Howard Dean needs to go.
Posted 11 weeks 5 days ago byIt is puzzling to me that there hasn't been more pressure on Howard Dean to resign, so that someone with leadership skills can step in and resolve this mess. I don't read a lot of blogs, but I haven't seen much about this issue.
Dean's only comments about the ordeal is to demand the superdelegates announce their intentions before June 3. He has no plan to deal with the Florida and Michigan issue, and appears to lack the leadership to steer the party to a resolution. Instead he does nothing. He stands idly by, as if everything is on automatic pilot.
Although the superdelegate system is a questionable way to nominate, it is set up to do exactly what may be required to rescue this election for the democrats. They exist to break a deadlock like we have now. There are some 300 super d's that are doing it the right way. As they should, they're waiting until all voting is complete, which includes waiting until Florida and Michigan is brought to a conclusion.
Florida and Michigan need addressed now! And, all it would take is someone with balls and leadership skills to "get ur done". Someone needs to be in charge with some common sense and tough talk.
Thoughts
Votes or Rules?
Submitted on May 4th, 2008 by PreboomerI refer to the reply by CN, and I totally agree. The right to vote, and the responsibility to have it count, far outweighs DNC rules.
I think Obama should be grateful to take whatever delegates he can get under any arrangement for Florida and Michican. Both states voted before Wright, Bill Ayers and Bittergate. He probably would have came in third behind Clinton and Edwards in both states if they had voted later.
The whole fiasco has favored Obama any way you cut it. But, no matter what, Florida and Michigan voters should have their vote counted despite the rules. The voters honored their responsibility, now the bozos that screwed it up need to honer theirs.
Re: Preboomer
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by KansasGirlYou said:
"Michigan is somewhat different. However, Obama made a calculated decision to remove his name from the ballot. Sometimes we just have to take responsibility for our decisions and take our licking. "
Here's my thing - I agree that taking responsibility for actions is the right way to go. But why is it just Obama that has to do it? What about Clinton taking responsibility for having signed on to the plan that said Florida and Michigan wouldn't count, and honoring her word? What about the DNC, who engineered this whole shebang because they were upset that FL and MI violated their rules, taking responsibility for saying that those votes would not be counted and following through on that? If we're going to play by the rules, and I think we should, we ALL have to play by the rules! Fair is fair.
Fact, not fiction please
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by CNObama REMOVED his name from the Mich. ballot of his OWN valietion.
All three Democratic candidates remaining, WERE on the Fla. ballot.
The Fla. REPULICAN controled Legislature and REPULICAN Governer who pushed the primary date up, are responsible for diss'ing the DEMOCRATIC'S vote with the blessing of the DEMORATIC NATIONAL COMMITEE...Prior to the national outrage.
NONE of the candidates campaigned in Florida, altough Obama DID run radio ad's.
VOTING is a RIGHT not to be confused with some Committees RULE.
When the U.S.Territories vote holds more weight then those over the United States citizens, who have, and are now, sheading blood for THEIR COUNTRY, the RULES, in the scheme of life, prove that they should be RULED OUT.
Peace, CN, The Passerby
I agree with you there
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by John 2000Preboomer -
but I can't imagine convention scenario. Convention is supposed to be a big love party, rather than a convention.
Denying Florida and Michigan last Fall was certainly the 'Original Sin' of this fiasco.
Dean on Fox
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by John 2000I saw somewhere that Dean was going on FoxNews segment with Chris Wallace on Sunday.
Resolving Florida and Michigan
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by PreboomerHere's my thoughts on Florida and Michigan Big K. The votes should count as registered, period.
In Florida, Obama was on the ballot and had equal press prior to voting. No candidates campaigned, and Florida voters had plenty of information to make their decision. It's easy to make the assumption that, had they all campaigned in Florida, makeup of the stae's voting population would indicate the results would be the same. If they revoted today Clinton's margin of victory would undoubted be greater.
Michigan is somewhat different. However, Obama made a calculated decision to remove his name from the ballot. Sometimes we just have to take responsibility for our decisions and take our licking. Give Clinton her delegates and send the uncommitteds to the convention.
You're right on Kansas Girl
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by PreboomerYou made my point much better than I did. You pointed out thoroughly all the unanswered questions, and delimas of the current situation the dems find themselves.
And as you point out the solution is not obvious, and Howard Dean is in over his head. His only chance is that something unforeseen or a genie shows up.
The point is, we need someone providing the leadership to resolve these issues. They have to be resolved anyway, so lets get it over with. Some will be mad and feel disinfranchised but that's going to happen no matter. I'm not suggesting that there's an easy answer just setting there for someone to act on but, nothing is happening under Dean.
In a tough spot
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by KansasGirlWhat exactly would you have Howard Dean do? Tell the superdelegates to either honor their districts or vote their conscience, either of which enrages half the party? And what about Michigan and Florida? Obviously the people in those states want their votes counted. HRC wants them counted because she'll gain an unfair advantage. Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan, so the votes are clearly invalid anyway, and it would be a sham to let either state count when a significant number of people stayed home knowing their vote wasn't valid. I'm all for as many people voting as possible, with as few restrictions as possible, but there's a fairness quotient here that Hillary doesn't seem to care about.
What would you do with all that? Either way he goes, Howard Dean angers half the party, and we can't afford that right now. Staying quiet and hoping a clearer resolution materializes before summer may be chicken, or it may be the last best option.
Dr. Dean
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by CNJohn2000:
After Howard's try out in "the bigs" last go around the party must have felt bad for him. Gave him a job, the one which is usually a none starter DNC chairman, but probably back to 1968 has the job of compentancy not been so needed.
Gov. Rendell of Pa. was the best, in my opinion, person who could have shown leadership.
But once again the Dems are a day late, and a dollar short.
Thanks,
Peace, CN, The Passerby
Last I heard about Michigan
Submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by John 2000the two camps were fighting over the distribution with Obama wanting a 50-50 split and Hillary wanting an advantage of 18. There was talk about splitting the difference, which would make it plus 9 for Hillary.
They will chop up Florida also and it will be to Hillary's advantage.
At this point, it would be foolish to have remaining SDs vote without playing out through the remaining primaries.
How Dean ever got the job I'll never know!
What to do about Michigan/Florida?
Submitted on May 2nd, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiObama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan, so those votes can't be fairly counted. It would have to be a do-over, but do they have time for that?
Also, they were forbidden from campaigning in either State, so they weren't allowed to really meet the voters. Both states would have to be do-overs.