Dean: I need a decision 'now'
Watch Howard Dean on CNN Thursday.
(CNN)— An increasingly firm Howard Dean told CNN again Thursday that he needs superdelegates to say who they’re for – and “I need them to say who they’re for starting now.”
“We cannot give up two or three months of active campaigning and healing time,” the Democratic National Committee Chairman told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “We’ve got to know who our nominee is.”
After facing criticism for a mostly hands-off leadership style during much of the primary season, Dean has been steadily raising the rhetorical pressure on superdelegates. He said Thursday that roughly 65 percent of them have made their preference plain, but that more than 300 have yet to make up their minds.
The national party chair, who has remained neutral throughout the primary process, said again it’s his job to make sure both candidates feel they are treated fairly – but not to tell either of them when to end their run.
The Hillary campaign is a deathmarch. The only question is how long she will continue to distract Democrats from the real enemy: McBush, Term 3.
I really look forward to the REAL debate between the progressive Obama and the old guard establishment McCain. Youth versus age. New ideas (Ob) versus failed bromides (Mc). Populism (Ob) versus monied interests (Mc). Rage and yes, some understandable "bitterness" (Ob) versus complacency and staying the Bush failed course (Mc). Out-of-Iraq versus "in for 100 years. "
Obama is going to dismember McCain once this wretched extended nomination is finally over. All we need is for Hillary to step gracefully aside and accept her consolation prize as possibly a very powerful majority Senator next year.
Superdelegates *can* help by declaring themselves now. At least for any state that has voted its primary or caucuses already. Let's get this ridiculous Clinton family dynasty out of here and let the real battle begin, the one that matters.
Let Clinton & Obama rip each other apart. If they don't do it to each other, the republicans will be more than happy to do it. This is good preparation for the general; what, you think the republicans will be easier on the nominee? This makes them both a stronger candidate to face McCain. Let the process work, let everyone's vote count. We will have a nominee, and most people opposed to the war and continuation of Bush inept governing will vote for who ever is the democrat nominee.
I blame Dean for the mess the Dems are in with regard to Florida and Michigan. And it is a mess. It was poorly handled from the start. Under Dean's leadership, his first leadership position since he was a "frontrunner himself–and we all know how he acted then, this mess has gotten sloppier and dirtier. No wonder he wants it over now. The trouble is that it isn't over, no matter what he says. If I were a superdelegate I would disregard what Dean says entirely.
He should have worked to a position where the Dems didn't paint themselves into a corner on Florida and Michigan. Of course rules are important. A party's nominating rules need to be obeyed. But should they be imposed when the practical effect is disenfranchisement? Dean says rules are rules as the Democratic Party implodes.
I want to know how the Florida and Michigan situation can not go to the credentials committee.
And another thing: Does anyone ask why Obama wasn't on the ballot in Michigan (why his campaign didn't get his name on the ballot?) If Obama's politics of inclusion mean anything then Florida and Michigan should be counted in the nominating process. The Obama campaign didn't work in the direction of inclusion because they know that inclusion of those states means that Hillary then has a majority of the popular vote, achieves a tie in popular delegates, and is in just as good standing to be nominated.
Dean wants it over now because he doesn't want to see Hillary get the nomination and never has (my personal theory only).
Mr. Dean,
please hurry up and endorse me, so all the other super delegates would do the same!.
OBAMA'08