The Democratic National Convention
Controversy and Contradiction Will Be This Year’s DNC Topic
With the double-speak of a George Orwell novel, this year's Democratic National Convention is shaping up to be a contentious encounter between titans Obama and Clinton.
Denver, Colorado, on August 25th – 28th 2008, will be the site of the Democratic National Convention. Unlike conventions of the past, this year's gathering seems to be heading for a clash of ideas from individuals that may rock the foundations of the Democratic Party. At stake, 719 regular super-delegates and 76 add-ons! These individuals will ultimately choose the Democratic candidate for the next President of the United States.
The 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention, Chicago '68, is most noted for setting off political reform within the party amid protests outside the party. 2008 may be following 68’s footsteps. Donna Brazile, a superdelegate, said on NPR that “she will quit her position within the Democratic Party if her superdelegate colleagues decide the party's nomination.” Ken Rudin of NPR said on February 13th “…if the Democratic nominee were to be decided by the disputed delegates…It might make the protests at the 1968 Chicago convention look like a tea party.”
Problems
- Michigan and Florida – Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal wrote on January 30, 2008: “Five months after all Democratic candidates agreed Florida and Michigan wouldn't get delegates to the August presidential convention, Hillary Clinton now says they should… some Democrats fear, [this position] could ignite a racially charged fight rivaling conventions of the 1960s….”
- Superdelegates - The popular vote verses the delegate count - According to ABC News on February 20th 2008, Obama leads Clinton 1,355 to 1,264 in the overall delegate count. However, NBC's Meet the Press reports “Clinton has 257 superdelegates…to 183 for Obama.” Obama has a 7% point lead over Clinton in the total delegate count but more importantly he has a 16% point lead based upon the actual voting results. Obama’s chief political strategist said on CBS' Face the Nation, "Superdelegates' doesn't mean that they should leap over the will of the people…”
- Big State, Small State – or red state, blue state - the Clinton Campaign argues that Hillary does better in big states, especially big swing states, than Obama. “Clinton has won large states such as California, New Jersey and…New York,” said U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y; "These are the states that Democrats have to do well in if we're going to win the presidency." NBC's Aswini Anburajan reported “Ray Mabus…an endorser of Obama, told reporters, statements… [that] discounted Obama's wins in Red states…marginalized voters in those regions….We can't have another polarizing election.”
- Electability - The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday, February 19, 2008, “shows Barack Obama leads John McCain 46% to 43% while McCain leads Clinton 47% to 43%.... Nationwide, Obama is viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 43%. McCain’s numbers [are] 52% favorable, 43% unfavorable. Clinton earns positive reviews from 46%… nationwide and less positive assessments from 51%.” Appearing more electable, Obama is reacting strongly to Clinton’s tactics. Tim Dickinson reported in Rolling Stone Magazine on Feb 13th that in Virginia, a large state, a red state and a swing state, “Obama received nearly 140,000 more votes than all of the Republicans combined.”
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, quoted by CNN on Feb 19th, may have said it best: "We need to win in November and if one side tries to shove down the throats of the other side any rule, so that ... all of her or his supporters walk away upset, we will lose."
