I also think the issue of revotes is a non-issue. They broke the rules. If Hillary were ahead she would not be supporting this. Obama had some very valid points in not going ahead with Michigan and isn’t any kind of revote supposed to be fair for all parties??
Hillary can’t win without questionable help. How far will she go? That’s what concerns me. She will never get my vote. I think John McCain is a better human being than she is and it would be easier to vote for him than allow her to win. I still believe that Obama can win this. He is everything this country needs it’s a shame that more folks can’t see that.

Barak is losing people left and right with his recent lies. (forget his past ones) Look again in one week and I bet Clinton will look like the nominee.

If the superdelegates do their job the way they are supposed to, rather than worry about who’s going to be upset with them if they don’t vote they way some of their constituents want them to, they will come to the right decision. Like it or not Hillary is the best candidate for the job, especially since this whole thing about Wright has come to light. Because of it Obama has very little chance of doing well in the general election, and we cannot and should not lose the White House to the Republicans. The Republicans will use that info to their advantage and Obama will be blown out of the water. Remember, he can’t win the general election on the african american vote alone. Yes, he’s picking up some of the white vote but that vote is now going to go down because of his relationship with his minister. Face it Obama fans, he’s not going to make it anymore.

Wake up America! We shouldn’t even be discussing how Hillary can grab the nomination- after Uncle Wrights scathing remarks, she should be handed it!

According to SurveyUSA poll, Senator Obama is loosing by 36% in Kentucky. Any viable presidential candidate from democratic party should not be doomed in Kentucky like this one.

The Wright-wrong affair is not helping democrats anywhere in the country.

Mischelle,

If the superdelegates do overide the pledged delegates in favor of Hillary, recent polls indicate that at least 20% of the party will either write-in Obama, vote for McCain or stay home. I will proudly write Barack Obama’s name on my ballot and vote republican for every other seat open.

Angela, I have to agree with Bel. I am so tired of hearing “the media is harder on Senator Clinton”, she gets the first question, etc.. Is that really the attitude we want our President to have ?

I am a middle aged white woman who would love to see a female President. However, after seeing Senator Clinton’s behavior in this campaign, whining & dirty politics, I am willing to wait.

Angela,

Obama has been the subject of much conversation lately – ranging from the NAFTA issue, the Rezko trial and the Reverend Wright controversy……………..that’s some tough stuff …….

Mischelle from Illinois – I completely agree with you.

The superdelegates will have to do their jobs this time around. They will need to look at the big picture and nominate the candidate who has the best chance of winning the general election.

COUNT THE VOTES IN FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN!.. IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO BE FAIR!

HOWARD DEAN DO YOUR JOB

If the do not count my vote in the FL primary, then they will not get my vote in the General Election.

Is this math simple enough for DNC?

How can you not count the votes of all those people in Florida and Michigan. How democratic is that? It looks more and more like I’m voting Republican. If the Democrats can’t even get the election process done in a fair and equitable manner, than how the heck can they run the country? This election is much too important.

I hope McCain picks Romney as his running mate.

We have a choice…we can make this election about issues that will affect Americans…health care, the economy. Or, we can continue to look for and get excited by scandals. The perfect candidate with the perfect profile does not exist. As a country we should recognize this fact and accept or reject candidates based on their ability to communicate, motivate and make a difference.

David,

Thanks for your always perceptive analysis. I am a life-long Democrat and will enthusiastically support whomever is nominated. I also think that Senator Obama’s address will go down in history as a watershed speech that moved us off dead center on racial matters. Still, I wonder how Obama, a “new” politician can afford to take such an anti-democratic stance as he has in quietly blocking the do-overs in Florida and Michigan. It is a fairly powerful contradiction. It makes him appear to be just another politician.

If Hillary takes the nomination w/out having more pledged delegates than Obama, I will do what I never thought I would and vote for McCain just to protest. The Clintons act like they are entitled to the presidency.

Hillary does not respect DNC rules now basically the rules she as Democrat signed for it , how people can trust her in future she will obey all the rules and regulations of our country. I think ,she is the best bridge for Sen. MaCain to win the November election.

Jen in Cali,
Obamas relationship with the former pastor of his church is not something he’s lied about. He has said over and over that he disagrees with what the pastor said and many of his political views. If you choose to vote for someone, make sure that it is because of his policies and not his acquaintances. Although everyone you know may be saints the rest of us all have people that we know and may even love that are less than perfect. If you don’t like what the pastor said then when HE runs for president make sure you don’t vote for him.

Who says Obama loses big in Michigan? Who says he loses at all?
The only states he’ll lose are Penn, WV, and if there is a re-vote in Florida, yeah, he’d lose Florida pretty big. Puerto Rico probably too.
This thing is over.

Jen in cali: please learn how to use spell check, you assertions are ridiculous: “Why Obama is still in the running is amazing. He has lied so many times and the MSM just brushes it off.” Why should anyone leading in states won, delegates and popular vote drop from the race? As to your statement that Obama has lied you offer no support, and to follow that with “MSM just brushes it off” is ludicrous, have you not been watching CNN and the other news networks as of late? All they do is loop the Wright sound bites. In your own words, your posting is “Unbelievabla” uninformed.

There is an easy fix to this. The one with the most pledged delegates gets the be the presidental nominee and the other gets to be his/her running mate. Problem solved.

People…. Why is Obama being ridiculed for remarks he never made? They were in fact his FORMER pastor’s statements. Does Obama have control of what Rev. Wright says? and if Obama agreed with Rev. Wright would he really be running for president??? Come on this is just ridiculous… This country does recognize FREEDOM of speech Right?!!! or did we just throw that right in the trash. I’m not saying I agree with Rev. Wright’s rhetoric, but I am saying Obama should not be affected. Does the media have any records of any other candidates Pastors comments that may be analyzed to jeopardized THEIR Character!!!!???!?!?

Notice Gergen’s story Headline: How Hillary “Grabs” the nomination. You are not suppose to grab the nomination, you are suppose to win it. If she grabs it, her party will be split, and she will not beat McCain anyway.

David,
Your thoughts on the race are appreciated but disturbing. As the “drama” plays out, McCain is gathering strength. Neither Democrat will win in November if Clinton does not stop attacking. As I see it, she is breaking apart the party in order to win the nomination at the cost of the general election. An interesting poll or survey would be to ask Independents how they see her actions.

I’m disgusted with both Obama and Clinton and wish John Edwards had not dropped out. Each political season ends in the same disappointment- vote for Loser #1 or Loser #2 – neither representing people.

its unfortunate that both hillary and obama decided to run for president
in the same year, because neither constituents from both sides, women or black voters will vote for the other candidate. Its john mccains presidency to loose.

In reality, this is really the first time i have ever been so involved in polictics. Its just something about obama that makes him so likable. Hillary just as a cocky attitude and things she should and will always get her way. That Rev. Wright situation is crazy. How does obama gets in trouble for a situation he wasnt even there to hear. I have been to Black churches and they may mention some polictics in scriptures but nothing to that extreme and that is clearly what Obama is trying to relate. Can anybody find any scruptures from way back or are we just gonna hold Obama to the ones that keeps playing over and over again.

I just don’t understand why democrates are fighting over re-do’s in Florida and Michigan. My understanding is that back in January 2008, both campaigns agreed with the DNC’s stance on not including these two states in the national primary results because their state poltico’s chose to defy the party’s rules that they not hold elections earlier than they were supposed to. They knew the consequences of preceeding with elections despite their party’s firm stance on not moving ahead with their elections. Furthermore, I’m really disappointed with Clinton changing her initial position not to include delegates from both states saying that they wouldn’t make a difference in election results anyway, and now appearing supporitve of the “disenfranchised” voting public. What hypocrisy! This topic of redoing elections should be a moot point. Rules are rules…..blame the statesmen’s huge egos to defy party rules…don’t blame the candidates. Let this situation send the message that when states defy party rules that there are consequences.

Finally, I’ve read previous blog entries where people are calling Obama a liar. Let’s not forget the numerous lies, broken promises, inconsistencies, suicides/homicides, controversies, waffling on issues and investigations that took place during the CLINTON administrations. . . . . .how easy is it to pass judement and forget factual events that took place in the past….. I’d like to move past all of the political distractions and diversions and continue on with our election process!

David,

Elect-ability is the ONLY concern for November for Democrats. Clinton has a very, very, sandalous past that the Republicans can’t wait to air all over again!! And, that past is not popular with most Decmocrats, and may push those Democrats towards McCain or to simply stay home!! As much as Obama may have an issue with a supporter/former pastor, he is still the more electable of both. That’s just the plain math of what we have to deal with right now.

Meak, Madison, WI

David,

Obama has so inspired me. I have always been a registered republican until this election process, and i have re registered as a Democrat in order to support his grass roots campaign. I appreciate how he has brought additional voters into the election process and tried to distance himself from typical Washington politics. He is outstanding, has fresh ideas, will be an excellent diplomat for this country. He is one of the most effective communicators of our day, which will come in handy in meeting with the world leaders and reaching accross the congressional aisle to solve our nation’s problems. McCain is a non-factor, as the country is ready to move on from 8 years of tyranny in the world. HRC, while respectible – I am convinced will say and do anything to get elected – at the expense of her party and this great Country. I sincerly hope that the DNC or the SuperDelegats do not do anything foolish to stop the Obama momentum and overturn the will of the people. The people have spoken and I am convinced that Obama will be our next President. I could not be happier. The HRC folks will come around – look at the alternative – 100 more years in Iraq and American Imperialism.

Jen in Calli – why such ill will? Praying to God he doesn’t win. That’s scary. Almost as scary as Bill returning to the White House. He’s a liar and a cheater. She’s an enabler. Where will that leave this country?

You people scare me.

Dear David,

You are so right in what you said. Its as clear as a crystal ball. If Hilary really cared about the Democrat party and the future of the US, she would now concede the Democrat nomination to Barack Obama, because as long as she continues to hold out for not, the Republican party will continue to gain more votes for the general election. And, no matter how you feel about Hilary or Barack, anyone that continues to add sensationalism to this primary race or to believe it without knowing what each candidates REALLY stands for is just falling for the same old Republican tactics and strategies that fooled Americans in 2000′ and 2004′. And, look where it has gotten us today! And, I repeat, look where it has gotten us today! So, my MONEY is on Barack Obama! And, as a Christian, I can hate the sin, but I cannot hate the sinner. Isn’t this exactly what Jesus taught us. So, America, what do you REALLY want for American? A President that voted to go to war against Iraq, but doesn’t know the difference between a Sunni and a Shiaa (John McCain), A President that voted to go to war against Iraq, but didn’t fully read the intel reports given to her (Hilary Clinton) or a President without having the intel reports voted against going to war against Iraq and correctly foretold what would happen as a result. Again, my money is on Barack Obama, because his judgement is much, much better than their conventional wisdom.

David

I am confused. On one hand its said that neither Obama or Clinton can get the number of delegates needed to win even with the delegates from Florida and Michigan. On the other hand its said that Florida and Michigan delegates need to be seated so that those voters are not disenfranchised. So if the super delegates are in the end going to be the ones to decide who the nominee is, then why not let Florida’s vote count as cast in the first primary since both Obama and Clinton were listed on the ballot; and split Michigan evenly between the two candidates since only Clinton was listed there. For something that is reportedly not going to make any difference there is certainly an awful lot of energy being spent on the issue where it might be better focused elsewhere.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Senator Obama is the one and only best chance to lead this country at this time. He can restore respect in the international community

A PROUD AMERICAN!!!!!

why – in Earth- should be difficult for Hillary to win? Especially after this video of the pastor from Obama’s church?

I am horrified that Obama might even have a chance to win. He is not up to Iraq matters… i watched 360, his ideas are dangerous to safety of all of us and the world. He is so very naive in international matters. He needs to do more schooling/experience gathering.
I am not for war, but I am not suicidal either. It would be nation suicide to let him be elected.
He is not ready to be the honest, wonderful peace maker in the world.
It could work if this country would be neutral – like Switzerland, but it is not.
He is not pure and clean on this pastor. He commented his pastor only when it came out on light what he was listening for 20 years. It is hard to believe that his pastor would not talk to him the way he talked to the people in church = using hate and racism in his words.I would never continue going to church like this, I would have to be threatened on my life to do so. They would have to drag me there chained. And he went on his own, let him to marry him, let him to baptize his kids…….

Obama’s baggage is larger than Clinton’s. More serious, and scary.

I agree with you friends who predict Hillary will win BIG in the remaining elections. If the press had done their job and reported on Obama’s preacher problems several months ago, he never would have made it past Super Tuesday! Democrats would never have elected Barak “Bad Judgement” Obama as our candidate if we new about his 20 year affiliation with Rev. Wright.

If Obama wins the nomination, I (along with several million other conservative democrats) will vote Republican in the presidential election. Obama will never get elected President of the “United Sates Of America” now that we know what kind of judgement he really has!

This is NOT about RACE and I resent him PLAYING THE RACE CARD to justify his extreeeeeemly bad judgement!

Wow, they have managed to paint this man Obama so bad that most Americans have forgotten about the real issues facing this country.

It is only in America that what your pastor says and believes mean a lot more to people than what you yourself say and do. The news media can keep on playing the Reverend Wright’s 30-second snippet while patriotic American soldiers die in a foolish war in Iraq. The economy is in a mega mess, the Asians are taking over American technology. Education is spiralling downward. Yet, all that Americans can concern themselves with is the same old racist intolerance that has plagued this country for centuries.

Obama is the best hope America has now.

I find it very difficult to swallow that the clinton campaign is stating that the reason michigan votes wont be counted is the fault of Obama. He has clearly stated that he will go along with the DNC’s decision, so why not instead of saying what is Obama afraid of, they should be telling the DNC to make a decision since it was their decision to strip these states of their delegates. It’s not Obama’s responsibility, and the truth is that after campaigning in these two states the percentages will remain the same. Obama will be in the lead and clinton will need super delegates to name her the nominee, she is the one dragging her feet and ignoring the popular vote, delegate count, and telling America that John McCain is the strongest candidate.

The news keeps making Obama culprit of this deal not working out.

However, its Hillary… The fact that she won last time was a fallacy because he wasn’t on the ballot, and barack lost to her getting a decent percent with a higher percent undecided. Now in this new election, Hillary’s camp does not want to let those people vote again in the revote.

She is blasting Obama saying he doesn’t want voices heard, when in fact he just wants ALL voices heard.

Jen in Cali- You are not much different than those “looped quotes of the pastor” . Go on Youtube abd watch Obam’s philly speech. I have never heard anything said with more conviction and heart ever in the annlas of our history. This man is the real deal. I was a Hillary supporter and a McCain admirer but they dont come close to OBAMA. God Bless America.

Alex

Bel-

I completely agree with you. Anyone who still thinks the media is in favor of Obama must be both blind and deaf… They have done a 180 so fast, to what I believe to be extreme overcompensation as to not be seen as sexist.

Isn’t it interesting that with the release of Hillary’s White House information, we learn that both Bill and Hillary were 100% for NAFTA!! Now she wants the American public to believe the exact opposite. Where I come from that is called, “a bald face lie.” Do we really want another 4 years of “lying and denying” in Washington??

It is beyond me how anyone can think the press has been easy on Obama lately. Hillary is getting a free ride, even though she’s a power-hungry liar. It will be truly a shame if we let the chance for Obama to be president slip by. He is a brilliant, REAL, and capable leader. GO OBAMA!!

Obama needs to start acting the same way he preaches. All the votes in this country should count. You can not belong to the “wind party” and play as the wind flows. Rules don’t mean anything. After all he argues against all previous rules made by the old establishment. Why is he scared of re-vote. If he looses then he should not become president. Doesn’t his action remind us of playing the old politics? Rest assured that if the Florida and Michigan votes don’t count, and he wins the primaries, people in other states will make sure he loses in November. I like Obama and his ideas, but don’t start acting like Bush. What is it to say that he is not an agent of Republicans and he is not put in to make sure Republicans win in November.

David,

I wish Clintons can listen to you. Perhaps they don’t belive in math, they rather belive in miracle as Hucklebee? Or, perhaps their campaign staff just can not admit it’s over and their career in politics is also over? Clintons should think hard about their legacy and reputation.

Please, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, do not let those who sabotaged your campaigns sabotage the chance of democrats.

What a bad loser Hillary is! She didn’t care for Michigan voters a couple of months ago and now, she is making noise about this Florida-Michigan issue. How can we trust Hillary who flipflops all the time on issues and rules. This is about our future?

Win or lose with dignity, Hillary!

It’s funny how the focus of racial overtones is now all over Obama. Didn’t Hillary have an advisor that recently made racist comments? Yes she did.
America, we need to relize that Obama and Hillary did not say these remarks, they came from someone else in their camps and they were both denounced by the candidates. So basically we as Americans need to drop the racial debate.

It is a shame that Obama basically doesn’t care about the voters. Obama preveneted the re-vote of MI. If he didn’t like Hillary’s plan he could have offered another plan but no, he turn the page on MI. He is doing because he know MI votes could hurt him. In the process he is destoring the democratic party. Obama needs to step down.

NEWSFLASH FOLKS!! Regardless of which candidate you want to win the nomination, if Florida and Michigan are not seated in the convention, then John McCain easily wins the general election. This year really has proven how stupid democrats can be. I am beginning to believe the republican pundits when they say the DNC is a dysfucntional party!!! As a poster previously stated, we don’t seat Florida and Michigan we play right in to the Republicans hands.

As a Canadian who has been watching most of the US news channel and listening to their radio programs, i find David Gergen as one of the most objective American on air. I dont care whether it is Obama or Clinton that becomes the nominee but i think all rational American should think about the last part of Obama’s message and also the last part of David’s message “We are learning a lot in this campaign not only about the candidates but about ourselves”

This is a generational opportunity for Americans to fundamentally shift the discourse about race relation. During the Iraq war the French refer to the US as a bully without a brain. Can American rise up and discuss the issue of race at an intellectual level or do they lack capacity for such level of intelligence.
Goodluck America.

If everyone thinks Hillary is being petty about Michigan and Florida needing a do-over so these 2 states (which agreed do favor her) votes and delegates can count, then let’s even out the supposed pettiness and take out of the equation the 2 largest states that Obama has won and not let them count for anything. Let’s see how petty Obama and his supporters find that. With Michigan/Florida removed from the equation, AND Obama’s wins in his 2 biggest states (what Illinois and Wisconsin?)out of the equatiion, what would be the Clinton/Obama’s status right now regarding number of votes/delegates. Any mathematician researchers out there?

you make me sick..Jen in Cal….just because Obama is friends with someone doesnt mean that he has to agree with them…i’am sure you got friends that said something that you didnt like…did you stop being friends with them doubtful…..Obama is a way better choice for President…and if you deny that because of his Pastor..then i really feel sorry for you…

Stupidty does not become the American people. WE elect the president. ‘We the people’ have the power. Someone leading in ALL the categories should be the nominee. If the Dems have a brokered convention, they will end up with a consensus candidate like George McGovern and we all know what will happen there. If Obama leads after PA, Hillary needs to drop out and support him. There is no reason to drag it out. Save the money for the General Election. McCain can be defeated if the Dems are united. There is a chance to make history and it should not be stunted or marginalized.

I am a Clinton supporter who would love to see my candidate win but, I recognize that a seating of the delegates as they stand in both Michigan and Florida would be unfair and wrong. The states KNEW and had agreed upon the rules for this primary year. I really wish Hillary would stop hounding the DNC, it is not their fault. She ought to start hounding Granholm (G-MI) and Crist (G-MI) for allowing this catastrophe to happen to begin with. The blame and focus is being placed upon the wrong people. I don’t want to see my candidate win unfairly just for the “W,” I want to see her win with honor and fairness. Friends, thats the American way.

It is quite interesting to see a lot of Americans rivel in the same old path of scandal and pull him down tactics when dealing with their politicians. One would think that with the economic and other pertinent issues confronting the country, the average citizen will learn to focus more on these issues that affect their lives and that of the future generation.

The pains inflicted by the present administration on the majority of Americans cannot be over-emphasised and despite the fact that the Bush administration had pursued the wrong path from the onset, Americans still opted to vote for him to continue in office for another four years. They will rather reject John Kerry because the Republican party succeeded in drumming it into their heads that he was a flip-flop and the effects of that error is being felt by most Americans today.

There is no perfect candidate out there and Americans should learn to focus on using what they have at a given time to get the best that the country can have….this is how the country attained its lofty status before now. This country needs a change that the world can believe in, a change that can get people all over the world to respect and love America like they used to. In my opinion, Obama happens to be the only candidate who can provide this at the moment. If America lose this opportunity only because his pastor goofed, then it is safe to conclude that the time has come for the super power status to move elsewhere.

Frankly, am chocked how we can judge the actions of one man onto another. The comments that Rev Wright made where outrageous and as a white American male I was offended. However, I don`t blame Obama for it.
For me it all boils down to, weather we want the same old tried politics, with the same old promises and same old tactics. Destroying instead of building, dividing instead of uniting, or do we want something different.

I for one will not cast my vote to have more of what we already have today. An economy that is on the brink of recession, a war that has taken over 5000 American Lives and cost us nearly a trillion dollars.
The truth of the matter is when that phone rings, I can`t bear to have Monica Lewinsky at the end of it. We have had a Clinton, we have had a Bush, let someone else have a try.

Micheal, London Uk

If Hillary steals the nomination without having the pledged delegates or the popular vote and you were a Obama supporter would you then vote for her in the general election. I don’t think so. I rather see McCain as president that a thief.

If people understood why moving to the beginning of a primary season is so valuable then maybe they would realize that it was Hillary’s plan to influence the election early with easy wins for name recognition before anybody had a chance to get to know Obama. Even though the delegates would not count, they probably believed the wins would have a pyschological effect on the race. When Obama rolled right through the legitimate contests they felt they could move it again to the end (closer to where they were) and make the final call. Who gives these guys the right to play games with the rules, while every other state abides by them. If we let them do it, in four years, the entire electorate is going to try and be at the beginning and the end! What kind of precedent are we setting here. It seems like the Gov of FL is trying to get Hillary elected any way he can. And then run with McCain as VP. Go figure…

We can “re-do” Michigan and Florida??

If we could….then can we “re-do” the last 7+ years?

Rules are the rules and you knew about them and signed off on them Hillary!!

It will be a huge backward step if Clinton grabs or steals the nomination. Didn’t the Clinton campaign play the race card just before the South Carolina primaries? Call me a cynic, but I don’t think it is mere coincidence that the furore that has erupted over Wright’s sermon (preached some time ago) is headline news now, as Clinton campaigns in Pennsylvania.
I am a 61 year old white female who no longer supports Clinton, and whose respect and admiration for Obama increases daily.

David, Hillary will do anything to win, including to stooping to any action she does to get two states who chose to not abide by the rules of the DNC votes counted, especially Michigan where Obama was not even on the ticket. Her actions are not to get the Michigan and Florida voters their rights – she would not do it this if she were ahead – but to better her chances to steal the nomination from Mr. Obama.

Above and beyond that, the Wright affair – while the Reverend’s words are deplorable – do not change the man who is Barack Obama – Obama did not and never has stated or held those beliefs, so stop the guilt by association. If you do choose to go by guilt by association – Hillary has a lot of guilt gained through her association with Bill Clinton and his many fiascos and less than honest political and business dealings.

Can we all just get along please. Hillary will do ANYTHING to win it’s a different in a real fight, and playing dirty that called CHEATING!!! I don’t agree with alot of things my pastor says, but Im not about to leave because I love everybody at my church not just the pastor but everybody in there they are considered my family.

Obama is wanting to unite the country look at all the young white, black, and hispanic voters that are turning out in BIG numbers please this is going to be the best President ever and I do believe he will change the country, and bring a very sucessful Dems party more stronger.

David,

I remember when you worked for Bill Clinton. But in your CNN analysis, you favor Barack. When you’re teaching over at Harvard’s Kennedy’s School of Govt, please keep it neutral.

The problem with the Wright remarks is that Barack sought out that church and stayed with that church, knowing the hate rhetoric. He did so for political purposes to make a name for himself in the community and in the Ill. state legislator.

But what is even more disturbing than not leaving (20 years!), is we see how this has influenced his wife Michelle who is extremely controversial (more so than Hillary who was hated by the Right Wing Majority because she was a career woman from an Ivy League school) and because of Michelle’s past remarks.

On a last note, bringing his children into this hateful environment and his remarks about a loving white grandmother to make his comparison, especially when she was making a stereotypical comment and then saying he “cringed”, but he was so unemotional about what he heard from Wright is to me, very disturbing. He is unfit for the office of the President of the United States.

As a long time supporter of your rationale and reason, I must depart from you on this issue. It is enextricably clear that If Hillary were Obama and Obama were Hillary, this would not even be an argument. The only reason that the news media even considers anyone second in popular, delegate and number of States is perhaps more rooted in America’s past racial discretions than sound sixth-grade mathematics, even children can count. Hillary Clinton is holding out towards a near impossible mathematical certainty, which is bizaar considering how many intelligent people she has on her staff. She has chosen to stay on this course of “Burn The Capital” until there will be nothing left but for the Republicans this November. It is CLEAR to all of us Hillary, that before you let Obama get the presidency you will hand it over to a member of an opposing party. This is a total lack of Grace and Nobility.

What’s really disturbing is Hillary’s willingness to do anything to win. It says a lot about her character and how she’ll govern. I don’t think I want someone this pathologically tied up in their own success running the country.

SAM
Obama keeps referring to Pastor Wright as his ‘former’ Pastor but Pastor Wright only officially retires/becomes the ‘former’ pastor of Trinity Church at the end of this month. Obama is being politically strategic, like everything else he does, by referring to Pastor Wright with the past tense word, ‘former’, as a way of creating distance from him in the public eye.

Based on what I’ve heard, the fact the Florida and Michigan will not have a re-vote, does NOT mean that their delegates are not going to be seated in some agreed upon distribution.

There’s no disenfranchising here if those delegates still get seated, only not by a totally new re-vote. It is really the leaders who broke the rules who risked disenfranchising their own constituents.

As far as who should be the nominee, if this isn’t decided on the basis of who has the most delegates in the end, there will be no basis or rule to stand by if something similar were to occur in the future.

It would cripple the Dems if they don’t hold a redo. They will have a major say in who picks the Dem. nominee. I think whoever is the Dem. nominee will be Pres. (which is good) I would PREFER Hillary because Obama is liar, a hypocrite, and a big cheat. Hillary is all of those things. But at least she is willing to admit her shortcomings. According to the senator from Illinois—he, himself, is infallible and free from error. Ha. Biggest joke EVER

And just what “elevated view” over other Americans do you snobs think you have exactly. Geez! How condescending. Looks like you’ve been hanging around Obama too much, but of course we all knew you were so it’s no surprise he’s rubbed off on you.

David: I am very worried about what will happen if Obama wins the delegate count, popular vote, and most states, and then the supers come in and hand the nomination to Clinton. I think there is a potential for riots especially seeing as we are in a recession and this primary has ignited anger between the candidates supporters.

The media should also take some of the blame… the reporters are really lazy these days. You have just played the Wright clips over and over and over and over. Not one of the reporters bothered to research the whole sermons to determine what was said before and after. What great sermons he has made, or even interviewed the man. You have also allowed some really racial remarks get printed on the blogs that made me feel ill when I read them. Mark my words… the democratic party will take years to recover. And Hilary may get the nomination but her career will be over. She will be despised for her dirty tactics.

Watching this from afar, this is VERY scary. The Republicans can see a way to destroy the Democratic Party, at the same time as their surrogates foment resentment and hatred. At the same time the American economy is sinking like a stone.n
No wonder Barack said “not this time”.

WE HAVE NO STANDARDS IN THE COUNTRY ANY MORE — WE DON’T HOLD LOCAL POLTICIANS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES AND ARE SO QUICK TO POINT THE FINGER AT OTHER PEOPLE!

THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE DNC, OR OBAMA — THE PROBLEM IS WITH FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN LOCAL POLITICANS AND CLINTON. HILLARY KEEPS STIRRING THIS POT BECAUSE SHE WANTS THE DELEGATES.

FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN DID NOT PLAY BY THE RULES AND NOW WANT THE RULES CHANGED TO ACCOMMODATE THEM!

NO WAY! IT IS WHAT IT IS — SEE YOU IN FOUR YEARS!

Obama might win the nomination obviously he have the lead however excluding Florida and Michigan Vote will come back to bite him on the general election.
For Obama I would say take your chances and have Michigan and Florida to revote.

Shutters or shudders?

If Clinton is chosen as the nominee despite Obama’s pledged delegate lead (which he will have even if MI and FL are rerun), then the black base — which typically has voted 90% for the Dem. nominee in the general election — will not support Clinton. Plain and simple, that will doom her in every swing state and will put states like California into play. It could be a McCain landslide.

If Obama is the nominee, he might have the skills and acumen to rebuid bridges to enough white and female voters, esp. if he chooses a white woman for VP, to be competitive in the fall.

For those who think the Obama “scandals” are too big, just imagine if the Republican machine has the chance to go after the Clintons again.

Hillary Clinton believes that the end justifies the means. She apparently has no values, she just wants to win by any means necessary. I think this is a strong indication of the kind of president she would be, but if the voters are paying attention, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that.
The DNC had a legal right to set the rules for primaries. The courts have refused to insert themselves in such matters. For the future, party leaders in each state have a choice. They can either follow the rules or accept the consequences of their actions. In this case, the consequences were spelled out ahead of time. IfFlorida and Michigan voters have been disenfranchised, then they have only their respective party leadership to blame. As I see it, the only possible compromise would be to seat the delegates and split them right down the middle or possibly seat them in the same proportion of delegates already pledged to each candidate.

also…
to add to mr. sam’s comments from earlier.
why arent you defending Hillary the same way?
she is taking heat for the geraldine ferraro fiasco.
ALSO…Rev. Wright is still Obama’s pastor. he is just no longer working on the campaign.
Gee, people are such hyprocrites.

Hillary will not grab the nomination, she will earn it if she is treated fairly.

But since she is not, and my vote doesn’t count in FL, we and she will be left to dry.

Cheer up McCain, I will vote for you if Obama is the nominee.

it is obvious that reality and therefore thruth is in the eye of the beholder. It is also true that the American people have a problem with people who speak the truth or else it would not be a nation of hypocrits.The whole world knows the Clintons lie every time they open their mouths but it sounds good to some Americans who cant see further than their own nose. And there are many. Everytime they have a chance to have someone smart and decent lead and guide them they choose the criminals. Like last time and the time before……it looks like those folks have no clue of what is happening and when the moment of truth hits them in the face they blame: the blacks, the whites, the yellows , the Muslims, etc etc etc…..,why dont you start educating yourselves and clean up your backyards first!

Hey Joe,

Will you – and everyone else who keeps assuming that women are too stupid to think to vote for someone based on their qualifications rather than their sex, and that blacks are too stupid to vote for someone based on their qualifications rather than their color – stop with this narrow mindedness. PLEASE give us all some credit for intelligence.

The party obviously has to make accommodation for delegates from Mich. and Florida. It is a bedrock principle that the millions of votes in those two states be counted. How they are counted is the real debate here.

In my humble opinion (no name calling), Howard Dean is out of touch with the factors which will help the Demos win in November. The party itself has to reach a solution that enfranchises those voters. Period.

David, I think there are so many pitfalls for the Demos at this point that it will be a miracle if the party doesn’t self-destruct. What will Obama supporters do if he is not nominated? Is that a reason to just hand the nomination to him on a platter even though he looks like a loser in Penn., as well as falling in the national poll just released (that trend needs to be watched of course), and was soundly defeated in every state, but Texas (where it was close) and Ill., that the party needs to carry to win in November?

Leave it to the Demos (my party) to screw up what should be a cakewalk to the presidency this cycle.

If we are going to hold candidates accountable for who they associate with I say we hold Hillary accountable for standing by a lying, philandering husband who dragged our country through our most embarrassing times.

We don’t need the Clintons and their sense of entitlement back in the WH. IMHO

This election has truly made the colors of so called Americans shine through. I have read and seen so much of the “undercover” rascism find life through blogs and other media outlets and yet the question still remains…. Is America ready for a new wave of politics? Quite frankly, America is not because America won’t confront the root of it’s culture. We won’t judge our ownselves, but yet we are so arrogant and haughty that we judge others by rules we fail to live by. America is failing and in more ways than one. Yet, we want to categorize somebody’s remarks as racist when I have seen more bigots fly free on all the major stations everyday of the week with no refrain. Interesting but not new.

Get a grip. Religous indoctrination is real in every church. Anyone who attends and thinks that they were immune to the sermon of the day is sadly mistaken. This is a real issue. You can’t claim to be a product of your ancestry and then disavow that you were marked by it adversely or not, when it is plastered in the media.

And that fact alone proves Hillary’s point that simply being First Lady had to make her more able to run with the BIG DOGS. She has seen the results of every decision that was made by Pres. Clinton and knows the ins and outs of the players as well as McCain.

Change is about how to do it not just wanting it. Everyone should remember the many times a congress would not get behind Pres. Clinton because it was a republican congress. Do we want a situation where OBAMA has ticked off everyone he needs to work with?

Let’s hope the superdelegates get it right pledges or not.

How do you count pouplar vote or deligate with out FL & MI.

David

Outstanding and balanced

That is why as I understand you have worked in various capacities for both Dems and Reps – conservatives and liberals —

Your moderate common sense voice is a great one

David for President??

I feel Clinton will make an outstanding President. What concerns us about Obama is that he is using racial problems to gain votes. We have far more serious problems in our country. I feel Michigan should be able to vote. That would be fair to both Clinton & Obama. But I wish Obama would address other issues rather than racial. We treat everyone the same, and I treat the kids at school the same. America, think about what Obama is doing.

Terry in Lakeland Florida:

Why are you playing the victim and pointing the finger at the DNC? YOUR Democratic party screwed this up, and YOU voted anyway, knowing full well that your vote didnt count. It makes no sense to blame the DNC when it isnt their fault. Take it out on your own elected officials, but dont threaten to not participate next year. That is preposterous . . . it is like electing McCain to punish your own state democrats. Makes no sense and is illogical.

Ironically, if your state party leaders hadnt been so arrogant and short sighted, your primary would have been later, would have actually mattered, and Florida would not be the electoral laughing stock yet once more.

Mike

Here it is plain and simple:
Hillary Clinton has no shot at winning the pledged delegate race. The system has clearly favored Obama throughout the race.
If Florida and Michigan count then Hillary will win the popular vote, if they dont count she will loose it.
Obama is getting off message and is loosing support to Clinton.
One of them will win and we all need to suck it up if our candidate looses and vote for the nominee.

This is politics. It’s gonna get dirty. Clearly Obama is not shiny clean and neither is Clinton (but we all knew that). Stick to the democratic party. Eithier one is better than another round of Bush.

Our nation got sick & tired of Clinton IMPEACHMENT. Our nation can not, will not erase MONICA LEWINSKY in our history.
The White House is no place for drama; Bill & Hillary need to move to Hollywood.
Hillary will not go away quietly; she is destroying the Democratic party.
Since she knew she can not win, she is destroying the Party before she quit.
Deomcrat’s Disease- Hillary

Seriously, how can Hillary blame Senator Obama? If Senator Obama had won in Florida and Michigan, Senator Clinton would be singing another tune. She had her time in the White House and she wants to rule again. Senator Obama cannot be blamed for his ex-Pastor’s words. I hope in a short while, this thing will die and the combatants will return to what is important

It’s kind of amazing that, in an age where so many campaigns (presidential and otherwise) have been ended by “flip-flopping” accusations, Hillary is still in the race.

She didn’t care about FL and MI at the start of the season. She didn’t care about them going into Super Tuesday. She only cared about them after Obama racked up his string of wins and she was no longer the front-runner. I feel like most voters in FL, MI and otherwise are smart enough to recognize this. It’s gotten enough coverage that people should know this.

Michigan and Florida’s voters as a whole are NOT clamoring for a revote. Their most feverent Hillary supporters are.

I guess when you’ve gotten rid of the kitchen sink, all you have left to grasp onto is straws.

Good analysis David. But here is the question one should also ask the Clinton camp. What about those voters in MI and FL that did not vote in the promaries as they knew that their votes will not count. So this clamouring for counting of votes by those that voted is also dis-enfranchising those that did not vote. Also on Fair and Balanced Reporting is not what any of you Media type do anyway. You always cherry pick information that suits your own needs anyway. Playing snippets of information that is many times mis-leading is not reporting. Objective journalism is where you present your view of the issues as it applies to the masses not jotting down notes like a stenographer and presenting it as is. I can always go to the candidate’s Web site to get biased information.

DEMS

RE McCain

I have no fear as a DEM – pro HILL first but BO second

If the loser of the above two – throughs their support 100% behind the other – and works the crowd ……. the DEMS will win

McCain will not stand up well in a debate on IRAQ that notes Sunnis and Shiites and two more vowels

McCain can not defend a balanced budget – his dream – and keeping the Bush Tax Cuts — not possible – and that will be clear …, but he can not give up on either in the campaign and will not look clear to people

(I do think if he did win – he would then as a one term president abandon a bunch of the Bush Tax Cuts)

Howard Dean has a real talent in confusing the situation at every primary.

What is the DNC chairman doing ? Fire him and get someone else who can make/show strength. Decide before the convention..If not all the new voters will switch to Republcans.

uh Hah, you say that the news media is bias towards hillary, when tv shows are you watching. How do you think it feels for those members to see there pastor in such a negaitive light consistently. They are the victims, sure what the pastor said was very divisive but give me a break its Barack the i like not wright, and plus at least we all know that he is a christian now.

Get a clue. There is no “perfect” candidate. “oh his close friend once said America is evil”. “lets not vote for him”. Because he’s friends with him. This country has lost its mind. Stick to the issues and the issues only. I had a beer when I was 18 and got caught. I guess I will never be worth anything. By the way, I’m 44 now and have made something of myself. You people hype the most minor things into major tragedies. Stay out of it . I don’t need your spin on things to make a decision.

keep praying , prayer is good for you, howerver, can i remind that god is not partial. regarding his pastor; don’t forget to thank god for being born a white woman. and maybe you can ask him to help you find forgivenesss within yourself to forgive a race that has for a very long time suffered injustice…good luck on your prayers.
by a latina woman

It certainly seems that Hillary will do ANYTHING now to pull in those votes. She’s acting like a spoiled child. Can’t you just hear her yelling—- Mommy!!! YOU TOLD ME I WOULD WIN THE NOMINATION! & NOW I’M LOSING— I WANNA WIN!!! I WANNA WIN!!!! Boo, Hoo Hoo….

Most people agree that Obama is good at delivering soaring rhetoric. But I find it laughable to see him instill that intellectual quality into his words trying to explain away his stupidity in keeping twenty years close relationship with Rev. Wright. It’s inexcusable to hear the pastor deride his own country for two decades and yet did nothing about it. He could have asked his pastor to tone down his anti Americanism or simply leave the church. But he did nothing. It is just like his rhetoric on how he was agianst the war in the beginning when all he did was publishing one article on his website and then voted the same way as Hillary once he became a U.S. senator. Don’t people believe in “action speaks louder than words” any more?

Fellow Democrats–
Even if you personally hate Hillary or Barack, they both have essentially identical political agendas. Sitting here and calling Hillary a liar or Obama deceptive or Hillary shrill or Obama disingenuous only serves to divide the party.
What about the actual issues? What happened to Health Care? What about Jobs? What about the Economy? What about THE WAR???
I don’t know about you guys, but I am far more concerned about solving the War in Iraq and getting the Health Care that everyone needs available to EVERYONE than I am about Obama’s Pastor, Hillary’s Tax Returns, or McCain’s bill of Health.
In yet another election, we are letting worthless, meaningless drivel drive the discourse. At this point, with the quicksand this deep, it almost HAS to be Obama and Clinton on the same ticket else the democratic party rip itself in two.
Yet again, my beloved, stupid, punchdrunk party has found a way to destroy itself with the two finest candidates it has come across in 40 years.
What a damn shame.

Too bad the public did not educate themselves before they voted.
Obama would have been out of the running long ago. Obama has a long history, comparatively speaking, of questionable associations.
Senator Clinton is doing the right thing, to stay in the running. It seems to have been a fairly amiable race so far.
Obama seems to be digging his own grave with no help needed.

This is too sad the American public has been hoodwinked and bamboosled by Obama and now they will probably have 4 years of a VERY old war monger. Obama cannot bring this country together. He keeps saying words matter just not when they are words he is listening to.

CNN is too biased toward obama. It is time it becomes independent again.

Senator Clinton can still pull even with Obama in delegates by my math. All it will take is a voting public with the wish to have it so.

It is clear that Senator Clinton is, yet again, willing to dismiss her integrity at all costs to win the nomination that she feels she deserves. Reminds me of the mother who will do anything to get her daughter chosen for the high school cheer leading squad. What is next Senator Clinton? Perhaps it is time for her to try out for the mascot position, as she really is exhibiting donkey-like behavior.

David,
If I follow your argument than would you say that if candidate won a popular vote in a state that all super-delegates from that state should vote for that candidate. If not the case how would you explain Hillary winning Massachusets and both Senator Kennedy and Kerry are Obama super-delegates. That does not make sense either.

regardless of these “playground rules” of the DNC, isn’t it against what Obama stands for to shut out the voters in Florida and Michigan? Sounds like Mr. “I’m not your typical politician” is more typical than most! God please!!! Send us a candidate that isn’t a liar!

David Gergen is a classy guy. Not only brilliant but also very fair and always accurate in his reporting. Wish there were more like him.

Clinton/Gergen 2008 ????

Senator Obama’s response to the Wright issue was brave, honest and intelligent. I was reminded on President Kennedy’s ‘Roman Catholic’ speeches. It is time to put the issue to rest. Both Senator McCain and Hillary have some very nasty associates that have not made front page news. Senator Obama seems to be held to a higher standard by the news media.

I really don’t understand the people in this country! We listen to the media bring down a man for someone else’s stupid comment and the best part is Americans begin to beleive it! Are we just a country of stupid people! He has no control over what someone else says don’t you people get that! Don’t tell me that none of you out there have friends or family that have made stupid racial remarks or comments! And what did you do to them dis-own them? Lets be serious now ok, you just brush it off & know that the person is really a good person most of the time but has some stupid or crazy views some time. If this country does not realize that Obama is a man that is really trying to get us going in a positive direction where we are all trully equal. Where we begin to really not see racial stuff because it is an attitude that needs to be changed in this country. That is what a leader, a president needs to be always positive about all things. Finding common grounds among all other countries & peoples not we are the great USA do as we say or else.

The real blame here belongs to Howard Dean.He had best step up and say he was wrong because he was indeed wrong to deny anyones vote. That said he then needs to seat the delagtes as voted in FLa since both were on the ballot and neither campaigned there.Then in Michigan Obama gets the undecided votes and Hillary the ones she won. End of story-he who messed it up needs to fix it-thats Howard Dean.All should call and or email him and let him know.

Hillary’s politics has revealed that she has no moral ‘line in the sand’ that she will not cross.

It is unfortunate that the press has manipulated the American people for months. Sen. Obama’s lack of judgment should have been brought forward in the begging of this campaign so we could make informed choices.

And now when things are coming to light he is willing to try and placate us with untruths. If your advisor meets with a foreign government just say so, if you were in church when inappropriate thing are said just say so. Don’t run on the promise of a new kind of Politician and then do the same old thing. Your campaign has been riddled with falsehoods, starting with other people’s words.

I’m sorry Sen. Obama I thought you were different.

there is no way Clinton going to win…. she could not take care of her home “husband”, how will she take care of the american people.

Senator Clinton needs to give it up before joining Huckabee in the hall of fame of desperate presidential candidates.

David,

you are the best analyst in CNN panel by far but you are sending me mixed messages. you are writing here hinting something and then on TV you are aruging for the other side. I noted that on your analysis on Obamas’ speach too. you were were giving him a B- on the blog and then on TV you game him a B+ or A. I have noted that you dont like confrontations with other PUNDITS. When i say pundits i am using it really lightly.;)) Anyway I think you should be more up front about your opinion and dont hold back just because others in your panel argue otherwise. You owe that to your political ingenuity. By doing that you will help Anderson to hold a fair discussion if he intends to do so. ))).
Either way you are the best.

If we are going to redo primary elections, we should redo California. The California primary was held before the voters could learn about Obama. If they held a new primary election in California Obama would do much better, he might even win. If we can change the rules half way through, lets change them for California too.

VG

You must not watch CNN very much…..they continually play wright’s disgusting words over and over and over and over………..

ya, that is plainly biased toward Obama!!

And you are of sound mind?

Murry-
It isn’t Sen. Clinton who is crying like a baby. Sen. Obama is the one fighting the re-votes in MI and FL. Sen. Obama is the one who wants SD’s to settle this thing. Sen. Obama is the one calling everyone who even remotely disagrees with his a racist. Sen. Obama is the one who excuses and refuses to disown a racist whacko like Rev. Wright. Get over your hero worship: the man cannot win the general election. he may be ahead in delegates, but those people voted under false pretenses. I would be willing to bet there are a lot of ppl who have since changed their minds. He has no chance. Period. And if you continue to bash Hillary, then you might as well skip the GE all together and just go ahead and swear in President McSame. Because thats what will happen in BO wins the Dem nomination.

CNN briefly played videos from another candidates spiritual advisors that contain controversial dialouge about gay rights and the New Orleans flood victims when first airing Reverend’s Wright sermon. Although I consistenly watched CNN since that time, the videos has never reappeared????

Penny, what a prejudicial ageist you are!!! Harmony among generations is as important as harmony among races. Celebrating diversity and seeking unity requires to include everyone and respect everyone, not just communities.
I am an old dog and I will never stop learning new tricks. I hope that at my age you will be able to say the same for yourself.

Life lessons, experience and the wisdom of age deserve respects. If you and your candidate don’t have to give it, your loss and his as a person, not mine. As for the election, my hope (bigger that all of those who chants the audacity of hope from a mind poisoning preacher) is that the integrity of fearness and true celebration of diversity will win.

I don’t know why Obama isn’t gone after the past week. Any other candidate would be . If he is the nominee I will just sit this one out.

Well, you cannot change the rules in the middle of the game.

If the press and the pundants would stop beating a dead horse (Reverend Wright) day in and day out, hour after hour, minute by minute. Treat the American people as intelligent adults (well some of us) and report on what the candidates are saying about the issues that plague our lives (thank you George Bush) we could then pay attention to how the candidates plan to work on the things that really matter and bring much needed to change in this country. Maybe if all the reporters did that people would educate themselves on the issues instead of wasting their time babbling on these sites. So to CNN and other networks do your real jobs and report “real news”. You are like the Political Entertainment Tonight.
To the American people don’t listen to all the garbage and spin, really educate yourselves as to what the candidates positions are, not to what their pastors are saying, not to what all the pundants are saying etc. Voting is a right, but it should be taken seriously so spend some time finding out what the real facts are. Just remember the last seven years…..obviously the majority did not take the time to do that. I can say proudly that I was in the minority in the last two presidential elections.

What’s sad about the uproar over the Reverend Wright Fiasco is not only his ugly language but that it also reflects the double standards regarding Obama’s candidacy. In 2000 when George W Bush & John McCain attended Bob Jones University for a debate The Media did not ask them to denounce the schools racist policy of prohibiting inter-racial dating. The response from the Republican Candidates & the Media was that they were appealing to their base. Hmmm,….. A base which states it is God fearing/loving yet finds no irony on prohibiting people who are not of the same race from loving each other or dating. I am a Bi racial American and choose to look at the positive aspects of both sides of my DNA (African/European). The African Amercian experience has improved greatly over the past Decade & continues to improve. Also White America has grown spiritually. By winning Maine, Iowa & other mostly White states Obama’s campaign has shown that many white Americans have grown with regards to race relations. There is still work to be done, yet, I am more optomistic today then I was this time 10 years ago.

AC,
Hillary says that she is ready from day one to lead this country. Where was she from day one when the DNC suppended those two states because of their violations.

Why didn’t she speak on their behalf from day one before the primaries began that the voices of those people should be heard regardless of their violations?

Is it becuase of numbers and the expectation to win the nomination that she is now speaking for those states several days and months after the onset of the primaries?
It sounds fishy to me.
The people of those states might not want to vote for Obama but are they really buying what Hillary is saying on their behalf. Just a thought.

William,
Touche!
Why don’t people understand what is happening? We had so much enthusiasm for this election. Hillary has successfully crushed it, destroyed it and turned it into a war zone. Funny thing is, she can’t even win. We are allowing her to continue and destroy the party’s chances of success. It’s sad to watch.

Hillary is a spoiled sport. She should get a emmy for her don’t cry for argentina re-mix, ” Please cry for Florida and Michigan”. The Clinton’s are only running hard because they have favors to repay once she gets in office. Obama is no Rev. Wright, just like Hillary is no former president Bill Clinton! Stop provoking and invoking racial mess into the elections. If Hillary grabs the nomination you can best believe it will be by HOOK or CROOK!

Hillary is going to grab the election like Lewis & Clark grabbed land, like our forefathers grabbed Georgia which led to “the trail of tears”, the way that California was taken from the real Californians, she is going to steal it of course!!!

I understand the concept of spin that politicians or the media may have on a topic. However as much News I watch, and all the “cataclysmic” ruin of our democracy that will occur with Michigan and Florida not counting in a democratic primary… Here are some points, and quite simple:

The DNC warned Florida and Michigan about their delegates not being seated; but they had their primaries, acknowledging this consequences.

All of a sudden, it becomes a disenfranchising… Why does it seem that no one is discussing the fact that the rules were broken?

Here’s one more way Hillary grabs the nomination:

We continue to print her lies and distortions as truths, watch as perceived momentum flow in her direction, which should cause voter apathy and viola! She wins. Aren’t we lucky to have a candidate who distorts her way into the presidency – again.

Anyone doubting that? She is successfuly blaming the MI and FL re-vote mishaps on Obama. Like it was his fault? duh. And, we allow her voice to be printed…

To all the Hillary supporters who say Hillary is the stronger general election candidate:

How can she be thought of as strong when she completely blew so many primaries and caucuses? And let’s not forget that she started out with a 21 point lead over Obama in the polls.

Clinton or Obama, as they used to say, “Those are some slim pickens!”

I am a Florida democratic voter. If Senator Obama wins the nomination,with his “efforts” to resolve the primary’s results in my state, why should my vote be casted for him? Florida votes don’t count, right?

I just can’t fathom the furor over Barrack Obama’spastor…Did he say some ugly things…yes. However there are many clergy who have
said hateful things about homosexuals, Arabs, and even inter-racial
relationships. I think the American public should practice what they
preach and drop the condemnation of Senator Obama. If I remember
correctly Rush Limbaugh once referred to Native American Indians
as “Savages”. There is plenty of hate and racism to go around!!

I am white as well as 1/4 Indian. So I can understand the pastors
resentment in relation to rich white powerful people. And I believe that
there are even white people who are not rich and powerful who can
relate to his comments. If I disassociated myself with every person
who ever made a disparaging remark in my presence, I would not have been able to function in this world, and I believe that Obama is
in the same boat as anyone.

Personally I believe that the furor is really the machinations of a news media influenced,by the very same elite mostly white class.
What really is disturbing to me is blatant bigotry by either whites
or blacks or whatever ethnic group, that will not vote a particular
way based on the color of skin or culture.

My personal choice, though I know that it probably won’t influence anyone, is Barrack Obama…at least with him you know you won’t be
receiving the old B.S. status quo. I think that Senator Obama is the
most sincere candidate of the bunch. Clinton and McCain are neck
deep in “Beltway Manure”.

I can “See Through” Hillary Clinton like a freshly cleaned window pane…Misinformation is her middle name and she had an excellent teacher in her husband.

Mischelle,

Your statement:
“BUT THAT is the point of having the super delegates in the first place, regular folks cannot decide what is best for the party (obviously) so the system of knowledgeable, cool- headed, and more REASONABLE super-duper delegates was created.”

Is completely misinformed. What is the point of voting if a super-delegate is going to override your choice? The point of having INDIVIDUALS vote is that INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS choose the nominee. The Super-delegate system is awful. Nominations should be based on who has the most delegates , more percentage of the popular vote, etc.

It is appalling to me that you think we should be picking a nominee based on what is “best for the party”, rather what is best for the country. I am 20 years old, and I am already tired of the same old politicians blabbering on day after day about who said what, and who flip-flops, etc. Hilary and McCain are the same old politicians. If Hilary is elected president, then the SAME TWO families will “rule” America for 24 years (Clinton, Bush, 1988-2012). Obama represents something new, and you cannot argue that he is very different (in a good way) from Clinton and McCain.

Obama ‘08!

If this country that I love has any chance of regaining the stature it once held across the world the only logical solution is stop pandering to “political correctness” where Obama is quick to yell racist with any one who remotely disagrees with his views. Experience in a leader matters much more than a charasmatic speech. If the DNC has any sense of fairness and decency for the democratic process they’ll allow the voices of voters in Florida and Michigan to be heard.
I agre with Anna who said, it is too sad the American public has been hoodwinked and bamboosled by Obama “and it is frightening the say the least that Obama voters can’t see the forest for the trees. Experience and leadership matter and Hillary is the only reasonable answer.

David,
Hillary Clinton would not be pushing for a do-over if the shoe was on the other foot. If she was ahead in pledged delegates, she would not want the do-over. It simply amazes me what a hypocrite she is. She is trying to place the Blame on Obama so that she can try and cause a negative response toward him. Shame on you Hillary Clinton!!
This is one New Yorker that would never support you. It is too bad the rest of the country does not know how little you have done to help Upstate NY.
NYC gets all her help and the hell with upstate.
Wake up America if you’re not from money Hillary will do nothing for you!
PS:
I sincerely think it is a tragedy that people simple place blame on Barack Obama for things his pastor said.
OBAMA 08

Attn Michigan and Florida:

Barack Obama said it should be up to the people to decide who will be the Democratic Presidential nominee. Barack Obama says every vote should count.

But, apparently, he only wants votes that are in his favor to count. Do you hear Hillary Clinton crying and saying that the states Obama won shouldn’t count? No.

Barack Obama claims Hillary’s sudden interest in Michigan and Florida is just politics. Well, considering Hillary IS a politician, are you guys as shocked as I am that she’s…*gasp*…polickiting. But, correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t his saying that her interest is politics also….jeez…politics?

Let’s call apples apples, and oranges oranges. They’re both politicians, but at least Hillary’s willing to admit she’s a politician. Barack wants you to think he’s not a politician, but some sort of deliverer of truth and peace. Get real, Barack.

I see….we are to not judge Obama for what his pastor has said or done yet, we are to judge Clinton for what her husband has said and done. Sounds like a double standard to me but then, that seems to be par for the course with the Obama campaign. The seemed to learn their leader’s teachings well.

I think people who criticize Obama and Rev. Wright are hypocrites. I think if we took 2 of minutes out of anyone’s life where they were cursing and degrading others, they would probably look as monsterous as Rev. Wright. Ohh.. is threre anyone claiming that they are so righteous that they never cursed or degraded others in their life?… Yeah!!! He who lives without sin cast the first stone … and I guarantee that the wind will catch the stone and fling it right back at ya! .

David, thanks for your insights here. I am amazed at the vitrolic attacks of several of your responders toward both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. Yes I fear the Democratic party has the potential of imploding -as it did in 1968 with its candidates feeding upon and destroying each other. The real issue with both Florida and Michigan should not be foisted on the two Senators but with an incredibly inept DNC leadership. It is that leadership that should be aggressive brokering a workable solution here. The fact that it appears to have neither the will nor the ability to do so makes it seem all to much like another Howard Dean Iowa meltdown.

How can any of you people say that you will vote for McCain because you don’t like some part of the Clinton/Obama selection process?!? Have you ever heard the expression “cutting off your nose to spite your face?” You sound like a bunch of crybabies who think only of yourselves and not the future of this country. Anything you do to help elect McCain would just continue the total disaster of the last 8 years. Can your conscience live with that? Face the fact that this country needs a Democratic president and Congress to even begin to right the wrongs of the Bush administration, and do what needs to be done!!

Once again the republicans stole the democratic vote in Florida. There is noway Obama will win in Fla. That is a swing state and the democratic party DNC in particular has screwed up.

And if our voice in not heard in Fla. we will remember come November. And elect Bush Jr. (McCain).

I am sick of this Primary to hell with the DNC at this point !