"Some Democratic leaders are privately scouting around for someone to replace Hillary Clinton ...."

[imagine2015]

Waiting for California and the FBI
Exclusive: Some Democratic leaders are privately scouting around for someone to replace Hillary Clinton if she stumbles again in California and/or the FBI detects a crime in her email scandal, reports Robert Parry.
By Robert Parry
June 1, 2016


For months now, poll after poll have registered the judgment of the American people that they want neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump as the next President, but the two major parties seem unable to steer away from this looming pileup, forcing voters to choose between two widely disdained politicians.

The Republicans are locked in after Trump’s hostile takeover of the party’s selection process, but the Democrats have one final chance to steer clear, on June 7 when they hold several primaries and caucuses including New Jersey and California. If Bernie Sanders can upset Clinton in California – and/or if Clinton’s legal problems over her emails worsen – there remains a long-shot chance that the Democratic convention might nominate someone else.

As far-fetched as this might seem, some senior Democrats, including reportedly White House officials, are giving serious thought to how the party can grab the wheel at the last moment and avoid the collision of two historically unpopular political figures, a smash-up where Trump might be the one walking away, damaged but victorious.

Two Washington insiders – Democratic pollster and political adviser Douglas E. Schoen and famed Watergate investigative reporter Carl Bernstein – have described panicky meetings of top Democrats worried over Clinton’s troubled campaign, with Schoen also describing private talks about possible last-minute alternatives.

I’ve heard similar tales of hushed discussions – with the fill-in options including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry or Sen. Sanders – but I still believe these fretful leaders are frozen by indecision and don’t have the nerve to pull Hillary Clinton’s hands off the steering wheel even to avoid disaster.

.... it has now dawned on some savvy Democrats that Clinton’s campaign vehicle may be damaged beyond repair, especially if more harm is inflicted by the FBI’s findings about her sloppy handling of government secrets. The Democrats see themselves stuck with a status-quo, legacy candidate at a moment when the public is disgusted with government dysfunction and demanding change.

Yet, whether the Democrats have the guts to go through the pain of denying Clinton the nomination may depend on what happens in California and inside the FBI

https://consortiumnews.com/2016/06/01/waiting-for-california-and-the-fbi/

[Ned_Devine]

1. Gee, I wonder where they could find one

[leveymg]

2. They probably started the search in March '15, and the succession process is well advanced.

The obvious successor of broadest appeal and unity value is Elizabeth Warren.

[FSogol]

3. Consortiumnews? You Better Believe it!

[Joob]

4. If only we had two nominees, damn!

[sufrommich]

5. Robert Parry's world of delusion. nt

[imagine2015]

8. Right. That's why Hillary cancelled New Jersey and is campaigning for 5 days in California.

Nothing to see folks .... move along now. Everything is just peachy. The nomination is in the bag!

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. You shoudl read it

because at the very least he is linking to other people, it is not his.

By the way, I have heard here, that people are getting nervous. FOR REAL.

[saidsimplesimon]

6. Recommended, thanks imagine

Robert Perry had the courage to report on Iran-contra, ronnie raygun.

[B Calm]

7. The DNC is getting worried.

[Fawke Em]

11. I saw that article on social media this morning.

Very depressing.

The thing it forgot, though, is that the majority of Democrats my be OK with it, but some Democrats and the majority of Independents - you know, the people that actually decided the presidency - are NOT OK with it.

[TheProgressive]

10. Funny how Mr. Sanders represents *real* Democratic principals...yet,

...yet, today's 'Democratic Party' needs to find someone to replace Clinton? Really?

Maybe Democrats need to find a party to replace the Democratic Party.

[libdem4life]

12. This is definitely the ultimate of Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

I'd bet that Warren is not interested...her family asked her not to run...as did Biden's son. They know the reality of the situation. And she's not enough of a down and dirty fighter that will be necessary for them to pull this off.

I'm imagining that Bernie's support will stay or go up, especially with a quickly emerging candidate out of nowhere, or one who has previously been rejected by voters.

[Beacool]

13. Conspiracies on the Left, conspiracies on the Right.

What do they have in common? They are not based on reality.

[frylock]

16. Vast Right Wing Conspiracies abound.

[Txbluedog]

14. It will be impossible to replace her unless the DoJ indicts her

Replacing her for anything less will be the kind of chaos that no one can afford. Hillary is the dem standard bearer, sans indictment, come what may

[felix_numinous]

15. Because the people's choice

doesn't mean shit to them, I get it.

[dreamnightwind]

17. Bernie will make an excellent replacement - eom