Days Are Numbered In Democratic Race

With Decision On Mich., Fla. Delegates, A "Fixed FInish Line" Over Nomination Is In Place

(CBS)  A "fixed finish line" is in place for the determination of the Democratic Party nominee, says Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., who feels it is unlikely Sen. Hillary Clinton will remain in the race all the way to the convention.

"Until she decides that she can't win at the convention and makes a decision, it's going to stay open," Levin said on CBS's Face The Nation. "However, I think it's more than likely that within a week or two that Senator [Barack] Obama will have enough votes to claim that he's going to be the nominee."

However, with yesterday's ruling by Democratic Party officials over the disputed delegates from Florida and Michigan, Clinton advisor Mandy Grunwald said that Clinton still has a very strong case to make for the support of the party's superdelegates who will be the ultimate deciding factor.

“Over 17 million people have now voted for Hillary Clinton," Grunwald said, representing the "deepest and broadest coalition" needed to win in November.

She also warned of the sentiment voiced by some Hillary supporters at the outset of yesterday's meeting: "If a female candidate, the first successful one in history, goes into the convention leading in the popular vote and it's taken away from her, how do you think women are going to feel, heading into the November election?”

Avoiding an ugly convention battle, or a divisive general election turnout, is the main objective, said Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who believes Clinton will "do the right thing, because the stakes are way too high for America.

"I have great confidence that Hillary Clinton will do what's right for our party and for our nation and for all those people out there that are hurting - and are going to keep hurting if we let four more years of George Bush in the White House. That's what we'd get with John McCain."

Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa,, concurs that Clinton would not jeopardize the party, but continued to back her as the candidate best able to succeed in the key battleground states in November.

"The polls make it clear that on the states that are necessary for us to win the Electoral College, Hillary Clinton is by far our strongest candidate in the fall," Rendell said. "What are we doing nominating the weaker of our two fine candidates? It makes no sense to me.”

Nonetheless, Rendell thinks a joint ticket would "sweep the country," but it will only come about by Clinton and Obama coming together themselves.

"No politicians are going to be able to broker it," he told host Bob Schieffer. "The staffs, who have a little bit of animosity, as always is the case, can't be involved. I think Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have to sit down together and talk about the future of this country and talk about whether that is a viable option. It's up to the two of them.”

---

Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[sgtrds-e4]

It''s over. Barack is the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party. By this time next week Hillary will be in line behind him supporting him and then we can finally get on with kicking McCain''s as*s.

[sgtrds-e4]

There will not be a floor fight. This will not go to the convention. This will be decided on before the end of this week. Both parties know that a floor fight is political suicide in the General Election and neither party will allow one to happen and yes, they most certainly can and will stop Hillary from having one. By Wednesday morning the bulk of the super delegates will be on Barack''s side and this will be done. In Denver the party will show one united face to the American voters.

[amgiarc1-2009]

As a Hillary Supporter (and there are many of us...) we will never NEVER support BHObama. Never, Period.

Two years ago, I had the chance to sit in on a local RNC committee meeting to discuss how to overcome the unpopular Bush Agenda. The answer was to get and support anyone that was against Hillary. The RNC did not want to face a Clinton again... It was said that bluntly.

When Obama came along the Republican National Committee in Ohio, PA, and IL (those are the only states I am aware of... I am sure there are more) Voted or switched their party denomination to Vote for Obama... This was, I am sure to secure the nomination for Obama.

Wake up People!!!! I am afraid that you have all fallen into the RNC''s hands... And McCain will win and win BIG!

What is going to happen is this: The war will hit home again.. if you get my drift... shifting support from Obama to McCain.. National security will be front and center. BHO will then seem inexperienced! I know this.

Get ready folks. In addition, why would Dems. risk a sure thing for someone who is a maybe?

McCain will be your next president.

The only dem. Ohio will vote for is Hillary. Even the Blacks in Ohio are for Hillary.....PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!!

[amgiarc1-2009]

Hillary Fans.... DON''T WRITE HER IN!!!!!

That will make Obama win....

Vote McCain... that is the only way...

(only if Hillary doesn''t make ti)

[amgiarc1-2009]

To the Convention we go!!!!!

Keep the support Hillary Supporters.

[chuckamok]

Goodbye Billary Relentless Ambition Circus.

Goodbye purple-faced BubbaZipper lecturing anyone who dares to disagree.

No more infestation of the White House by the Clinton felons.

No more Clinton ooze staining the fabric of the nation.

No more pardons of fellow felons and PR terrorists.

No more pilferage of White House furniture and China.

No more Billary farce and lies.

[shippg-2009]

FYI: The Republicans have been fearing a Hillary run for President since she ran for Senator of New York (her "home state" LOL). If she is the nominee for Pres (and the delegate majority idea is thrown out - why not keep changing the rules as we go), every Republican will come to the polls to make sure she is defeated. They will be joined by a lot of Obama fans, apparently. Be warned.

[silvercrab-2009]

Mrs. Clinton will not "do the right thing." The Clintons have never "done the right thing." If Bill had "done the right thing" and resigned, the Democrats would never have lost the Presidency and the country would not have been so bitterly divided. This is the way the Clintons operate. The more bitter and divided things are, the better it is for them personally. They absolutely thrive in that kind of environment. When oh when will they just go to hell?

[shippg-2009]

In my last post I forgot to stress the "every Republican" part, as opposed to the normal low voter turnout. Lots of the Reps do not like Obama either, but a lot of them actually DO. I believe Obama will squash McCain, but McCain will squash Hillary. It has nothing to do with racism or sexism, but the blatant lies.

[chuckamok]

Maybe Obama can make Hill-Rod Ambassador at Large to Hot Spots.

Have her sit on her flak jacket, corkscrew into real danger, dodge real sniper fire running to the limo.

Get her "experience" BS up to snuff.

And, ya know, like RFK strode through history, Hill-Rod, ya know ...

[chuckamok]

"Well, you may get your wish"

Well ... YOU won''t. ;)

[shippg-2009]

I do not think it was fair that the committee gave Obama an extra four delegates. That one was weird. Luckily, the margin will be way more than four.

[emperorlotku]

Would Hillary please quit the race so the news organizations can concentrate on classier women like Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Amy Winehouse.

[shippg-2009]

Would Hillary please quit the race so the news organizations can concentrate on classier women like Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Amy Winehouse.

Posted by emperorlotku at 05:46 PM : Jun 01, 2008

______

LOL. Yeah, and then CNN can use the nickname "She who shall not be named" for Hillary instead of Paris!

[lbence-2009]

There are six people in the democratic party that would prevent me from voting for Hillary Clinton: Hillary, Bill, Mandy Grunwald, Anne Lewis, Harold Ickes and Terry McCauliffe.

[notopennshut]

Levin really has the gumption to express any opinion now! He is one of those who helped disenfranchised us Michiganders. And also for Grunwald to say that because Hillary has more vote, illegal and unsanctioned they may be, is another outright lie. Another woman who would prefer to lie, rather than to say that the rules are such that whomever has the MOST DELEGATES would be the nominee. Women who find that they are in an un-winnable situation should not try to change the rules or turn around and spread untruths. How can they claim that they want to be our leader when they have to cheat and lie, and claim unfair treatment to get there? They are the ones who should never be elected leaders for they can lead us nowhere, but down the drain. Hillary should seek the reasons for her failure and not lay blame for all her ills on everyone and everything else, but herself.

[shippg-2009]

Good words to hear from a Michigander!! Thanks.

[emperorlotku]

Why can''t the news media ask serious questions to Hillary? Like, Hillary, what are you going to do when the "philanderer-in-chief" embarrases the office of the presidency again? I am anxiously looking forward to the upcoming Vanity Fair article coming out soon that will detail Slick Willies behavior in recent times. The other question should be. Of the 109 million you and your husband have made, how much of that came from foreign intirests? Maybe another question should be. How could you have run such a rank amateur campaign? Obama ran circles around you on every level.

[shippg-2009]

Here''s a great quote from Ronald Brownstein of MSNBC:

"Assuming that she doesn''t mount a suicidal effort to wrench the nomination from Obama after he reaches a delegate majority, she will return to the Senate a much larger figure than when this marathon started."

It is true. She needs to start thinking of her legacy. Does she want to salvage her future or not?

[gatecrasher7]

Operation Chaos.....you gotta love it!!

Longer than the NBA playoffs. Operation Chaos successful! The fat lady is getting hoarse from incessant singing. Rules? What rules.

[bostonmurray]

To "cryhavoc2"

My Gawd, your are the poster child for blind allegiance.

Virtually everything you are spewing is false.


Here is the truth: Obama has the lead in delegates, raw votes (including FLA and MI), and the Polls. The polls show that if the primaries were held today, Obama would be winning by over 10%. By continuing to %u201Ccry%u201D, you only create %u201Chavoc%u201D. Is that your intention?

Hillary lost.
The majority hate her.
Please just shut up and go away.

[londoninny]

"There are six people in the democratic party that would prevent me from voting for Hillary Clinton: Hillary, Bill, Mandy Grunwald, Anne Lewis, Harold Ickes and Terry McCauliffe."

I agree, but would also had political hacks Lanny Davis who resembles best the "pussified male", Jim Carville and the smarmy Paul Begala.

[chuckamok]

"Well, if crooked Obama actually wins ..."

As if ANYBODY is more crooked than the Clinton felons.

You HRC fanatics take the cake.

The woman slimed your sisters for years, to keep BubbaZipper in office and out of prison, to keep her own venal political ambitions alive.

How can you all be such stooges? (oh, yeah, right ... undereducated, fearful of a half-black candidate, willing to vote for ANY woman, no matter what the stretch).

[chuckamok]

"In 2008, I will join with millions of my fellow Clinton supporters and vote for Hillary regardless of whom the DNC invents to fill its official ticket."

Good, more votes for McCain.

[dreamdesigns]

This isnt an entry level job. We have seen what happens when ya put in a person who isnt ready for being the president of the USA. So ill vote for mcain if obama is the choice. You ram something down my throut and ill ram something back....its pretty simple. Have fun.....billy

[geoffgw]

What Grunwald and the Clinton people are doing is obfuscating the true story of FL and MI and engaging in the kind of truth-shading that can only be carried off with a straight face by Lawyers = Politicians. It is this acrid smell that keeps feeling our national election room and it makes me resent them to the ends of the earth!! Now they are trying to create a gender uproar, please!!

[nanging3]

THE DNC JUST GAVE THE ELCETION TO MCCAIN !!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/removab
le-of-father-michael-pfleger

LINK TO REMOVE PFLEGER

[nanging3]

MCCAIN...CONGRADULATIONS... NO ONE I KNOW WILL VOTE FOR RACIST OBAMA...

[mrsender38]

Ding-dong the witch is dead Which old witch? The wicked witch Ding-dong the wicked witch is dead ...

[nanging3]

HILLARY OR MCCAIN...
OBAMA HAS GOT WAY TO MUCH BAGGAGE !!
JUST ASK ANY OF US TYPICAL WHITE PEOPLE WHO PAY TAXES SO YOU CAN KEEP YOUR LAZY BLEEP AT HOME AND WATCH JERRY SPRINGER ...

[nanging3]

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/removable-of-father-michael-pfleger


LINK TO REMOVE PFLEGER, OVER 1000 HAVE SIGNED ALREADY !!

[stretchbgi]

Are we really going to be this stupid? Are Democrats really going to mess this up before we even have a nominee? Clinton and Obama supporters need to stop trashing the other candidate and weakening us for November. Supporters of the two candidates need to stop pretending that all hell will break loose if the other candidate is nominated.

Let''s be honest... Both candidates would make strong nominees in November. Both candidates care deeply about this country (real caring, not the fake George W. Bush kind of caring). Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses. To continue leveling accusations and threats back and forth isn''t helping anything.

By all means, support your candidate, but once the nominee is decided, shut your mouth and get behind the nominee. No matter who the nominee is, he or she MUST defeat John McCain in November. The blind loyalists better not screw this up. This election is ours to lose. Even though the nominee might not be your candidate, nothing less than full-throated support will be acceptable.

[slayrre007]

As a DISGUSTED supporter of the Democratic Party....I am happy to announce that John McCain will receive my vote and every possible effort I give to make sure that all friends vote for John McCain in November.

The Democratic Party is a joke. They are backing a RACIST & ELITIST for President in Barack Hussein Obama.....add onto that the political workings of the Barack Obama campaign that made *** SURE that our vote in Florida AND those in Michican did not count...AND made sure a RE-VOTE never took place.

McCain in 2008....YOU HAVE OUR VOTE and YOU WILL WIN FLORIDA!

[yaelbelle]

Sit back and watch the Dems throw away another Presidential Election with their closed door meetings and back-room deals (DNC Rules Committee, anyone?) as, in all their arrogance, they foolishly send their weekest candidate to the General Election.

[libra127]

Here is the truth: Obama has the lead in delegates, raw votes (including FLA and MI), and the Polls.

Posted by bostonmurray at 06:19 PM : Jun 01, 2008

Sorry, but this is NOT the truth. While Obama is indeed ahead in delegates, Hillary is ahead in the Popular Vote. She is ahead EVEN IF you give Obama ALL of those who voted "uncommitted" in Michigan. Go to realclearpolitics.com and click on Popular Vote to see the numbers for yourself.

Hillary is ahead in the Popular Vote !

[stretchbgi]

Are we really going to be this stupid? Are Democrats really going to mess this up before we even have a nominee? Clinton and Obama supporters need to stop trashing the other candidate and weakening us for November. Supporters of the two candidates need to stop pretending that all hell will break loose if the other candidate is nominated.

Let''s be honest... Both candidates would make strong nominees in November. Both candidates care deeply about this country (real caring, not the fake George W. Bush kind of caring). Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses. To continue leveling accusations and threats back and forth isn''t helping anything.

By all means, support your candidate, but once the nominee is decided, shut your mouth and get behind the nominee. No matter who the nominee is, he or she MUST defeat John McCain in November. The blind loyalists better not screw this up. This election is ours to lose. Even though the nominee might not be your candidate, nothing less than full-throated support will be acceptable.

[slayrre007]

BARACK OBAMA ENDORSERS AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Fidel Castro - former President of Cuba

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Iran%u2019s President

Ahmed Yousef %u2013 representative of Hamas the terrorist organization and a mass social, political and religious movement.

Louis Farrakhan %u2013 leader of the Black Panther Party and Nation of Islam

Bill Ayers %u2013 terrorist radical who helped bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright %u2013 former Senior Pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ

Father Michael Pfleger -- the liberal activist and longtime friend and associate of Sen. Barack Obama,

[slayrre007]

KEY POINTS ON BARACK OBAMA

Only 143 days in the US Senate before running for the Office of President

Gave an anti-war speech in 2002 before entering into the Senate where his opinion really mattered but went ahead and voted for and supported ongoing war funding

%u201CI can no more disown Rev. Wright as I could disown my white grandmother%u201D then%u2026.less than two weeks later%u2026.he disowns Rev. Wright

Attended Rev. Wright%u2019s services for the past 20 years, was married by Rev. Wright, had his two daughters baptized by Rev. Wright%u2026.but wants the American people to believe he didn%u2019t know what Rev. Wright thought about this country%u2026.? %u201CNot God Bless American%u2026.God *** America%u201D. Nuff said%u2026

Made sure that RE-VOTING efforst were blocked in both Michigan and Florida because he knew he would lose both%u2026.so much for unifier of the people

Most liberal voting record among all Congressmen (so much for bi-partisonship)

The United States is at war%u2026yet Barack Obama has ZERO foreign policy experience

Two muslim fathers who spent significant time raising Barack%u2019s as a child

Michelle Obama who has clearly made direct racist and anti-American statements before and after the start of the campaign

Personal friends with and has done business with Tony Rezko a corrupt business man who helped finance Barack%u2019s political career in Illinios

[chuckamok]

"Hillary is ahead in the Popular Vote !"

Too bad the game is played otherwise. Too bad. Too bad. ;)

[libra127]

And while you''re at realclearpolitics.com, click on "General Election, National". You will see that in the Head-to-Head match-ups, Hillary is beating McCain by MORE than Obama is beating McCain.

Hillary is the stronger candidate against McCain for the GE.

[libra127]

Here is the truth: Obama has the lead in delegates, raw votes (including FLA and MI), and the Polls.

Posted by bostonmurray at 06:19 PM : Jun 01, 2008

Sorry, but this is NOT the truth. While Obama is indeed ahead in delegates, Hillary is ahead in the Popular Vote. She is ahead EVEN IF you give Obama ALL of those who voted "uncommitted" in Michigan. Go to realclearpolitics.com and click on Popular Vote to see the numbers for yourself.

Hillary is ahead in the Popular Vote !

[slayrre007]

REASONS WHY HILLARY CLINTON IS LOSING

She was outspent nearly 2-1 in this campaign (some states 3-1)

A lot of Red states (states that will vote Republican) voted for Barack Obama early on in order to keep Hillary Clinton out

Hillary did NO real campaigning in the next 11 states following Super Tuesday which allowed Barack to build his lead

The media protected Barack Obama and refused to expose his radical past

The media showed tremendous bias and prejudice towards Hilliary Clinton (see Kieth Obermann, Chris Matthews, Tim Russert, etc)

Barack Obama%u2019s amazing and very questionable funding coming from two of the poorest groups in all past elections (college students and blacks)

Blatant prejudicism by the black community giving 90% plus of their vote to Barack because his skin color is black DESPITE the Clinton%u2019s 30 years of supporting, working, and fighting for minorities.

Political jealously and chauvanism toward Hillary and closed door promises by Barack to many of the older established Democrats (Kerry, Kennedy, Richardson, etc)

The panic and push to end this election by forcing the nomination process to end early and pressuring the Superdelegates vote for Obama

Delegate math supported Obama because of DNC garbage caucases%u2026. something that disappears during the general election and weakens the democrats chance for victory in November

[libra127]

Too bad the game is played otherwise. Too bad. Too bad. ;)

Posted by Chuckamok at 07:42 PM : Jun 01, 2008

Yes, I agree. But it sends a strong message to the remaining superdelegates and both candidates are dependent on the SD to win the nomination.

[slayrre007]

BARACK OBAMA ENDORSERS AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Fidel Castro - former President of Cuba

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Iran%u2019s President

Ahmed Yousef - representative of Hamas the terrorist organization and a mass social, political and religious movement.

Louis Farrakhan - leader of the Black Panther Party and Nation of Islam

Bill Ayers - terrorist radical who helped bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright - former Senior Pastor of the Trinity United Church of Christ

Father Michael Pfleger - the liberal activist and longtime friend and associate of Sen. Barack Obama,

[slayrre007]

The GREED of the DNC%u2026by supporting Obama for President because he has brought a new bloc of voters (young people) they%u2019ve traded in possibly strengthening the future of the party while sacrificing the best most experienced person to be President of the United States. Clearly%u2026.resume-wise, experience, and knowledge of policy makes Hillary Clinton%u2026BY FAR%u2026the best candidate to lead this country. Instead of supporting that%u2026they are looking out ONLY for their party%u2019s future interests instead of what is best for the American people.

BARACK OBAMA IS YOUR TYPICAL POLITICIAN WILLING TO SELL HIS OWN GRANDMOTHER IF IT FURTHERS HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER. HE HAS NO HISTORY OF BRINGING CHANGE, NO FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE AT A TIME OF WAR, AND A HISTORY FILLED WITH QUESTIONALBE FIGURES.. THAT EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT.

[slayrre007]

KEY POINTS ON BARACK OBAMA

Only 143 days in the US Senate before running for the Office of President

Gave an anti-war speech in 2002 before entering into the Senate where his opinion really mattered but went ahead and voted for and supported ongoing war funding

%u201CI can no more disown Rev. Wright as I could disown my white grandmother%u201D then%u2026.less than two weeks later%u2026.he disowns Rev. Wright

Attended Rev. Wright%u2019s services for the past 20 years, was married by Rev. Wright, had his two daughters baptized by Rev. Wright%u2026.but wants the American people to believe he didn%u2019t know what Rev. Wright thought about this country%u2026.? %u201CNot God Bless American%u2026.God *** America%u201D. Nuff said%u2026

Very personal friends with RACIST Rev. Michael Pfleger of the Trinity United Church of Christ

Made sure that RE-VOTING efforst were blocked in both Michigan and Florida because he knew he would lose both%u2026.so much for unifier of the people

Most liberal voting record among all Congressmen (so much for bi-partisonship)

The United States is at war%u2026yet Barack Obama has ZERO foreign policy experience

Two muslim fathers who spent significant time raising Barack%u2019s as a child

Michelle Obama who has clearly made direct racist and anti-American statements before and after the start of the campaign

Personal friends with Tony Rezko a corrupt business man who helped finance Barack%u2019s political career in Illinios

[chuckamok]

"BARACK OBAMA IS YOUR TYPICAL POLITICIAN WILLING TO SELL HIS OWN GRANDMOTHER IF IT FURTHERS HIS PROFESSIONAL ..."

A perfect description of either Clinton.

[slayrre007]

"BARACK OBAMA IS YOUR TYPICAL POLITICIAN WILLING TO SELL HIS OWN GRANDMOTHER IF IT FURTHERS HIS PROFESSIONAL ..."

A perfect description of either Clinton.

YES....THEN ONCE YOU EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD AND DROP OBAMA''S "DIFFERENT KIND OF POLITICS" SPEACH...YOU ARE LEFT WITH BARACK...A CANDIDATE WITH NO EXPERIENCE, VERY QUESTIONABLE AND DANGEROUS ASSOCIATES, AND NO HISTORY OF CHANGE.

NOW...HOW THE HELL DO YOU VOTE FOR SOMEONE LIKE THAT...??? YOU DON''T...!

[chuckamok]

"NOW...HOW THE HELL DO YOU VOTE FOR SOMEONE LIKE THAT...??? YOU DON''''T...!"

Right. I vote for McCain.

Getting rid of the Clinton scumbag duo is just a bonus. ;)