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

[Rebel Girl]

At the moment, Obama has an almost unsurmountable delegate lead. It is virtually mathematically impossible for Clinton to beat him in the remaining primaries. The only way the uncommitted superdelegates can bring this to an end quickly is to get behind Obama to the point where Clinton understands that she cannot win the nomination and stops campaigning actively. Then Obama can start to focus on McCain and, hopefully, those who are REALLY committed to the Democratic Party will unite and make sure we win in November. But we have too many selfish people in the Clinton camp for this to happen.

[thebob.bob]

Hillary's, "If I can't have it no one can" mindset will destroy the Party and hand the Presidency to the Republicans. Obama is ahead in every measure. Hillary is living in her self-made and Media-supported fantasy land. It's time for her to step down.

[jeeff]

i think that regardless of your democratic stripe, you must acknowledge that it's a clever idea to have a superdelegate "quasi-convention" in the case of a stalemate rather than letting it drag through to the real convention. this allows democrats to shape the narrative and avoid the drumming up of expectations of bloodlust by the media and by republican talking points.

[AM Group]

Bottom line: Obama is finished.

He will never survive a general election.

More stuff about him is coming out. If the media hadn't patronized him and cut him such slack early on, and the truth had come out earlier, Obama never would've made it this far.

The Dem.s really are losers if they blow this ripe opportunity to claim the Presidency by betting on Obama.

We will leave this loser party, go Independent, and vote McCain over Obama. At least McCain is straight up, and Obama really has no plan to withdraw troops. It was all phony campaign rhetoric, just like his wink-wink anti-NAFTA stance.

No Obama. His followers are blind zealots.

[Martin]

It's a simple equation. Tally up who has the most scandals against them and their partner and then dump them. Bye Hillary! Obama currently has 3 hits and Hillary has a few hundred. The less targets the Republicans have then the easier for the Democrat spin doctors to defend their target and focus on McCains many weak spots. Hillary is just killing the Democrats right now by hanging on, even if she could win the nomination she could never win the Presidency because the dirt they can dump on her comes from all that bogus experience of hers. Even if you don't like Obama you can't deny that most people HATE Hillary and she will never manage to sway the electorate in her favor. Hopefully PA sees sense and votes against her and we can avoid any more delusional hanging on.

[George]

I am surprised at the amount of Lieberman-Dems and outright fake democrats making their positions on Obama known as if they speak for the majority of the democratic party. All this calling Obama racist is nothing different than what we are all hearing on the republican side, never mind the fact that he himself never made a racist speech, or the fact that Gerildine Ferraro made very racist commentary on the CLinton side, or the face that Obama himself is half white. Sounds like a good amound of fear mongering from the right, fearing the large threat McCain faces against Obama.

If and when the superdelegates get together and decide they will support Hillary against the will of the greater population of democrats who clearly support Obama, because they do not feel america is ready for a half black leader, they will have sealed away the black vote as well as the democratic leaning young and independant vote, two important votes a democratic ticket cannot win without. Hillary has done enough to anger these two populations already. There is no way she can convince them to come back into the fold after Superdelegates coup her nomination. That is not to say they will go vote Republican, but it is very likely to say they will all just stay home in November.

[wiggs]

For all of the people who are still hung up over what Mr Obama's pastor said really need to get over it. Mr Obama can't help what his own pastor says. There is a thing called "freedom of speech" and "religion outside of government". I am voting for Mr Obama, not because he is a black man. I am voting for him because he is the best man. Mrs Clinton is attacking and looking for things to defame him with because she know that she can not beat him. He is so busy defending himself, that he can't even get his policies out. She is so busy attacking and hoping that people will notice that whe doesn't really have any real policies at all. Is the word "MISSPOKE" the new politically correct word for "LIE"? What else might she have misspoken about. Honestly, whoever is not winning by a noticable margin after these next primaries regardless of who it is needs to withdraw from the race. If Mrs Clinton does or doesn't notice that she is hurting the party by fighting and using dirty politics. This isn't even the General Elections yet. If I were Mr Obama, after winning the nomination. I would not even think about pondering any inkling of a thought to have Mrs Clinton as a VP. The way that she is trying to get something on him now, imagine if he does choice her for VP. Mrs Clinton is very arrogant to even suggest that Mr Obama is to be her choice for VP. She isn't even winning. Its not even close.
Going back to Mr Obamas' pastor, he was only giving his own opinion of what he himself thinks.
Mr Obama, along with alot of other mixed heritage people out there are in a rather unique and also difficult situation. Mr Obama is black and white, I wouldn't really care if he was purple and green. If he is the best person for the job, so be it. I, myself, am a black american. I am not an African-American. I have never gone to Africa and don't really intend on going there either. What would somebody call a mixed heritage person? Mr Obama is the first person in a long time since MLK to really say anything positive about equal opportunity and the black/white divide. I hate to say it, Rev Wright was wrong but also right in some cases in my opinion. But at least Mr Obama showed that he may denounce the comments said, but he will never turn his back on a friend of over 20 years for an election. That is a true friend as opposed to Mrs Clinton saying that she would find a new church.

So just close your eyes and look past the skin color and listening with your ears and your heart and vote for who you really think can heal and bring together this broken and scattered country.

We give more money to other countries to help them out constantly, why can't we help our own people. We buy goods from China and abroad but have nothing in our homes that are made in USA. How can anybody say that they are proud to be an american and you don't even have on anything made in the USA. I bet even the USA T-shirt was made in China. Even the good from China are not even good quality anymore, but we still buy from them. We need plants in the USA to make our goods again. We gotta do something to take our place back as a superpower in the world. The US is probably as broke as Michael Jackson.

[Tman]

if its okay to deenfranchise FL and MI, why not the so called superdelegates. Take their votes away, and allocate the superdelegate vote based on who won the state. Obama won Maryland? allocate all the superdelegates in that state to him etc. that's the only way this mess can be settled. it will take balls from the DNC to do that, but lets not forget they are Democrats and they come with no balls. so this drama will go on until who knows.

[Difficult decision]

Until recently, I was undecided. I liked aspects of both candidates and disliked certain characteristics as well. However, I have now made up my mind - I think the best candiate for America's future is Barack Obama. His speech or race was intelligent, articulate and complex. Although I am not african american and intensely disagree with the sentiments about america from Wright, I do understand the anger. I accept Obama's argument that 90% of Wright's work and statements has been positive - especially in trying to care and inspire an impoverished community. I also accept his statement that he fully rejects Wright's racist comments. I think Obama's mixed background and has allowed him to understand and appreciate both sides. I think he is a pricipled man who understands that reconcilliation can only occur not by just rejecting anger but by understanding it and moving forward. I have also been disappointed by the Clinton campaign's reckless "gutter" politics and am saddenned that someone with the potential of Hillary Clinton has been so disappointing. Her attacks on Obama are destructive and since she does not have a chance at winning the nomination fairly, I wish she would focus more on how to accompish her goals - universal health care, middle class tax relief, ending the war in Iraq etc by supporting Obama's nomination for the Presidency rather than tearing it down so that McCain can win!

[lenotra]

These comments are hilarious. I'm sure that if Hillary thought it would get her any more votes, she would be sitting in Rev. Wright's church saying "Amen" to anything he said.

[Bruce]

to "wanakee"

it is interesting that Obama followers like you always seem to speak and attack in the most violent, vulgar, aggressive terminology

how "uniting"

don't let another smiling-faced Satan in through the back door - NO OBAMA.

[Bob]

Obama won some "red" states because of many reps voted for him there, not because they actually like him but because they hate Clinton. But anyway guys just throw the dice.

[Gary Prichard]

This is a Democratic primary to choose the Democratic nominee for President. Anyone on either side who is saying they will not support the Democratic nominee over against the Republican nominee, who promises to continue the war and the Bush economic program, needs to stop and examine his or her motivation. I think that Obama speaks to the best in America, but Hillary is a whole lot better than 4 more years of Bush-type government. Let's not allow the magicians in the Republican party to once again persuade millions of Americans to vote against their own self-interest by using issues like abortion, religious affiliation, pot smoking, etc. to manipulate our loyalty to the Democratic Party and America.

[Ben]

Barack is winning in delegates. That will not change, even if the last few primaries go as well as they possibly could for Clinton. Barack leads in the popular vote. Hillary could possibly overtake this, but it is highly, highly unlikely. Barack will likely have several hundred thousand more than Hillary. He will no matter what have won several more states than Hillary.

Their policies are very similar- why this fight to the death? Why is Hillary staying in the fight, wasting her donor's money, and hurting the democratic party? Barack has won! Her last ditch effort to convince superdelegates that he is not viable has backfired- indeed her lead amonst the SDs has been decreasing, not increasing!

And on an unrelated note- Why is everyone calling Pastor Wright racist? While he's clearly more than a little nuts, all of the wacko stuff he says has been anti-american, not anti-white. The one thing he said that even touched on race was that Hillary Clinton has never experienced being called 'nigger,' while he knows Barack has. Thats racist? It seems rather obvious to me.

Also, whats with the hating on Barack? What exactly has he done to be hated on? He has conducted an extrodinarly clean campaign, particularly for it being as close as it is. Personally, I'm fine with Clinton, but if anyone has earned some criticism it would be her with her negative and misleading campaigning! Am I the only one whos noticed that she is ten times more viscous then McCain? Shes doing his work for him, and because of this he can act like hes above negative campaigning. Sigh.

Hillary, if you had a chance, I would say stay in. But you don't, so you should go.

[Worried about November]

It's pretty sad to see some to of the positions being taken at this point. The race between these two started off as such a tremendous boost for the party and getting voters excited about participating in the election process again. Now, it stands poised to split the votes and propogate the Bush agenda for at least another 4yrs. I agree that Obama may not have a 20pg resume with flowing foreign policy experience or national security, but no one can argue with the fact that the guy is intelligent and willing to listen. Key leadership characteristics that have clearly been lacking the last 8yrs. Hillary is not the right choice and continues to overstate her "experience". It's unfortunate that if Obama is the nominee, there is risk that Democrats will support McCain and thereby another 4yrs of Bush policy, war and American arrogance.

[Tony Russo]

How anyone can say Hillary is credible after her BIG LIE is beyond me. She didnt lie about a relationship, she lied about her experience. She lied to us then insulted our common sense by telling us she misspoke. What kind of person lies to your face then refuses to admit to it? Obama, despite his pastor, has more character. He could have thrown his pastor under the bus, but instead chose to take the hard road and defend his position. To me thats character. Hillary is a monster. Oh yeah, im a proud 53 year old white Italian and ex-Hillary supporter. None of us want to admit, in public, that we're unconfortable with a black president. Some of my close friends were happy to hear about that pastors comments because it gave them a reason not to go with Obama. Before they were saying he was un-vetted, not enough experience. Hillary is desperate. She thinks thats shes owed the presidency after putting up with Bill BS. She lost and is bringing down her party. She doesnt care about anything or anyone. She just wants to secure a Clinton legacy for her daughter to slip in next. You cant trust a desperate person...especially a Clinton. Wake up people!

[ms]

Hopefully this will bring to light the holes in this process and force us to focus on what the democratic process should be where all votes count. What is the purpose of the priviledge of voting if our votes don't matter in the end?

Spoils to the winner of the most votes not the winner of the best back room wheeling and dealing.

It will personify the concept of "all men are created equal - but some are more equal than others."

[Lucy Brunswick]

The chainsaw comment is well received. This is not reality tv, this is the well-being of the nation we are talking about here.

Both candidates are flawed. One will have to yield to the other, perhaps by becoming the other half of the ticket. This country needs some serious political healing and it needs to start soon. I don't care which of them is president, so long as we don't elect another republican. People, all this anger is just self-indulgence. If you are real patriots, you will try to see past it so we can all move on.

[janetP]

"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."
Posted by: tc | March 26, 2008 at 12:01 PM

I beg to differ. From my perspective it looks like blacks (can you say Rev. Wright) are lecturing white people.

[srich]

What exactly is Obama hiding. His closest associates are the ones almost letting the cat out of the bag. Are there things we, the public should know about his professional and/or political associations?

[jlawler@rx.umaryland.edu]

Come on Hillary supporters. Grow up. It just was not your candidat's time and voting McCain is a childish "see what you made me do." I know many of you have spent a lot of your adult life hoping for Hillary as a candidate but it was just not meant to be. Senator Clinton is now trying every desparate measure she can think of. dragging the party down. The polls are trending in BO favor. Americans wont be swift-boated again. Senator Clinton has been caught in a blatant lie and wont release her tax returns. Think of the party, think of the country.

[cjNewark]

I am white but work in a town with a primarily African-american population. Why are some of you so indignant that Obama went to a church with strong (but sometimes inapproriate) language. That is the tradition of the African American Church. Try going to one, or put yourself in his place. He has become a Christian; a "good one" in my opinion. Four sound bites from 20 years do not a ministry make. He wasnt there for those sermons but admits her heard similar (how similar) things.

He didnt know he was running for presidents and people would try to find something to hate him for. Give him some understanding as he would for you.

I would appreciate your comments. I dont understand you if you believe in ending the war as soon as possible, if you believe in the working guy, if you want fair and high quality education and healthcare in your lifetime - you would vote for four more years of the same.

[AZ Rez Dude]

I love how everyone thinks that only Blacks are voting for Obama when most his votes are coming from male white dudes ages 18-36. I think people aren't getting the message Obama made in Phillly which is sad cause it was powerful, optimistic and realistic.

I agree with most when they say Clinton should set down, but unfortunatley i feel that won't happen, she's too thick headed and determined, its that angry soccer mom gene she's got that makes her a fantastic winner and horrible loser.

Obama / Edwards 08. John was a joy to watch when he debated Cheney in 04, let's see him go some rounds with the GOP VP candidate.

[ProudBlackRepublican]

I love these posts. I win either way. If/when Obama wins all you angry white folks will flock to our party. If Obama wins we will have our first BLACK president! Its a win win for me!! Keep fighting dummies. We are laughing all the way to November.
SUPPORT OUR TROUPS.
FINISH THE JOB. NO SURRENDER.
NO AMNESTY.
NO FREE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE. If you can t afford it, then you either need to work harder or you dont deserve it.

[NinaK]

"As Hillary tries to shift the focus off of the discovery by the press that she has an emerging pattern of significant misrepresentations (Bosnia, Northern Ireland, S-CHIP, FMLA), perhaps her own pastor has the best response to all of us regarding Rev. Wright. I think the press should take note as well, because things are not always so black and white, and before you demonize someone, perhaps you should have all of the facts first:

A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still tarnish the American dream. To evaluate his dynamic ministry on the basis of two or three sound bites does a grave injustice to Dr. Wright, the members of his congregation, and the African-American church which has been the spiritual refuge of a people that has suffered from discrimination, disadvantage, and violence. Dr. Wright, a member of an integrated denomination, has been an agent of racial reconciliation while proclaiming perceptions and truths uncomfortable for some white people to hear. Those of us who are white Americans would do well to listen carefully to Dr. Wright rather than to use a few of his quotes to polarize. This is a critical time in America's history as we seek to repent of our racism. No matter which candidates prevail, let us use this time to listen again to one another and not to distort one another's truth."

Dean J. Snyder, Senior Minister
Foundry United Methodist Church
March 19, 2008
Sharon
---------------------------
Isn't Hillary a Methodist? I beleive she is. She evidently does not believe in the goodness of her church!! Is she going to throw Senior Minister Dean J. Snyder under the bus as well?