NO AND THEY BETTER NOT. THEY SHOULD SEAT THE DELEGATES IN A WAY THAT NO BODY BENEFITS FROM IT DURING THE PRIMARY BECAUSE THEY ALL SIGNED TO NOT COUNT THESE TWO STATES AND TO COUNT THEM WILL MAKE NO SINCE UNLESS THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE THE NOMINATION AWAY FROM OBAMA AND GIVE IT TO CLINTON.

In a nomination this close, Florida and Michigan should be allowed to have their votes counted and delegates fully seated.

If Obama can only win by not allowing 2 states to be counted, then he is not much of a winner!!!

WILL NOT HAPPEN. Even if Hillary intends to stir up a riot outside the building this weekend. I'm glad her lack of leadership abilities is coming clear for the entire WORLD to see.

The math still does not work for HRC, it's all about the supers now.

By Jesse Jackson Jr. January 19, 2006
"Fighting for human and constitutional rights is a theme, and a strategy, that could keep Democrats together for the next fifty years, election after election. It's time to begin a lofty fight to add the right to vote to the Constitution–and paint a truer picture of most Republicans as undemocratic. It's time to stand up and insure every American's right to vote to have that vote fully protected and to have it fairly counted."

The voices from FLORIDA and MICHIGAN have to be heard!

The Democratic Party never intended to not seat any delegates from Florida and Michigan. The party wanted to ignore the early contest and force them to revote - which would have been their followint the rules. But for the Obama campaigns resistance there would have been a new primary in both states scheduled by now. But, they have seen that if they let Florida and Michigan vote it would be two more huge losses for Obama so they did not let them revote.

Now, the Democrats may have to simply write off Michigan and Florida because Obama can not afford for them to count.

We are seeing Obama's inability to lead, right now. This is his party the rules committee will do what he wants and all he want is someone to blame other than him when the voters in Michigan and Florida are told they don't count.

FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN SHOULD THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE RE-ELECTING THE GOVERNORS OF THERE STATE. DO NOT BLAME THE DNC. THEY PUT RULES INTO PLACE SO OBIDE.

PUT THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS, (GOVERNORS OF THERE STATE) POINT BLANK.

Wolf,

Could you and CNN please stop being lackeys and sympathizers for Clinton???

Thanks.

OBAMA, 2008!

It is irrelevant. Senator Clinton signed off on the rules as they currently stand. She agreed to them. She also, though not expressly stated, agreed to any consequences of those rules. The consequences happen to be MI and FL delegates not being seated. A debate over whether or not it will hurt or help is moot as the simple fact remains that she agreed to the rules as currently constituted and all the consequences thereof. She doesn't like the consequences and is now trying to change the rules ex post facto.

If we should count every vote, and everyone's vote counts, then how do we count the voters who stayed home in MI and FL because they were told by their Party the votes wouldn't count?
It is impossible to have a solution that everyone will like at this point. We have no Solomon as the judge.

I'd like to see them try and still think they have ANY SHOT of winning in November.

Yes FL and MI should count (even tho the clearly broke te rules and are now crying like children about it) BUT it should in no way be a game changer. Simple fact is that we need FL and MI to win in the general.. even though FL will clearly go repub

Of course it should be moved. If Obama was in the same position as Clinton he would be fighting for it too. Come on guys lets be honest with ourselves. Everyone's vote should count. It should not matter who you support.

They can, but MUST NOT.

Rules are rules. Either the DNC should not have set these rules, or now that it has, it should honor them. If nothing else, as a sign of respect for the other 48 states who abided by the rules, FL and MI must be punished. If they then want to cut off their collective nose, and vote for McBush in November, then let them.

If the goalpost is moved, all future Democratic primaries will be chaotic. Each state will do whatever they want, and then in the end will get their delegates seated any way. The DNC will be wise not to set such precedent.

Most Hillary supporters in the blog are actually neo-cons pretending to be a Hillary supporters. I know Hillary supporters aren't as delusional as Hillary.

Wolf… I pray the DNc abide by the rules.. When change the rule of the party what kind of message are we sending is that we can break the rule and win. I beieve that is wrong message.

God's will be done.

If you read the history of these United States of American and put yourselves in the place of American Indians, African Americans, and Asian Americans first and second generation, Japanese American first and second generations, and Hispanic first, second and three generation. White Americans would keep their head down in shame.

Wolf - I don't think so. The Rules are Rules…let's not get it twisted. Nice try.

One thing we can all be thankful for is that it was Gore, not Hillary, who was in the "Presidential tie" in 2000. If it were her, she would have destroyed the country in her quest to win, much like she is doing today with the Democratic Party…

The issue with FL and MI is more about the general election than about the nomination. If the DNC does not allow these states to participate in the convention, there is no way the Dems can win either state.

Obamacans should stop whinning about Clinton trying to steal the election. There is plenty of finger pointing in both directions. Besides, you are sounding like the Bush Campaigh in 2000 during the Florida debacale (delegates matter, not popular vote).

Lets move the goal posts to Hilary -LAND and still she cannot ctach up with OBAMA on delegates. This is the fact the Clinton camp is angry the American people are seeing.

Well here it is folks now they are trying to take it away from us, the young, these old foggies are always talking about how we are the future and that we are going to lead this country into the future and now they dont want to play by the rules and want to move goal posts and you wonder why the young don't vote.

1. Why were rules created
2. Are the only for some people
3. No rules free for all

Leave the goalposts as they are. Michigan (my home state) and florida both knew the DNC rules and possible repercussions before they decided to move the primary dates. Neither Hillary nor Obama were complaining when the punishments were set, and Obama shouldn't be punished for leaving his name off of Michigan's ballots. He was following the rules.

Seating the delegates is just another Clinton ploy to weasle her way into the white house. Can we really trust someone who tried to sell a gas holiday to people she obviously believes are too ignorant to get that the oil companies would have just hike their prices?

Wolf,
We already know that Barack is the likely nominee for the Democratic Party (and has been for weeks). He has already secured a majority of the "Pledged" delegates, and is steadily gaining Superdelegates by the day. Why would we "pander" to 2 states that clearly broke the rules.

On another note, if you want to argue the "electability" of a candidate. Need I remind you of the PETER PAUL VS. CLINTON Trial that the mainstream media wants to ignore. I bet the RNC will just salivate at the chance to break this story should Hillary become our nominee (since CNN won't). Google PETER PAUL VS CLINTON for details.

Your Bias is showing again Wolfe!! Can we have a little objective journalism from you once in a while. You would just love Clinton to steal the nomination from Sen Obama won't you Wolfie.

The only way that a goal post move will stop Senator Obama from becoming the nominee is if the DNC Rules Committee does a move to the Republican Winner Take All position.

no they won't.

Oh my goodness!!! Enough already! They broke the rules, the delegates cannot be seated based on January's primary…period! That primary was supposed to be invalid, so several people did not go out to vote…it would've been a waste of time. I know I wouldn't have wasted my time if my leaders in WI were so petty, juvenile, and insubordinate as to break the well-known rules like the leaders in FL and MI. Either do a re-vote or end the discussion. That is the only fair solution.

Obama/Clinton '08

It’s sad some are blaming the DNC and others are blaming Obama campaign for the issues with FL & MI. We all know the facts, Hillary is using this for her own personal gains, Obama has his reservations to protect his own gains, DNC is squeezed by FL & MI state level decisions that make them look bad. GOP is no where better on this but not able to figure out how they got away with their ½ delegate rules for FL & MI

and "creative woody" is an idiot. "2025 is what is needed in January".

First, 2025 is not any number relevant to January. Delegates don't count in the General Election. Electoral vote count in the General Elec., and Hillary has MORE (many more) of those than Barack!

Second, its NOvember, not January when we vote. lol

Get it right before you start to open your mouth

If the so called Super Delegates would do their job they would not have to move anything. It could be over tonight if they would do what they are put there to do. Obama is strong, my God he is fighting on two front right now and is doing fine.
NAVY Veteran for Obama

There is a reason why the goalposts on a football field are cemented into the ground:so neither team can move them.

1. LET EVERY SINGLE VOTE COUNT! THERE ARE 50 STATES IN THIS COUNTRY.

2. SUPERDELEGATES GO WITH THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. MANY OF THEM ARE GETTING BULLIED AND BRIBED WITH BIG CHECKS TO GO WITH OBAMA IN AREAS THAT HILLARY ACTUALLY WON.

3. IF THE DNC/PRESS CONTINUE TO BLACKBALL HILLARY….VOTE MCCAIN.

The people know who the best candidate is…even if they won't admit it. Hillary.

What's your point?

wolf blitzer or whatever you call yourself every one know you want queen hillary to win,you and hillary will be very happy if this socall goalposts wore to move,you can see this all over your face each and everyday hillary your queen cannot win so get this in your thick head.

At what point does this end. HRC is not the Democratic Nominee. Her political career now rest on getting Obama elected. If he loses than her lose is magnified. The Clinton legacy is at stake. If they are the reason for the Dems losing the White House than no longer will they get the Red Carpet treatment.

The DNC should follow their rules. What happens in four years if other states do the same thing. Everyone needs to learn that for every action there is a reaction.

To clinton supporters: many are saying the goalposts should be moverd because obama cannot beat mccain. I understand now. Her supporters do not care if every vote should count as long as the states she wins does. Well, that will explain why her supporters and clinton believe she has the popular vote while excluding the 5 caucus states. the reason she and her supporers believe the uncommitted votes in MIshould not count. Her supporters are not for a democracy, but a monarchy. better yet, maybe we should not vote at all. hope her supporters alone will be enough for her to win this election.

How about Obama's Fake Uncle???????????????????????? Liar that he is; he is no better politician….true colors come out…keep listening for further updates!

Well, THEY SHOULD!! And it wouldn't be "moving the goal posts"…that sounds negative. What it would be is INCLUDING MILLIONS OF PATRIOTIC VOTERS.

I adore you Wolf, but this headline is "baiting". Why are you asking a loaded question to get the nasty commenting Obamabots to go off on a hateful rampage of blogging. Come on Wolf…is that crabby old geezer CAfferty rubbing off on you?

The TRUE Democrats and people who don't want McBush will do the right thing by the country. It's as simple as that.

IF HILLARY IS THE NEXT US PRESIDENT BE PREPARED AMERICA, FOR WARS WITH IRAN, NORTH KOREA AND RUSSIA.

This is so unamerican…it stinks! How dare someone change rules to meet the demands of the so called powerful Clintons. What does this say about our government, if we continue to not follow the rules? This is shameful. I am done with this whole stinking mess!
What about violation of rules? Let the Delegates vote in November as was stated at the beginning.

The goal posts will not be changed. Senator Obama only needs 48 Delegates to clench the nomination!!!

Obama 08/12

Only with your help, Wolf, which I hope will take some just heat from the light of history.

Let count all votes as Fla and MI voted in January Primaries. Count all votes DNC…

Wolf

Why are we asking questions like this that everybody already knows the answer too? I think anybody who has any decent grasp of basic mathematics will understand that any senario put forward would still leave clinton well out of reach of winning this nomination. The margins she would have to make up make her chances of doing so vertually improbable. she has lost this nomination any way you choose to look at it, period.

Wolf,
The way I see it and anyone that has been in the Democrat party longer then this past 16 months knows that you have the Kennedy Demo,s and the Clinton Demo's in which don't really get along.
Look how all this played out people and you will understand why Hillary is getting slammed by the Democratic party and I am not sure but this is what Bill Clinton is trying to point out.
With that said Howard dean is a Kennedy Demo and over half of the DNC chair people are to, so this will go with what ever Obama needs and wants to win but lose Against McCain when people smarten up in the fall. I am a Democrat and have been for 30 plus years and I will never vote for Obama or any one that the Kennedy's back

Moving the goalpost would NOT really make much of a difference in the nominating process given Senator Obama’s current lead over Senator Clinton. What it would really say it that we have RULES and RULES are made to be broken because our hands were forced or because we were too weak to enforce them. Next time let us learn from this… there need to be a better arrangement or Spacing of Primary Day of Elections - perhaps we should vote by region (every other month starting in the Northeast and ending in the West then in the next Presidential Primary the Regional Elections goes from Western States towards the East, etc.

well, I think the whole Democrat party process is a shame
to let superdelegates decide the fate of the party smacks of Soviet communism, a la the "Politburo"

I am going to sit out this election or maybe just vote for Nader - even though the vote is wasted, at least it says something to the Clinton appointees at the top of the party

The DNC should really think before they act. Should they give the ultimate decision to the two states who BROKE the rules? Remembering correctly, Florida was given the final say and we ended up with the George W(retched) Bush. DONT GIVE FLORIDA THE POWER AGAIN!

Yes, they need to seat Fl. and Mich. and move the goal post, neither Obama or Hillary has gotten the nomination yet. Although you; Cnn have stated it all along that he has, along with with his followers. The reality: again; noone has won yet. Keep working hard Hillary. By the way; Obama again yesterday; stretched the truth.

No it would not make a difference. The DNC is set on giving Hillary Clinton her way. She voted on these rules and had no problem abiding by these rules until Obama started winning. She is very divisive and only cares about herself. The American people will see how much damage the Clintons have done to the party once the Republicans start rerunning her ads against Obama.

Considering all the vote tampering done during the caucuses why should allowing FL and MI make a difference? Obama has been crowned heir to the throne by Kennedy, Kerry, Pelosi, and Dean ("Gang of Four"), anyway.

Clinton will win the popular vote. Clinton has won more "electoral" states. Clinton has fought a good fight in the face of race-baiting, misogyny, and a media that gets "chills down it's leg" when Obama speaks.

Let this go to the Convention. Let the delegates see the monster they have created by trying to appease "all of the people, all of the time."

Shame on them if they do! They need to play by the rules they set and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama signed off on. Don;t try and change the rules mid-stream to give advantage to another candidate.

Hillary Clinton for president! NOBAMA! He does NOT have what it takes to beat McCain …. it'll be NO race and we'll then have 8 more years of Republicans! I will NOT vote for Obama, and neither will a lot of other people. Young voters are GREAT - but they have about as much experience as Obama!

I believe Terry McAuliffe, in his own book, stated the delegates from MI and FL would never be seated. He is now the co-chair of the Clinton campaign and is saying they should be seated. Interesting isn't it?

The fact remains that if Clinton were ahead right now, MI and FL would be irrelevant and Puerto Rico's status would not be "critical" to her as she was pandering to them this weekend.

She is a disgrace to politics, and actually thinks her staying in the race is uniting the democratic party. The Clinton's think she deserves it and should get it no matter what. I believe it was before super Tuesday that Hillary herself said what mattered is the delegate count. Now that she is behind in delegates, the popular vote is suddenly the more important factor.

FYI, Clinton will need the African American vote to be elected president. If she is the nominee, she may get 90% of them, but it will be a smaller number because you can bet a large majority of them will stay home.

Changing the rules after the people have voted is the most undemocratic move that the DNC could do to their own party affiliates. If Barack Obama has the most delegates but Hillary Clinton ends up as the nominee because of rule changes just think of all the constitutional laws they won't mind trashing if they get the power of the presidency.

I cannot believe just how much flipping and flopping Hillary Clinton does. She is acting just like a "fish out of water" By the way Wolf you and Lou Dobbs would really love to see the DNC move the goal posts in Hillary's favour won't you? I cannot believe that The Clintons are allowed to hold America hostage!

Leave it to the dummcrats to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat one more time.

Did Hillary agree not to count FL and Michigan in the beginning ? Why does she want to change the rule in the middle of the game ? is this is what you expecting from a very experienced person ? Neither Hillary nor her supporters have an answer to this question. how many time this question is been asked — they never answer to the point. Why did she change the mind and going back from what she agreed in the middle of the game.

Seat MI and FL as-is. 100%. Obama had the chance to do a re-vote and he refused to cooperate. He also intentionally had his name removed from the MI ballot. If Obama refused to allow MI and FL to remediate their non-compliance, then he has essentially forfeited his right to argue that they should not be seated.

The ball is already through the uprights!

Anyone claiming they will switch from Clinton to McCain if Obama wins isn't even voting based on issues. Seems pretty suspect to me. Four years of McCain is just four more years of Bush, and look where he's gotten us.

You mean move the goal posts back to the where they were last year??

To another question. Why do Senator Clinton's supporters want to blame Senator Obama for this mess? This type of divisiveness is not going to help anyone. Remember, Michigan and Florida decided to change their primary dates. They were told of the consequences and went forward. There are several groups at play here. All Senator Obama and other Democratic presidential candidates at the time, including Senator Clinton, did was sign off on the rules. I can't help but wonder what she would be saying if the shoe were on the other foot.

And for those of you saying that Hillary can beat John McCain. That's possible. But first she would have had to beat Senator Obama, Senator Edwards, Governor Richards, etc. She has not beaten any of them. In fact, she is losing!

Let's please just unite and move forward to November and celebrate a historic victory in January.

The rules are the rules. People don't care about a few hundred people having fun at the convention. The race is over on the 3rd.

Give each candidate half and move on. Senator should not get any advantage.

Warren Richart Iowa

I actually agree with Hillary's latest argument that primaries in the past have gone until June. I just wonder if she knows that June is 5 days away.

All I can say is tha the people who project a candidates positions and words, should be sure of their source and credibility. Also look at what the candidates positions are before saying they have none. Also look at your own motives before putting down those of others, Aeat hal the delegates and give each candidate holf of those delegates. No matter what is done, I am sure Bill will say there is a conspiracy.

All these comments about writing in Hillary are scary. Are Hillary supporters so dense that they think she will get more votes than both Obama and McCain? Hillary as a write is the same as a vote for McCain.

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

You share 90% or more of his ideals. Open your mind.

The DNC will do whatever it wants to…, there's nothing democratic about this progressive party!!

Everyone keeps talking about "playing by the rules" as if this is a sports contest or something. They talk about "punishing Florida and Michigan" as if they are sports teams who tried to cheat.

This is about the voters in these states, the "goal(post)" being to put forth the candidate that most voters and superdelegates want.

The problem is we are now stuck in a situation we can't get out of. It's simplistic to say "just stick with the rules" as if that makes the problem go away. Yes it's a problem to change the rules now, and yes it's a problem to stick with them as well. As usual, the Democrats (and I am one) are a well-meaning but disorganized lot.

A SIMPLE solution is this
You want the votes to count from those who cheated in Fl and MI fine I say let them count but I think limiting the delegates to only half is the wrong answer. I think you REMOVE ALL SUPERDELEGATES from these two states. these people are supposedly the leaders and they screwed this up why should they get a vote that counts when they dienfrancised half the voters who followed the rules! Now give each of the cheating states say 5 delegates each. The split the delegates based on the average delegates recieved by each candidate AT THE TIME WHEN THE VOTES SHOULD HAVE BEEN HELD. Now ythe votes count, as they would have during the primary, and the total effect on the outcome of the delegates will be negligible. The delegaatres are seated albeit less thgan would ahve been if the citizens that are all up in arms NOW had BOTHERED to do something when they ahd a chance. and best of all I can stop hearing from the Clinton News Network how the Democratic party has somehow disenfrancised the voters who did not follow the rules!

Ann is right.
cherrystrawberry is what a typical obamaite is all about, calls names, call anyone not supporting obama a racist. The most hysterical thing is all the outpouring of love for my senior senator, who held the nastiest floor fight I've ever seen against Carter in 1980. Damaged the party and the nominee, helped the reagan landslide, wouldn't give up till the bitter end.
and no, i am not a hillary supporter, never voted for her, but might write her in if she is not the nominee and/or runs as an independant. Why would I support Obama? Listened to Wright for 20 years, only when his ministers comments were exposed to the light of day did he reject them, best of buddies up to then. Voted "present" in IL leg when anything of import came up. Real leadership there. Reads a nice speech, just another empty suit.

You're really stirring the pot, Wolf! I love it. However, the question should be how far will the goalposts be moved? Seating half the delegates is the obvious compromise I believe the DNC will make and 2118 will be the new number of required delegates. However, we don't know for sure. If the DNC shuts out Florida and Michigan completely the issue may end up in the Supreme Court. If the DNC seats 100 % of the delegates we may see legal action by the Obama campaign. Either way, the Democratic Party has a serious problem. I think this one's going to the convention floor.

What say you?

The problem the rules committee has is if you don't punish Mi & Fl. in some form what will you do when other states want to change there primary dates. What do you do when West Virginia decides they want to part of Super Tuesday. I think the best solution is seat the entire delegation but split the delegates 50/50.

Even if the DNC moves the goal posts, the superdelegates will be ready to side with Obama and end the tarnished legacy of the Clintons.

Wolf Blitzer have you become disillusioned also? How can you ask such a question? Are you working for Hillarious fantasy camp? Be really ready for a rude shock!

No way! No way!! No way!!!

Hillary is planning what to do next, and you are here asking a funny question. She likes drinking beer and taking shots of the hot stuff, and getting attention. That's really why she is still in the race. But she knows it is over. You mean you believe what she says.

I didn't know you can be that dumb!!! Wake up Wolf!!!

It would be appalling for the DNC to change the rules after the game has been played. And if a change in rules were to change the outcome of the presidential nomination, it would be a disaster of gigantic proportions. FL and MI should be allowed to attend the convention — but not via any formula that validates the results of the non-compliant primary for the purposes of determining the presidential nominee.

Wolf - No scenerio is elegant. The only ethical thing to do is split 50/50 or 50/50 at half voting strength. Hillary AND Bill need to come out of this saying whatever they want about changing the rules in the future, but ACCEPTING the ruling and begin the process of unifying the Party. There is a HUGE difference between what has transpired here and what happened to Gore v. Bush. If she continues to conflate the two, it will reflect on the direction of her ultimate legacy to the Democratic Party.

Why are the delegates being divided between Hillary and Obama, they agreed to the rules! This is obviously not fair to the other candidates that also agreed with the rules (Edwards, Richardson,…) If they are going to change the rules once more then they should be divided among all the candidates that ran in 2008!!!

Obama 08′

Honestly, who cares at this point. We all know who the nominee will be. The fact that the Republican representatives of MI and FL moved up the primaries and the DNC acted correctly, won't affect anything in the long run aside from angry citizens, though they are angry at the wrong people.

The sooner this is settled the better or else McCain will be sitting in the White house before anyone realizes it.

If the DNC arbitrarily decides to "move the goal posts" in Clinton's favor; and she ends up as the Democratic nominee…..This will set a horrible precedent for future elections. Evidently, rules must not matter unless they work in the Clintons' favor. Trust me, if she somehow ends up as the nominee, there will be ARMAGEDON within the Democractic party. ARMAGEDON…

I am an Obama supporter, and despite the rule precedent Florida and Michigan violated, feel those citizens SHOULD have their votes counted. That being said, there should be a REVOTE, so that all citizens who did not vote because they thought their vote would not count, can also be heard.

Then, let the chips fall where they may. Both candidates should accept the result and move on, and back the other against the McCain.

Hillary and Obama supporters alike cry for fairness…let’s be fair and let FL and MI voices be FULLY heard.

Democracy should rule.

It is SAD seeing the posts here from either side saying they will not vote, or vote for McCain before supporting the other Democratic candidate. Shame on you all.

I ABSOLUTELY will vote for Hillary should she get the nomination (despite my reservations), before I can in good conscience vote for more war, environmental blindness, and tax breaks for the rich.

Cheers
Dems 08

Wolf:
If we are serious about winning in November count the votes, if the DNC wants to loose the Whitehouse just continue this path of destruction…I am so tired of the Obama supporters claiming “THE RULES”

Obama knew upfront he had no chance in Florida and Michigan and he has tried everything to prevent these two states from counting… It’s just fine by me and many others. He does not want my vote and he will not get it. NO Whitehouse Barrack….

By winning the candidacy is such a disgraceful way will guarantee a sure loose in November.

Obama wants to talk to the leaders of Iran, Cuba, North Korea and Hamas, and solve all our problems with diplomacy. So how about a demo of diplomatic skills by sitting down withand talking to Hillary and working out FL and MI? If he can't solve this problem in his own party, he hasn't got a prayer to solve the issues with our enemies.

If they move the goal post, neither one will win. It is just that simple. Moving the post will make it impossible for either candidate to reach it. If this happens the one candidate who is nearest to it will be the nominee.

Regardless of whether the goal post is moved to 2010 or 2026, Sen. Clinton will not gain enough DELEGATES to beat out Sen. Obama. Since, she will not have enough DELEGATES, her campaign is now crying that she leads in the Popular Votes. I guess they want to include Florida and Michigan, but eliminate the Caucasuses.

Math is Math.

The problem is that Clinton and the media have pushed and pushed and have made the process negative as far as I'm concerned. Each have incited furror that will result in Sen. Obama as the nominee to be blackmailed into have Clinton as a running mate. Each will forgive Sen. Obama only going against the message of hope that he's been preaching and encouraging people to turn the page on Washington, while yet condemning him.

If they move the goal posts they are just going to give Clinton more reasons to stay in a fight that she can't win. If she somehow wins the nomination over Obama, there will be a giant crack down the middle of the Democratic party that will be incredibly hard to repair. Hillary needs to focus on stepping down with a little dignity. She needs to think of someone other than herself…

"A wise man fights to win, but he is twice a fool who has no plan for possible defeat."
-Louis L'Amour

Wolf, the goalposts could be moved this weekend, of course, giving Barack Obama or near the number he needs to finish this race. My question is would Hillary Clinton been so dedicated and disobeying the rules if she was the front-runner? I don't think so, this race would have been over. I do not believe that the law of the land does not count but it seems that the U.S. has changed its policy. The DNC knows that Barack Obama has won this race and if he does not get the nomination, a WHOLE lot of people won't be voting for Hillary Clinton.

More than likely they will, but when you're dealing with childish behavior you have to APPEASE those who refuse to reason. So they'll likely get MI & FL delegates seated to show HRC she STILL can't win, then they let them whine over popular vote and figure out another way to pacify the "experienced ones" and hopefully after that they'll go away…

If Hillary is not nominee then the Democrats should just concede to John McCain right now and save their money for 2012! Because they don't have a chance in hell with Obama.

"Please move the goal posts.
And if that doesn't help Hillary, please write her into the General Election ballot if she does not win the Dem nomination. I know I don't want John McCain to be the next president, and I am positive Obama does not have the chops to do the job right.
Go Hillary! Make a touchdown!"

_______________________

And if she still doesn't win, tell McCain the wrong date for the inauguration and have Hillary show up instead and move right in. I have never seen such sucking up to a candidate who is losing but won't admit defeat. All I hear is about how she is getting no respect, yet from where I sit, they are making up opportunities to overcome having run a poor campaign and being highly disliked by many.

You can bet that no matter which of the 3 "movements" are agreed upon, it won't be fair to poor Hillary and she will go on the offensive. Oprion four would work however - give her ALL the Michigan votes and 50% of Florida, then have all the superdelegat4es go back to "undeclared" and pick again based on her "electability" argument.. And again until she has the requisites number to win. That's the only fair thing in her mind. Why have primaries?

with respect for the rights of the voters, and in regard to the rules laid forth by the DNC, I believe that the third option, to seat 50% of delegates, is an option that they should accept for Florida. as for Michigan, considering Obama was not on the ballot, they could seat 25% unless the state, not the people but the actual delegates/senetors/whatever, somwhow funded a re-election, then they have 50% seated. to me, this seems like a perfectly reasonable course of action.

if we did something like this at the beginning, it might have even prevented the issue from exploding like it has today.

Hillarys own supporters PROVE she is a completely incompetent leader. She herself SAID THREE TIMES YES that Obama can beat McCain but read in this thread alone how many of her followers practice the same refusal to listen to ANYONE above their own NEEDS and AMBITIONS!

Didn't we just go through 7 1/2 years of that??

Obama understands that he can now allow the people of Michigan and Florida to speak and have their voices heard. He stopped HRC's momentum when it would have mattered. Now he needs to keep these states in the fold, and crediting their votes is the only way.

How can you make rules then turn around and break the rules? Everyone knew the seats would not be counted long before the election took place, but since you have a crybaby throwing tantrums the rules have changed. Everyone, lets brake the rules and lets see if they change the rules for our benifit.

Wolf, we all know by now that this race has been fixed,bought, paid for ,bribed,threatened for obama, so who really cares. And like the paid obama bloggers say, the super delegates HAVE to give it to obama or there will be war to pay the world over!!!!

SO A BIG THANK YOU TO THE MEDIA,DNC AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR THE END OF THIS COUNTRY AS WE KNOW IT.
BE PROUD!!!!!!

Only if there is a 50 / 50 split in the delegates, which is probably the only
thing that the DNC will do, there should be no problem. At least then,
Hillary can have no excuse as to why Senator Obama will still win.

Why would the DNC changed their own rules? This would show weakness, at most. I think for the sake of the country they have no choice but to stick to the rules that were enacted by the DNC..otherwise I see all out fallout..

I understand about the FL and MI defying the rules. My problem is that the voters didn't have any say so in that decision. Are they to be counted out because of the top DFL doggies peeing on the wrong hydrants? I think to not seat the FL and MI delegates is a slap in the face to the citizens who took the thought and time to go vote at the poles despite the two states' DFL heads deciding to defy the party. There should be some other options rather than penalize the voters. I think the process stinks and voters should have a say-so. Even though this is a republic.

Hopefully the committee can find the "guts" to stick to the agreed-upon punishment for the good of the party. If they don't, then they'll have lost all control when it comes time for the states to hold their 2012 primaries.

It's a sad day in America if we teach our children that "it's not your fault you lost", "if you whine loud enough, you'll get want you want" and "rules are made to be broken - it's all about winning at any cost."

I hear FL and MI are having their 2012 primaries later this year since it'll take 4 years for the results to make it through the legal system.

I am with you Linda in Va. IT LOOKS LIKE OBAMA PAID CNN TO PROMOTE HIM. IT IS VERY SHAMEFULL HOW THE MEDIA AND THE DEM PARTY HAS TREATED HILLARY. I PRAY HILLARY GETS THE NOM!!

The birth of a new political party is on the way. Hillary will run as an independent. Never has a candidate been treated so poorly with such disrespect. Kennedy in 1980 went all the way to the convention with only 600 delegates and no one told him to drop out. It's really shameful to see democrats treat a women like a dog just because she's smarter than Obama . It's called jealousy. All these comentators and anchors are really girly men. Real men aren't scare of women. Strong men are for Hillary.

Hillary is the ONLY democratic candidate who can bring out the best in the Republicans.

Hillary is like "viagra" to the Republicans, they really need her to get excited. I think the Democrats will help the impotent Republicans (from the problems of Bush) by giving them Hillary as the Democratic VP!!! What do yo think? I await your comments— Thank you.

What a big ADO about NOTHING!
Sit MI and FLA 'as is' (MI 55% HC 0%BO; FLA 49.8% HC 33% BO), and she actually does get a slight PV lead, but does not go ahead in pledged delegates.
Even Wolfson would concede Obama should get something over 0% in MI and all he needs is 10% there to take back the PV lead. With a 55 35 Clinton Obama split in MI, FLA 'as is' and the polling in SD and MO, Obama will have 200,000 to 1/2 million PV victory.
So, what is all the FUSS about MI and FLA?

They really should follow the rules…. but they won't so they should
1. Give Hillary more of the votes to shut her up
2. Move the goal post half way between 2026 and 2210
3. Superdelegates should all vote obama in immediately on the 31st

Please don't set the precedent of bending the DNC rules.

So you start the game with a certain set of rules and after you start playing you can change that ? Call the Patriots back on the field, they still have a chance to win, forget the New York Giants who played the game according to the rules and played their hearts out. I got you DNC, shame on you if you change the rules that everyone agreed to at the start of the primary, just cause one of the players is a sore head and won't get off the field of play!!!!!!!!!

CNN obviously hopes so

I say split the delegates of Florida and Michigan so they don't affect the outcome of the primaries.

That way, they still get punished for bad behavior, and the voters get their votes counted.

Hey "Don't Vote"

what are you, an idiot? it's a democracy. votes count. right? why would you ever advise someone to not vote?

childish.

But sireously, why would people what to put a loser in the white house? She lost that is the truth, is it that people do not think anymore or they do not think at all. I am so puzzled some even threaten to vote otherwise who cares it is a free world vote for Bush , Mc Cain or even my dog if you wish too. If my choice lose it doesn't mean that the world is over go do what you know best. It is unfortunate that Clinton lost and I feel for you all and it is time to get over it she can still run again when she becomes 72 years old like Mc Cain. The retirement for a president is not 65years it can be 90 you can be the president in ruling from a nursing home there is nothing wrong with that it is also making history.
Love you so much it hurt so bad that she lost but someone had to win that is a fare game only in Zimbabwe and Kenya that those who loose rules the country.

The DNC would do better trying to figure out how to get HIllarys voters to vote obama
This is one that will not ,no matter how much they pander
I will vote McCain if obama is nominee

Wolf,

The DNC should leave the goalpost/rules as is. You don't wait unit the fourth quarter with a minutes left on the clock to change the rules. You play the game with the rules agreed to, before the game starts.

Hillary and her faithful Clintonites created this fiasco, because she has lost. If she was so concerned about people having "the right to vote", she should have stated this before this race started and not agreed to the rules. Howard Dean needs to man-up and tell the Hillary "NO, we are going to follow the rules we agree to before the race stated!"

What the use of having rules if you are not going to follow them

Whatever the DNC does is fine as long as it is fair to both parties. Hillary hasn't won this contest and it shouldn't be gifted to her. Primary results do not translate into general elections victory. Bush lost New Hampshire by almost twenty points in the primary and came back and won it in the general. The Clintons are acting like the presidency is a family legacy.

I know this is going to sound crazy, but what if we abide by the rules that both campaigns agreed to back in January? Nevermind, that would be nuts.

The only thing that will come of this, is a continued Clinton campaign. Clinton is going to cry about whatever happens in this meeting, while Bill is out spreading conspiracy theories about his wife being snubbed the nomination. This is no longer about who will represent the democratic party, its about what has to be done to shut the Clintons up. America HAS chosen its nominee through the rules and process that was voted into action by the very people who are now playing victim to its "tyranny". Instead of trying to cripple the democratic party and force her name into the history books, maybe she (and the united states) would be better served by a women who honorably lets the nominating process conclude and takes a leading role in the president's cabinet or becomes a keystone figure in the senate. Aaaghh, who am I kidding… this is Hillary Clinton we're talking about.

THEY HAVE TO SEAT ALL 50 STATES. IF THEY DO NOT SEAT THEM, WE WILL SEE FLORIDA GOING INDEPENDENT,REPUBLICAN OR NOT VOTING. WE HAVE A FLAG THAT HAVE 50 STARS ON IT, NOT 48.

You can't change the game in the 9th inning. This is getting more and more ridiculous by the day. Stop trying to appease the Clintons and let's move on with the next step to the process. She, her family, and her supporters are just being selfish. And how can you be winning the popular vote when you HAVE LESS VOTES? If she had the popular vote she would have won more states. Let's stick to the script DNC. Rules is rules. We all know she could care less about Florida and Michigan if she was winning. They would be S.O.L regardings of rules or complaints.

Wolff,
The question is how come a person that is a lawyer, who know that US is a nation of law not a banana republic, and that person is campaigning to be Commander-in-chief USA, but not willing to abide by election rules?

How would it look at an executive job interview a candidate that agreed to present certain transcripts at the interview session, decides to present another rejecting what was initially agreed upon, do you think he/she will be offered the job? I guess you know the answer!

Give me a break
If one is allowed to break the rules, what good are the rules …

If Michigan and Florida don't want to face the same challenges as all the other states, … Leave Them Out …

Lets keep this Democratic, …

If Hillary was ahead, … she would care less if they were seated

She, Michigan, and Florida appear to be poor whiny losers

Wolf we all know you have been working hard for a spot in hillary's imagination cabinet.

Give it up already.

haha cherry strawberry, thats some funny stuff.

It is true however its time for the young to start to shape this country because obviously our parents and grandparents showed some poor judgement.

They call us young and inexperienced, but in reality we are energized and optimistic with a array of new ideas to improve this country.

To Michelle from Colorado : With your logic why have an election altogether. Let's "name" Hillary Clinton for President because she is "entitled" to it. Shame on you !

Why do we even bother to make rules if no one is going to use them. The DNC needs to grow a backbone and end this nonsense now!
Obama won fair and square. You do not move the goal posts in the middle of the game!
What a foolish thought and a dream for the Clinton's and a nightmare for everyone else.

It only makes a difference if the delegates are seated based on an outcome of a primary. Seating delegates on a 50/50 split accomplishes nothing. It only produces a false result. Unfortunately there are no primary results that have legitimacy and since the Obama campaign ensured no re-vote we will not have a legitimate nominee. The Democratic Party has blown it again. No wonder the Republicans are so successful at winning the White House. Talk about Party rules all you want, but Party rules don’t win elections in November. Just ask McGovern…

Cherrystrawberry. If you had bothered to look at their positions, you'd see that Clinton and Obama's positions are basically clones. But maybe Generation Next is too busy with their IPODs to actually read.

I think the DNC will come up with a fair and intelligent resolution that both parties will agree on. The key here is coming up with a solution that is fair for both parties.

The way Clinton wants the two states to be seated is not fair to Obama and I think the DNC knows that and will defintely take this into consideration. Will it move the post? Probably not because the majority of the supers will flock to Obama by June 3rd anyway.

As it stands now at this very moment while I'm writing the comment, Obama is ahead of Hillary. If you gave Hillary ALL of the FL & MI delegates she will still have less delegates the Obama. She can't possibly win, no matter what the DNC dose.

DNC should abide by its rules. Changing the rules for Clinton because she whines and yells louder is totally unfair. Just because she is married to an ex-president does not entitle her to have preferential treatment.
This woman counts her marriage as her experience. She is a sexist.
She complains about media being sexist. She is a devious manipulator!

No the goal posts shouldn't be moved - all candidates played by the same rules and each have been recorded agreeing to the rules/exclusion of FL/MI.

B4 Hillary wanted SD's to vote for whoever they wanted, now she says SD's should vote for the popular vote - based on her math, excluding caucus only states and giving Obama 0 votes in MI - but also including Puerto Rico, a territory that can't vote in November and has no bearing on the Electoral Vote which she has been pushing.

She also said whining is weak and that she would support "whoever the DNC candidate is" - yet her camp is spouting sexism, conspiracy theories and rumors that MI/FL is "Obama's fault" to get people mad.

The DNC should stand by their original rulings regarding FL and MI — it's disgusting to change the rules IN ANY WAY now, after votes have been cast……

This is DUMB - and speaks badly of our party…

Do what you SAY you're going to do or in the future just keep your mouths SHUT!

I am totally convinced that no matter WHAT outlandish, unrealistic , unfair or fair scenario that is used in the end , unless Hillary gets what she wants she will SUE, incite, whine, complain and pout the Democratic Party into Oblivion.

Go right ahead - move them anyway you want. Then, during the general election campaign, change the electoral college system also if your candidate falls behind. What the heck - rules are meant to be broken, right?
Also - in regard to Hillary's campaign making the claim that her use of the A word, not needing to apologize, and rationalizing the statement that it had "nothing to do with Obama" - am I missing something, or is he the only other candidate at this point that she competing against? How can anyone rationally say it has nothing to do with him?

The DNC can do whatever, the maths still remains that clinton can never win not with this arrogant attitude of hers and stupidity of bill. There wil be WAR if their decision is not fair enough because clinton knows what is at stake at the beginning, She went ahead for the fact that she never knew a Black Man Called Barak Obama can be where he is today.

Even though most of the people who have voted have voted for Obama, and most of those who have caucused have chosen Obama and most of those who have contributed money have given to Obama, we must find a way for Hillary to win.

Obviously most of us want her in spite of our votes.

The only thing the DNC needs to do is remove Hillary , she's one person, and let the goalpost stand.

The good side to moving the goal post is that Clinton will have no excuse to go all the way to the convention. I'm worried she may reject whatever the DNC comes up with just to stay in till the convention to ruin Obamas chance in the GE.

A new USASurvey poll shows Obama wining Ohio and beating McCain in National Electoral Votes. Who says we need bitter Clintonites? We only need the objective ones from that WOMAN called Hillary.

The Democratic Party is in deep trouble since no matter what they decide, they will alienate half of their constituency! They could have played it fair from the beginning and be wise and not make Obama, with his baggage or his racist background, become the front runner. Now that they have decieved millions of people, now that they cann't turn the pages since the fooled have casted their votes, they will have to sit and suffer the consequences! We will not win the general elections in November with Obama as our candidate; why cann't these party elders and supposedly wise me see this? Or perhaps this is the end of the "Democratic Party" since everything has a shelf life and that of the Democratic Party is about to expire! Pitty!!!

no it wouldnt jack, she is hopelessly lost and suffering from delusions of grandeur.
Sadly she doesnt see that its over and some of her supporters cant piece 1+1 together.

STICK TO THE RULES YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME IN ORDER TO BENEFIT HILLARY THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. RULES ARE RULES

I think the goalpost will be moved and should be moved. Actually the DNC broke their own rules by striping these states of ALL their delegates. The "Republican Way" of awarding half the delegates is in the DNC bylaws as well, but the DNC changed their own rules to allow for no delegate placement, which started this uproar to begin with.

Yes both state delegations should be seated, but they should be punished too. Giving each delegate half a vote would be a good solution or stripping each state of their super delegates would be another good solution because the politicians broke the rules not the people even though it's the people that are being punished here.

What does this mean for the nomination? Simple, both candidates will have to get more super elegates to support their cause before they can win. If delegates are awarded proportionally based on the primaris Sen. Clinton will get slightly more of the pledged delegates, but not enough to overtale Obama in terms of pledged delegates. But it will put more super delegates in play and require more delegates overall. Does this change the race? No, but it does mean both will have to do more to be the final nominee.

STOP moving the goal posts. This is insulting to voters. Michigan and Florida knew what they were getting into when they broke the rules.

Hillary is the ONLY democratic candidate who can bring out the best in the Republicans.

Hillary is like "viagra" to the Republicans, they really need her to get excited. I think the Democrats will help the impotent Republicans (from the problems of Bush) by giving them Hillary as the Democratic VP!!! What do yo think? I await your comments— Thank you.

Allowing Michigan and Florida votes to count is totally unfair. If they are allowed to be counted then why have rules at all? They knew the consequences and went ahead anyway. Hillary Clinton going on and on about them counting is really getting on my nerves. Obama wasn't even on the ticket in Michigan! If it were the other way around she would be the first to protest those votes. I read a story a few weeks ago that said to the effect if Hillary Clinton got out of the race early she would not be paid back for her personal contributions to her campaign. I think that has something to do with her still running. Being new to the millionaire scene, $11 million would hurt them tremendously. (Remember when they were begging for help with lawyer fees in the White House?)

It won't matter, the Democratic Party leaders and superdelegates are determined to make Obama the next loser for the Presidential race. I think the November election will be the worst Democratic loss to date.

The primary process is seriously flawed with candidates winning more delegates despite having won the popular vote. This added to the ridiculous caucus elections has made the weaker, less qualified candidate our next Democratic candidate.

The Democrats, as usual, are snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Sure,
Let Hillary get what she wants, and let all the superdelegates support Obama. Justice served. Everyone goes home happy. NOT! Hillary blames the DNC for conspiracy and creates a riot in the democratic party. That's is what she wants anyway . the ex-republican.

Absolutely disturbing. Yes, I am for Obama. But would easily just be for Clinton should she have been ahead. (McCain is too much on the other side of the policy for my taste). FL and MI had their warning. They been given plenty of time to get back in line but went ahead and did it anyway. Don't blame Obama, Dean. Blame your state's party. They goofed. Don't even blame Clinton. Blame her however, for breaking the rules and creating this current division. If somehow she would to get the nomination. Yes, I would still vote for her but but in a very somber mood. It would spell disaster for all those new people who got involved. The people you say never would. Here is the chance to celebrate that by letting Obama go on to the general. Could be the best thing that ever happened.

DNC, you will lose all credibility if you change the rules just because it doesn't benefit a sore loser.

It would be like a team that missed the playoffs by one win demand to have the pre-season games they want count in their favor.

True democrats will rejoice everywhere when Hillary is finally out of the race.

Wolf,

The DNC should leave the goalpost/rules as is. You don't wait unit the fourth quarter with a minutes left on the clock to change the rules. You play the game with the rules agreed to, before the game starts.

Hillary and her faithful Clintonites created this fiasco, because she has lost. If she was so concerned about people having "the right to veto", she should have stated this before this race started and not agreed to the rules. Howard Dean needs to man-up and tell Hillary "NO, we are going to follow the rules we agree to before the race stated!"

What the use of having rules if you are not going to follow them?

Seat them all and split them 50/50, that would be fair, but I am sure Clinton will complain. Just another cover up right?

Hillary is being cheated! Remember we only care about the big states like Florida and NY. Caucus states don't matter or the Clinton's would have campaigned harder in those states. We don't need to count those deligates and we don't care about the popular votes in those states either becuase that would make Hillary look worse in the popular vote scheme

The poor democratic party is riddled with holes from the Clintons. They're like a modern day, politically based Bonnie and Clyde. It may never be the same now that the Clintons have ruined it for all of us.

Because Obama’s name was not on the MI ballot it was an unfair election. Either you re-hold an election in MI with his name on the ballot or it remains unfair indefinitely. I think if his name were on the ballot the results would have been different. Perhaps he would have won the state. As for FL, his name was on the ballot and even though they did not campaign there it was still fair. The people still had two real choices. So with that the delegates should be awarded as they stand in FL. 55% for Clinton and 45% for Obama. But in MI we must get a revote, or it will never be fair.

It is getting very scary to live close to a country where the democratic system is so fragile and where the non respect of the rules can happen at any time and even endorsed by people running for the presidential… and you want to restore the moral authority in the world? please people, try to work at becoming a better example before talking about moral authority in the world!!!

and that's when the civil war begun ….

No! this is why the supreme court would not accept Gore's idea of a new recount in FL in 2000. Regardless of the result, you can not chnage the rules while the game is being played. Seat the Florida and Mchigan delegates, but do not let them count in the race AS AGREED TO BY ALL PARTICIPANTS before the race started.

Anyone who has played sports or even played a board game knows that sometimes unexpected things happen: there is a bad call by the ref or some unique situaion arises. However you NEVER chnages the rules during the game. LIfe is not perfect; human beings are not perfect; human institutions also are not perfect. Change the rules for next time but DO NOT allow the Clintons to change the rules to suit them…..not even if it has to go to the Supreme court again. Obama should understand this is his FIRST test of determination.

This disgusts me. If they actually change the rules that were agreed upon BEFORE the primaries were done in Michigan and Florida, I will, on principle, NOT vote Democrat.

I want to see Michigan and Florida seated just as much as the next guy, but I also want the DNC to abide by its own rules.

Wow i read CLINTON supporters and am glad they dont go to the grade school i work at ..the children there know math ,,have more common sense..There problem is they feal shes intitled to the position .. But guess what we live in a democracy ,not in cuba ..where your logic belongs.. The state i live in wa. when you state she has the popular vote leaves out my state and the other caucus states ..Guess what we had a caucus and a popular vote… your worried every VOTE WILL COUNT ,,BUTTTTTTTTT mine and several others ,,but florida and michigan yes every vote there will count ,,you claim you want fairness when all you really want is what fits into YOUR AGENDA ..PLEASE explain to me why MY vote shouldnt count and my states vote shouldnt count???I f what you say is true ..Why in t