So what’s next for the Democrats as they try to un-screw the mess they have made for themselves with respect to the presidential primaries? Mail-in ballots, anyone?
The idea that has been gaining some traction is to declare the original Michigan and Florida primaries null and void and have a “mulligan” - a do-over. Since the state of Florida said they are not footing the bill for another election, the DNC has been advancing the idea of mailing out the ballots, themselves.
Mind you, Floridians are the same folks who couldn’t grasp the butterfly ballot and then found something to bitch about with the electronic ballots because they were easier for Republican operatives to hack (hey, ever notice there are no charges of voter fraud when Democrats win?) and now these apparently electorally-challenged folks will be expected to a) go to the mail box b) open the ballot envelope c) correctly select the candidate of their choice d) place ballot in the self-addressed envelope e) place stamp somewhere on envelope if not an SAS envelope and finally, f) place envelope back in mail box for pick-up.
Now there is something we cannot stress enough: it is of paramount importance that each of these steps be executed in the EXACT sequence as laid-out above. Any deviation from the above will immediately result in howls of disenfranchisement and lawsuits. (After years of suffering the slings and arrows of derision for our somewhat unconventional ways out here in California, can we just say… "thank g#d for Florida!"...whose behavior of late has us Californicators looking like models of sanity, rationality and probity).
Believe it or not, we’ve got a significant degree of sympathy for our Democrat friends…. how is it possible for this mail-in ballot plan NOT to be an absolute grease-fire?
And even if the entirety of the Michigan and Florida delegates are seated it appears unlikely that either candidate will have enough delegates needed (2,025) to clinch the nomination (currently, Obama leads 1589 to Clinton’s 1470, courtesy RCP).
So, it looks like an open convention, where unless some sort of deal is brokered between the two candidates, things could get ugly down on the floor. Of course, Hillary has got a deal. How does Veep grab ya, Messiah? That from the candidate who is currently losing. Classic.
It’s going to be a fun summer. As we noted before, we were too young to be down with 1968 but the politically charged atmosphere of these Olympics and the train wreck that the Democratic national convention may be has us looking forward to our own little ’68 mulligan.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Would it be possible for You to not make our lives a living hell... again?
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5 comments:
Abbie Hoffman live-blogging from Denver. Now, how cool would that have been?
Oh the political hutzpah! Especially when her campaign has been about how "he's not ready" of late. What's the Veep's job, but to be ready?
Barack will challenge this unmitigated effrontery with righteous indignation, I'm sure.
This is so much fun to watch! Bet we get another SNL skit, too much ammunition left by the side of the road to the white house.
Dean,
The title of your post suggests this somehow is bad for the country, "living hell"; however, your post shows the glee we tend to feel with the political "playoffs"
This is fun on so many different levels; it would take hours to pontificate. AND this is good for the country.
Look at the energized voters of the youth, minority and female persuasion, not to mention the voters of the late primary states whose votes were previously unaccounted due to a primary previously decided.
This is bad for America? Granted, I always appreciated these folks staying at home, it meant my vote counted a little more. But hasn't the complaint been one of lack of participation due to the effectiveness ones vote?
Add to the mix, the Gov of NY had the big red "S" ripped from his chest. Set aside his own political hypocrisy, at least he didn't use his influence over a subordinate, Mrs. Clinton.
Let's give the people of Flori-duh another chance; since their party disenfranchised them, it makes for great political football.
I too, was too young for '68, but this may even be better.
Part of me wishes the Dems to win the White House, so the pendulum can swing back sooner domestically. Unfortunately, the short-term consequences of losing in Iraq soon preclude this agenda.
So mayhem in the Dem Party will provide the White House to a McCain commander in chief....I hope.
If Hillary pulls off the primary vote, it seems blacks and youth will stay away from the polls in November. And from what I hear from the Ass Baboon of Venus, women who feel disenfranchised, bigots, and Bill Clinton (not as black as he purports) supporters will vote against Obama.
'Dawg, The title of the post was a heartfelt toungue-in-cheek imploring of the good people of Florida to kindly get their act together so the nation isn't held hostage for 6 weeks again as it was back in 2000.
I got the toungue in cheek, but I still like the 6 weeks of overtime. It makes great spectating! Especially when my team has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Call me selfish, but if Obama wins, the Ass Baboon of Venus has pledged her vote to McCain. :-) I get all goose pimply hearing that!
Geraldine Ferraro is claiming Obama is playing the race card repeatedly, in effect calling her comments bigotted. Her comments were spot on and in no way impuned him when taken in context. More good stuff!
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