How to end the Hillary Clinton/Barack Obama standoff

While some party leaders keep counseling caution, at least a few Democratic superdelegates are getting antsy about the prolonged nature of their party's presidential race and going public with their concerns -- as well as offering suggestions for untying the knot that seems to be growing more tangled.

One of those is Edward Espinoza, 35, of Long Beach, a member of the Democratic National Committee. He was blunt in a recent conversation with Times' reporter Peter Nicholas, saying that if the contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton lasts through the Democratic National Convention in late August, it would be “devastating’’ for the party.

Espinoza has settled on the date he thinks the battle needs to come to an end -- Memorial Day, May 26.

At that point, if none of the remaining primaries between now and then has established either Clinton or Obama as the obvious frontrunner (which seems unlikely) and neither has dropped out (even more unlikely), the superdelegates need to “put our weight behind someone’’ to determine the nominee, he said.

“There will come a time when we need to step in and bring some closure to it," said Espinoza, a political and public relations strategist who had backed Bill Richardson but now is uncommitted.

He added: “We don’t just have an opportunity to put an end to it; we have an obligation to put an end to it."

Espinoza's focus on Memorial Day ...

seems a bit arbitrary -- and won't be welcomed by Democrats living in Puerto Rico (which has a June 1 primary) and Montana and South Dakota (where the primary season wraps up on June 3).

But we suspect he is giving voice to a growing restiveness among superdelegates -- an attitude being promoted most obviously by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Bredesen, who like Espinoza is uncommitted, appeared on MSNBC today to push his call for a quasi-convention of superdelegates in June (after the Montana and South Dakota votes) to settle "a problem we didn't expect as a party" -- i.e., that the primaries would prove non-conclusive.

Given that this means the superdelegates will have to tip the balance anyway, Bredesen argues that it's better for for these party honchos to "get out of the backroom mode" and play out the endgame in a public setting -- sooner rather than later.

"Let's get this over with," he said this morning. "Let's not have a summer of recriminations."

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[closeted racists unite (not)]

I love the fact that now closeted racists feel like they can spout their nonsense with a little more comfort, because they want you to think that it's in the interest of political discourse. Don't be fooled. And for you Dems that won't vote for Obama because he's black, therefore shooting yourselves in the foot, I can only pity you. How have you fared under Bush?

Last time I checked, Obama won plenty of states where there's hardly any Black people, so please shut up.

Obviously, to the winner (not the whiner) go the spoils. Obama is in the lead in every way. Hillary is self-destructing the party with a 5% chance of getting the nomination, and only by a superdelegate coup of some type could she prevail.

This is the most united time for the Dems ever, the best chance, but if the people's voices are silenced by the installation of a nominee with less votes, states, and delegates, you better believe the Democratic party will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in Nov.

In other words, it's time to turn the corner on this political gamesmanship. Right now we are loading ammo into guns for the Republicans to shoot at us. And they always pull the trigger.

[Johnson M]

All things considered, I would suggest nominating Al Gore to be the Democratic candidate. Let us call him back!! May look like a funny idea or something with a remote chance. After these types of punches and counter punches, it's inconceivable that either Hillary or Obama will get the entire, whol- hearted support of Democratic voters and sympathizers. If Hillary becomes the candidate, there is every likelihood that a good percentage Black voters may not vote in the election. The same with the "young, enthusiastic” voters who gave Obama the early momentum. They will be dispirited, and will stay home. If Obama wins, a good number of rural white democrats may not show any interest in voting. Believe it or not, McCain is the best candidate the Republicans could field and he may easily garner 50%+ of independent votes. Under the circumstances, Al Gore is the best bet for Democratic Party. He can unify the party; he has the experience; and he will not generate any enthusiasm among republicans to go to the polls.
So, in the interest of the Democratic party and the need of the our, I call upon all true democrats to request Hillary and Obama campaigns to release their delegates unanimously in favor Al Gore! AL GORE 2008!

[Ben P]

Hey, there is a political process that says you go until you find a nominee. Why even have a convention if the nominee has to be decided before then and, even worse, when some states have not yet voted.? This is a national nominating process, and all states should be allowed to vote. And wouldn't the convention be exciting if neither candidate has enough votes? Maybe even a third candidate can rise out of all this mess and win the nomination. Now that would be a true uniter because it appears neither Obama or Clinton can be that.

[Ron M]

since there was a bogus election in FL and MI, there is no election on which to base the delegates. Therefore a 50-50 allocation of delegates in both states for Clinton and Obama and a reduction in the number of delegates by 50% seems appropriate.

Mrs Clinton can't mentally function properly when sleep deprived. Who do you want to answer the red phone at 3AM?

Didn't any reporter ask Chelsea about the Bosnian airport incident? She probably inherited the lying gene since both parents have it.

[Paul M.]

I have not seen any racist or divisive comments from Barack Obama's former pastor. For educational purposes, here are the speeches in question in entirety.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2008/03/rev-jeremiah-wr.html

Regards.

[mike stuiut]

Howard Dean is doing his best to cost the democratic party this election. The florida Democratic part had no say when they held there primary. Jeb Bush and the republican legislature chose the date. Deny Florida and Michigan there delegates and guarantee Mc Cain as our next president. Is Howard Dean a closet Republican or just a moron?

[Andrew]

when al gore won the popular vote but still lost the election to bush, the democrats went berserk. now obama has the popular vote and has won more states, but the hilary democrats all of a sudden are saying that's not enough, im confused. why the double standard?

im a first time voter, raised in a republican family, but still voting democratic - for obama. all this b.s. by the clintons about winning the nomination without the popular vote is making me think maybe i should just go back to the republican side since the democrats arent even going to stand for their most basic principle of being "the voice of the people". but i guess to the clintons, that just means the voice of the select superdelegates, forget the average voter like me.....

[Jeff]

The Rev. Wright is not running for President and anyone who thinks he's a anit-white racist is simply listening to Fox News and not listening to the Rev. himself. Typical. So really, who cares what Rev. Wright has to say? The only people peeved by it are the 25-30% of the BUSH BASE that wouldn't vote for Obama OR Clinton anyway.

As for Hillary: Commander's in Chief do not make up War Stories. She didn't 'misspeak', she vividly gave an account of an event that never existed, more than once. She has NEVER run from an aircraft ducking sniper fire at anytime, or anyplace. There's no mixing up of memories, she's flat out lying and was caught.

The Commander-in-Chief doesnt MAKE UP war stories.

[GSW]

Here's a novel way to end the so-called Clinton/Obama Standoff -- the media should report ONLY the candidates' positions on major political issues such as the economy, the war in Iraq, universal healthcare. I believe the bickering and acrimony are largely stirred up by the media itself in a misguided attempt to increase readership/viewership a la People Magazine.

[Bill]

If superdelegates decide this then Democrats are done. The only thing that will accomplish is a certain McCain victory. Let the people decide.

[luvwknd]

If a Democrat votes Republican, it is a waste of a vote and that Democrat should have just NOT voted! Vice-versa for a Republican voting for a Democratic Prez.

If you don't like Hillary/Obama and you are a Dem, then DON'T vote unless you agree to the Republicans garbage politics.
If you like the Republican nominee but are a Democrat, then re-register as a Republican so your vote will count for the Republicans.
It's a very simple process, register for the party in which you support the nominee or leave it all alone!

[Armand]

Why is Obama being called a racist for comments his former pastor who is also a military veteran made about the US government. I think the bush administration should be criticised, maybe this is too harsh for many to here from a person of color. How often do most people go to church and who else in this country has to take full responsibility for words uttered by a clergyman. The Obama being racist comment is rediculous you fail to forget that he is half african half white his mother and grandparents are all white. wow

[Scott Hansen]

In response to Clea's post at 10:32 AM:

And if the proposal means that OBAMA is the one to step down.., would you then say, "so be it"??

Are you sure you have been a Hillary supporter from the beginning?! Or maybe this is just a thinly disguised ploy, hmmm..

[Honneymoon in Teheran ?]

This Espinoza guy is governor Judas's suppository.He
did at one point consider throwing all his weight behind
Mike Gravel's candidacy but changed his mind when
Richardson told him he would be on his short list of VP
choices. Espinoza is now counting on a letter of recommendation from the modern day Judas to apply
as personnal secretary to the reverend J. Wright.

[ChandraSF]

In the past 2 elections, the Democrats went with "safe" candidates in Al Gore and John Kerry. I say, this time make history, and nominate Barack. He may flop or he may fire up enough independents to create a wave of democrats in power for 12 to 20 years, to right this sinking ship. It's a gamble worth taking. As for Senator Clinton, there isn't that much of an upside. Her negatives among independents are high. She may squeak in, but it'll be a divisive 4 years, since she has already declared she is a fighter. Can we stand 4 years of bickering, even from a 'lovable' person like Hillary? As for those claiming that Reverend Wrights comments will cause them to never vote for Obama - too bad. I have a hunch he'll still pull a rabbit out of his hat, despite the judgmentals. Whatever his contradictions may be, they pale compared to the kool aid served by the Clintons. He released his tax returns, his earnmarks, and his policy statements (now being shamelessly copied by both his opponents - e.g on Mortgage crisis - he was proposing what Clinton unveiled just this week more than a year earlier)

[people]

People,

We need a president who loves America.

We do NOT need a racist and a non-patriot.

Wake up, people.

[QUAD]

I'm just tired of all the bickering and back stabbing.

Give it up Senator Clinton, I for one know your true demeanor from your past and want no part of it in my government.

Politicians like you are on the way out. Even more so politicians like Pres. Bush and Senator McCain are dinosaurs and are going to become forcibly extinct. Screw term limits the people are finally getting up and doing what they say we should someday do, vote the idiots out. Thank you Senator Obama for being another "exception to the rule" by helping make this happen.

If you want further proof just look at how Senator Clintons daughter responded to a legitimate question from a true supporter on the Lewinsky situation from the past. Senator Clintons daughter said, among other things, that is "none of his business" in effect saying it's none of our business. Well, apparently they didn't teach her that it is our business. When they become public servants, if they are not willing to answer the questions posed to them, get the hell out of public service where privacy is expected. I/we pay politicians salaries and have every right to question them. Let's not forget, as they apparently have, that they answer to us, its not the other way around.

This behavior is no different our president publicly denying a report saying that reputable economists predict that gas is going to be at over $4 a gallon by the summer. Our intelligent, respected, eloquent public servant said "Oh really, I never heard that. Next question". I just cringe every time I see him or McCain talking anymore. I am sorry, but we, the people, collectively as a country look like idiots to the rest of the world and we deserve it because we let it happen.

So far the only person I see not acting in the "mold" of the modern day politician is Senator Obama and even he is starting to "join in" on the ridiculousness on a smaller scale because it is being "forced" onto him by Senators Clinton and McCain.

Truly in these tough times a very sad state of affairs, we have more important things to worry about.

[Rachel]

I have to remember to stop reading all of the public comments. Most of you have no objectivity and continue to perpetuate lies on both sides. Just because you think something is the truth doesn't make it necessarily so. Both candidates are flawed, but this constant bickering and threats to pull out of the Democratic Party sure doesn't help matters. Mccain is better than either HRC or BHO? Have all of you Dems lost your fool minds?

How many of you read fact based news articles, or read/watch speeches and debates in their entirety? How many of you research your assertions before you repeat them? Most of you seem to play telephone or conveniently leave out key bits of information to suit your own causes, that’s not productive. The American people are better than this, how can we ever get change when people can't even be real about their elected officials.

We can’t change the rules now, we have to go forward and make this work. And next time we can make sure that some changes are made, we’re in this mess…let’s use our heads and calm voices to figure it out.

[dyinglikeflies]

Right now, Obama has 4 Kings and Clinton has 3 Aces. There is one more round of dealing to go. Obama's people are asking the dealer to change the rules and cut the game off before all hands have been dealt, because he knows there may be another Ace coming Clinton's way (ie. the popular vote). If such a brazen thing were to happen, trust me, Hillary's friends and supporters, millions of them, would be much more likely to give up on such a crooked table and move to the next table, ie. vote for McCain.

[John B Sheffield]

Hillary Clinton is completely destroying The Democratic Party, her LIES Bosnia and Northern Ireland, the choice she has made of running a Dirty Campaign against Barack Obama rather than POLICY! - The World is starting to Laugh at Her! as they are shown these news clips daily!

Now Hillary calls for Delegates who the VOTERS have MANDATED to ENDORSE Barack Obama to Change to her, this is a low as you can get! someone in The Democratic Party has to tell her and her campaign team to Go NOW! and never return.

[mrthomas]

gut busting funny to read these posts - in particular how many arrogant people think they have the corner on truth, and those threatening to cross party lines if he/she wins the nomination. for every person who feels one way, there are an equal number who feel the opposite. you are all deadlocked, polarized and in no way are affecting the outcome of anything. you might as well not vote at all.

[Clark]

If you vote McCain simply because your candidate of choice loses the party nomination, you should strongly reconsider why you vote at all. Vote the issues and status of our country, bitter votes cast to spite candidates will not benefit our government.

[cal]

Last time I check this is the US. How could anyone support a man that goes to a church for 20 some years - a church that is run by a raciest US hater. You obama supporters need to get real. This man will nevor be president of this country. take him and yourselfs and move out of this country. You all are bad news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wanakee]

Clinton has lost. She has only a 5% chance of winning the nomination, to Barack's 95%. It's time to rally around Obama today. Right now. End this facade and divisiveness that the Clintons continue to perpetuate. She has no chance. Put her lights out. Slam the door. Nail the coffin shut. Anybody got a hammer?

[Bob Dobolino]

No more Comments sections in the news!!

(Right, only approved people should be able to comment, those certified as intelligent or approved by the government. Anyone who disagrees, out!)