The USS Democrat- “Full Speed Ahead!”

Now that Hillary has had her big night Tuesday, winning Ohio and Texas (and cutting only about 8 delegates off Obama’s lead), the Democratic Party is heading for a possible disaster.

First of all, Hillary’s campaign is pushing for the Florida and Michigan delegates to be seated. That, of course, would represent a changing of the rules in the middle of the game. Is a compromise in the works? That may come in the form of a do-over, letting the primary be repeated, the reasoning here being that Obama did not really compete in those primaries. Also not yet decided is who would pay for the repeat primaries? No one seems to be stepping up on that front.

Then there is the matter of the Superdelegates, who have the option of voting however they wish in Denver regardless of which candidate has won the most primary delegates. How does Hillary justify that action? Easy (according to her). The New York Senator argues that the momentum is now going her way and she has won most of the big states, like New York, California and Texas. Thus, the superdelegates should vote for her even if Obama goes into the convention with the lead.

Like Rush Limbaugh, many conservatives (including me) are enjoying the sight of the Democrats rushing head-long toward the yawning crevice. As things appear now, Obama will, in fact, enter the convention with a delegate lead. If Hillary somehow succeeds in recapturing those delegates from Michigan and Florida, that will not sit well with Obama supporters. To use a football analogy, let’s say that one team had two touchdowns negated by penalties in the first quarter. Then in the fourth quarter, with that team down by 10 points, the refs decided to reverse those penalties and give those touchdowns back. Would that be fair? Hardly. If the Democratic voters of Florida and Michigan have their votes negated, they should direct their anger at their state political leaders who broke the party rules and caused the problem. Even with Florida and Michigan reinstated, Obama will still probably enjoy a delegate lead.

That leaves the Superdelegates, elected Congresspeople, senators and party hacks. Will they really adjourn to a smoke-filled room and overrule the voice of the Democratic voters who voted for Obama-especially the African-American voters? For Hillary to get the nomination in such a fashion will leave one-half of the Democratic voters furious and disillusioned. Will they just get over it and turn out for Hillary in the general election? I don’t think so.

And most importantly, what will be the reaction of the African-American voters who voted for Obama? For decades, they have voted overwhelmingly for Democrats, believing that only the Democrats would represent their interests. Will they conclude that they have been residing on the Democratic “plantation”, as many observers, black and white maintain? Will they decide that black interests would be better served by making all parties compete for their votes-and giving real consideration to other parties?

Nevertheless, the Democrats appear unable to avoid the disaster on the horizon. From listening to Clinton and her supporters, it appears that the Clintons will do what they have always done; they will fight tooth and nail to the bitter end. That means if they have to twist arms, make deals and blackmail Superdelegates in Denver, then that is exactly what they will do. For the Clintons, it is not about the party; it is about them.

gary fouse
fousesquawk

gary fouse on March 6, 2008 at 9:40 PM