NYP: THE DEM DILEMMA: NEITHER CAN WIN

New York Post ^ | March 6, 2008 | GEOFF EARLE

[OESY]

Despite a confetti drop and a confident victory speech Tuesday night, there is virtually no way Hillary Rodham Clinton could wrap up the Democratic nomination simply by winning the remaining 12 contests ahead.

Nor, for that matter, could Barack Obama - although he maintains a thin but significant lead over Clinton among the number of delegates who get to vote at the party's convention this summer.

For either candidate to clinch the nomination, they must rely on a group of roughly 350 uncommitted "superdelegates" - lawmakers, party bigwigs and insiders who get to vote however they want at the convention.

The scenario leaves the Democratic Party facing a stalemate with a variety of chaotic endgame scenarios - and a chance that a long, bloody contest could rip the party apart while giving Republican John McCain a leg up in his White House run.

The reason for the doomsday scenario: Democrats award delegates in each state on a proportional basis. So even when a candidate scores a resounding win - as Clinton did in Ohio Tuesday night - the loser still walks away with a sizable number of delegates.

The results from Tuesday night tell the story. Clinton had one of her best nights of the campaign, but she won a net total of only 12 delegates, according to an Associated Press count, barely making a dent in Obama's delegate lead.

The contests ahead in the remaining dozen states won't change the game in a meaningful way.

If Obama runs well in Wyoming (12 delegates) and Mississippi (33 delegates), where he is favored, he could come close to erasing the gains Clinton made in two big, populous states Tuesday....

[gridlock]

Which core constituency do the Democrats pander to, and which do they alienate? Decisions... decisions...

[Dan(9698)]

...his wife’s campaign now has him sequestered in a secure, undisclosed location

I'll disclose it. He will be at Central Wyoming College today. It is a two year college about two hundred yards from me.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

It will be very interesting how things play out to say the least. I think there are a couple of primaries before PA. And of course what Dean says now about Fla and Michigan’s delegates could change. So there's still much that can happen.
I am hoping though that the clintons desire for power causes them to do whatever it takes to secure the nomination. We all know what they do to people that get in their way. So with their lust for power being the only thing they really live for, I have to think she's got a great shot at the nomination. The superdelegates, pledged delegates, are probably the types that will cave into the pressure and smear tactics that the clinton machine will put on them. For the clinton’s its all about them, they could care less about the democrat party. And the delegates probably care more about living a relatively clam life than having to deal with the crap that will come their way if they defy the clintons.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

I heard it on Rush I believe that bloomberg was hoping to entice Obama into a third party run. I think rush got it from Armstrong Williams.

[EDINVA]

And these are the people who want to eliminate the Electoral Collage and re-write how the POTUS is elected?

[kabar]

For the clinton’s its all about them, they could care less about the democrat party. And the delegates probably care more about living a relatively clam life than having to deal with the crap that will come their way if they defy the clintons.

And so, the Dem party will commit political suicide just to keep the Clintons happy? I don't think so.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

Well, maybe you're right. But the whole democrat party doesn't have to commit suicide as you say. If a hundred of more delegates, and intimidated and threatened by the clintons, the entire party goes down in flames. What power does dean and the party leadership have versus the clintons? I think not very much. At the very least the clintons will promise to destroy the party if she's not the nominee. All those FBI flies will come into play, and campaign funding sources will be extinguished.

[kabar]

We will agree to disagree.

[PhilDragoo]

Hillary will steal the lock box with B. Hussein's
testicles from MeMeMeAllAboutMe-chelle

[mainerforglobalwarming]

Obviously we have no say in the matter, so this is all just glorified speculation. I believe the democrat convention starts August 25th. Hopefully it ends as well as the ‘68 convention did.

[potlatch]

Well, I was going to ‘add’ something to your graphic but after reading the text I think I will refrain!

Seems I recall one about a mirror..

[SunkenCiv]

Only Gore Can Stop a Meltdown
New York Post | March 6, 2008 | Charles Hurt
Posted on 03/06/2008 10:14:16 AM EST by Jedidah
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981304/posts

Only Gore Can Stop A Meltdown
The New York Post | 3/6/08 | Charles Hurt
Posted on 03/06/2008 10:57:21 AM EST by Kenny Bunk
Edited on 03/06/2008 11:04:32 AM EST by Admin Moderator. [history]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981338/posts

[SunkenCiv]

Obama: What’s in Hillary’s tax returns?
Hot Air | March 06, 2008 | by Ed Morrissey
Posted on 03/06/2008 10:53:08 AM EST by jdm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981333/posts

Hillary’s hidden tax returns harm Barry and the Dems in November
Red State | March 06, 2008 | by Mark Kilmer
Posted on 03/06/2008 10:40:53 AM EST by jdm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1981325/posts

Let’s hear it for John McCain! Check it out:

“In the face of her unwillingness to release her tax returns, Hillary Clinton has made the false case in this campaign that she is more electable because she has been fully vetted,” the memo stated. “When it comes to her personal finances, Senator Clinton’s refusal to release her taxes returns denies the media and the American people the opportunity to even begin that process.”

[Hiddigeigei]

"ONLY GORE CAN STOP A MELTDOWN"

Yeah! A southern white guy needs to step in and save the party of Jeff Davis! Wonderful idea!

[subterfuge]

Bottom line:

McCrazy will be our next POTUS.

[SunkenCiv]

Democratic Debacle (1964 convention, repercussions today)
America Heritage | July 2004 (cover date) | Joshua Zeitz
Posted on 07/28/2004 12:59:49 AM EDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1179981/posts

[devolve]

[potlatch]

Lol, “neither can win”, but someone’s gonna!! By hook or crook.

Good graphics. We need to be working on Obama, Hillary is easier for me to think of ideas for graphics.

[Teacher317]

That’s funny, the 17th Amendment basically changed the election of Senators from an appointment by officials to a popular vote. Now these Senators are going to go through a popular vote contest only to be chosen via an appointment by officials.

[IndyTiger]

I doubt if it will get to the convention. The super delegates will step in and select Obama...

I think you are right about the SDs stepping in, but I look for Hillary to be the choice. She can claim she has won the primaries in the larger states that the Democrats have to win (CA, NY, NJ, TX, OH, and should win PA) and that will sway their votes to her.