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

[Part Native2]

If Mr. Obama is at fault for listening to a racist pastor for 20 years (assuming he has spilled this stuff each weekend), what has Hillary said in Black churches in the last 2 years when she goes after the Black folks for votes.

When Bill needed spiritual help after “little Bill’s head” overruled big Bill’s sense of right & wrong, why was Pastor Wright an "ok" part of the "come & pray for my forgiveness" group?

When Hillary spoke (not her pastor) and used provocative words that were clear attacks toward Washington and our government, American’s should look at Hillary’s words vs. Barack’s pastor’s words, before they pass judgment on Barack.

Hilary’s words:
“When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I’m talking about!”

So, is the term plantation meant to offend or show alignment with Black voters sitting in the church?

“on behalf of a government that left you behind, that turned its back on you!!!.”

Was this meant to show alignment with White voters as she performed her chameleon act in front of Black voters sitting in the church?

Sources; http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/17/clinton.plantation/
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/17/nyregion/17speech.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Selma Alabama, about 1 year ago
Location: A rally to honor MLK Jr. Hilary uses a tone described to be, “in perfect angry African American style”, (ala Rev Wright)

“I DON’T FEEL NO WAYS TIRED,”… “I COME TOO FARRRR FROM WHERE I STARTED FROM. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT THE ROAD WOULD BE EASY.”…

Is mimicking diction used by the Black plantation slaves meant to offer a position of Black support while caring a tone believed to resonate with Black voters?
Trying to sound southern:
http://www.spike.com/profile/breitbart/video/2829104

Hillary Clinton speaks against US government in mostly black audience to show AIDS as a black concern only (using the white woman analogy)
Location: Howard Univ. WASH DC

“Let me just put this in perspective: If HIV-AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34 there would be an outraged, outcry in this country.!!!”

It seems so easy for some to be had on racist comments from a Black Pastor and yet be unable or unwilling to deal with race manipulation from a White Hillary!!!

[Lou]

The way to end the problem is for Obama to quit and tell his followers to back Clinton. Most Obamidiots will do anything he says -- if he said they should dance in their underwear with green wigs, well, our streets would look pretty unusual. Telling them they need to support Hillary Clinton for the betterment of our country -- of course which includes the party -- would hardly be a stretch. After all, he has said she's a great leader at least in his candid moments. Of course he may not feel that way, but he has siad words to that effect. That's what politicians do. But the same could not be said if Clinton were to quit. At least three out of ten of her followers are fine with McCain if Obama is the alternative. Obama has divided us, and divided us deeply. He and his Kool-Aid selling skills can bring us together, but only if he eats crow now and tells his adherents to support Clinton.

[tc]

It's sad to see so many white Americans now clamoring to lecture minorities about racism. We've got a long, long way to go in this country.

[Former Democrat]

Obama is the worst canidate. Anyone thinking he will win in November is fooling themselves. No experience, no talent and if you think the preacher was bad, wait until he gets the nomination and Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson start hanging around. (Isn't it strange they are not around now?) My spouse is black and can't stand him either. As far as Kennedy and Kerry, to me they are traitors, Kennedy to Carter in 1980 and Kerry to Ohio in 2004. Edwards wouldn't even speak to him after he wouldn't stand up for Ohio. Sad, sad, sad

[Bob Dobbs]

Frankly, there is only one way to settle this: I propose a cage match with chain saws. I mean, can you imagine the TV ratings for this? It would be better than American Idol! We could call it DEMOCRATIC PARTY - DECISION 2008: BEYOND THUNDERDOME!!

Imagine the promotional tie-ins from McCulloch Chain Saws and Buzz II, not to mention this summer's box office hit, Texas Chainsaw Massacre IV: The Musical.

This way, we could have decisive conclusion to the most thrilling nomination season in the recent history of the Democratic party. You would not need Super Delegates or shady back room deals settled in smoke-filled rooms by ruthless power brokers. Nope. We're talkin' about a red-blooded American spectacle. And all I ask is for the cable distribution rights. Whaddya say? Are you with me, people?

[Eric Mitchell]

This talk about the party being shaken to pieces by continuing the primary is nonsense; if we can't bear it, then we're not much of a party. I don't believe that. Whoever wins, we'll rally behind. We'll lose some defectors (inflaming passions with insults helps ensure it) but gain others. Ideas to wrap it up early seem to be between those who can't stand the unknown and those who don't want to leave the choice to us.

Let the remaining states have their say. Denying them will only lead to the more situations like Florida and Michigan. Ending the debate early (or preventing it altogether with a national primary day) removes our chance to "try before you buy". I welcome seeing the problems exposed in advance, and seeing how the candidates handle pressure long before we decide to let them lead our country through the world's problems.

[Gary Earl Ross]

Through incompetence, stubbornness, lunkheaded policies and malignant thinking, the Bush administration has handed the Democrats the White House on a golden platter. Unfortunately for the nation, the Dems seem intent on handing it back. I have a bet with my ex-wife that the next president will be a Republican. Trust me, I WANT TO LOSE THE BET. Winning the $100 will be a small comfort the next time my son has to go back to Iraq or some other hometown kid comes home in a box.

[kg]

If Osama Bin Laden is a TRUE Terrorist, I hope he helps USA atleast once and BOMBS all Clinton's.

Its pathetic to see LIARS getting 40% votes. Are these voters wearing BLUE SKIRTS?

[Harry Grace]

Billary is going to take a flame thrower to the Democratic Party, the Constitution, civil rights, human rights, anything, to fulfill their greed lust for power. I, for one, feel if the superdelegates take this election away from the will of the majority of the people and hand it to Hillary I Took Sniper Fire in Bosnia Until I Got Busted By You Tube Clinton, will work tirelessly to make sure as many Obama voters as possible go to Nader. If that happens, they need to just change the name from Democratic Party to Clintoncratic party.

[Mensan Girl]

Obama camp has turned the presidential camp into A BIG CIRCUS. Obama girl, racist Hitlers. black panthers, moslem nut jobs, Michelle whining again and again despite her status. What happened here? Obama doesnt win big primaries because the republicans cant vote in primaries. Obama wins caucuses because the republicans can meddle and stand behind him. Republicans are messing up the DNC elections. Obama should step down now. If he does not then clearly he is another republican messing up this election.

[nelsy]

Everybody knows that Omaba got to this point, thanks to the MACHO white men, including the reporters like Matthews, that are killing two with one shot (a black and a woman). Their are not supporting Obama, because, they are crazy about him. They very well know that Hillary will beat Mc Cain, big!. But, "A WOMAN PRESIDENT, AND A CLINTON?, NO, NO..! LET'S GO FOR MC CAIN,he's better for us."

As far as I can see it, Hillary is already a WINNER!. With all the huge disadvantage that she's having (media and
financial support), she's still running neck to neck with Obama, regardless of OPRAH buying him supporters.

PLEASE PEOPLE, DO YOUR HOME WORK!

[robert]

stop with these racists remarks!

How can you call Obama, a man with a white mom that grew up with nothing but white people a racist against white people.

Just listen to yourselves. :-(

And how can you guys say these things about the Black community?
We love the Clintons so much that we voted for Bill to be the president before Bush.

But when faced with a choice between Obama and Clinton, we'll choose Obama.

We like Obama because, most importantly, we know that he can bring people of different races together.

Because you have no idea how much we - the Black Community - as a people want to be accepted, especially by the race which pushes us away the most - The White Community.

[Nobanana]

Let voters decide! The more you push Hillary, more people will react for her favor. Howard Dean is responsible for all these mess. Obama is really scare of losing horribly in Pennsylvania. That's why they are pushing hard undemocratically. George Soros has something to do with it.

Obama is dangerous. He is like Dr. Frankenstein. He has created his own monster: the race card. Yeah he has push for it. Changing name from Barry to Barak indicates something.

He will not have all the pledged delegates he needs and won't get the nomination without the super delegates. So he decides to bribe, as he did with Yoyo Richardson.

No the fight will not stop. Let all voters cast their vote. We cannot dis franchise ten more states.

[rcint]

Am I missing something here? 81% of Obama supporters will vote for Clinton, if she gets it, and 72% of Clinton's supporters will vote for Obama if he gets the nomination. How is this bad? In either case, the glass is more than 72 % full. There is no such thing as 100% unity - unless its Russis. 72% plus sounds pretty good to me.

[virginian]

I think that Obama is going to have to tackle the Democratic Rednecks of this county. They are all through the north, south, east and west. The NASCAR folks, the fisherman, the WWF folks, and so on. Let me explain something, and let me be very clear, they may have been Democrats until now. With the Wright stuff and Obama's mean white people approach, it is impossible for him to accommodate these folks. They know the real story and remember what has happened. Affirmative action set the poor whites aside so the black folks could get in front of the line. And what is going on today. A National Black caucus. What? The have kept silent hoping to help the nation. In the past they have embraced the Democratic Party also in an attempt to vote against the corporate greed and inequalities. But now, with so many businesses in the dumps and so many factories closing, those thoughts are beginning not to hold water. Remember, these people are Democratic voters. Obama needs to bring out the truths about what has happened since the 60s and his wife the same, and get away from that white hating church. How dare he attempt to unify the Spanish and oriental and Indian and middle eastern and Russian and European and African and the rest to all of us who make up America with those unhealthy statements and attitudes. Do you really hate us? Let's not destroy America.

[Josh N.]

The funny thing about this whole thing is the article gave no real solution. Superdelegates are the people that got us in this mess. They should have seen this coming after Clinton's comeback in New Hampshire.

As far as Obama's preacher...GET OVER IT WHITE AMERICA HE DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING RACIST AND FURTHERMORE HIS ASSESMENT THAT 9-11 WAS CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST WAS

*DRUMROLL*

100% TRUE

I guess the 9-11 commission report is racist and unpatriotic too right?

[Eliduc]

Fourteen associates and friends of the Clintons were convicted in the Whitewater scandal. Bill Clinton pardoned many of them before leaving office. Then there was Filegate and Travelgate where Hillary had career employees fired in order to reward her friends and supporters with lucrative contracts.... and all the other "Gates". Now we have her blatantly lying about ducking non existent bullets in a lame attempt to scam the voters and than saying in our faces, "so what" and at the same time refusing to release her income taxes. Yesterday Bill appealed to citizens of Pennsylvania to vote for Hillary so, " (We) can come back to the White House." Emphasis on "we" which begs the question, which one will really hold the power if she is elected? Doesn't this election seem to be too important to Bill, who has after all, already served as president? Anyone who votes for these two is crazier than Hillary who fantasizes she was in a fire fight and brought peace to Ireland. Enough! No more insanity ridden serial presidencies!

[Jonesy]

To suggest Richardson is a modern day equivalent of Judas would assume Hillary is the modern day equivalent of the Son of God.....quite the stretch, don't you think? To the best of my recollection, Jesus never dodged bullet fire, but reluctanctly accepted the lash and cross. Hillary, I've go the nails if you have the time.....

Whooo!

[Pat Buchanan]

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.

Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.

Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream.

Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks — with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas — to advance black applicants over white applicants.

Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks.

We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?

[Deena Kaufman]

By the rules of the game, Obama is the front-runner. Luckily the media and Obama supporters seem to be the only ones to recognize this. Hillary (I'm dodging bullets in Kosovo) Clinton, needs to acknowledge that and step aside. She is not owed the nomination and her staying in this race only divides the party. As a life-long democrat I will vote for John McCain before I vote for Hillary Clinton.

[JBS]

I am not a democrat but everyone saying "this needs to be a fight to the finish because thats what politics is", are being terribly unpragmatic. If you are a democrat, and you want to win, it should be matter of "what is politics", but a matter of whats best for your party. While it may be reasonable to argue that superdelegates forcing the end now would be bad for the party. To argue for a continued battle for the sake of it, lacks any substance as an argument.

[JohnG]

So two superdelegates who are undecided are demanding that the superdelegates make up their mind? Hello Kettle, I'm Pot, you're black.

[John]

Hillary can now be best described as a Liar and a Cheat. She changes the Goal Post in the Direction that she is kicking the Ball. Someone please tell her that the players dont determine the rules and that a race like a football game has rules. She was not born to be the President of America, nor can you marry some one to be the next president. You have to earn it.

After her Bosnia comment I wonder what else has she lied about.

She reminds of Bush when he was running for presidency for the first time and he used all the dirt in the world to win against McCain. Do we really need another Bush in the White House?

[Josh N.]

Also, most people that hate barack hate them either because they're candidate is getting her ass kicked and they cant stand it; or they are racists.

I dont buy the "Hillary is the best candidate" arguement because this is America for godsake. Nobody gives a damn about the issues. this is the same country that voted for a incompetant moron because "they'd liek to have a beer with him and he hates homosexuals."

So just go ahead and admit that you arent ready to vote for a black man just as there are those who dont want to vote for a female and cutthe crap....nobody's really buying it.

Racist? The preacher said absoultly NOTHING racist at all. get over yourselves please.

[Pappi]

Ignorance is a big problem in this country, stupid Hillary supporters and espinoza of a person. Obama is ahead in delegate counts simple. there is nothing as a stalemate. We only have a drag called hillary who doesn't understand that it's time for her to quit. The one with the majority counts wins.