Thomas B. Edsall
The major dispute over the Florida and Michigan delegations to the Democratic convention in Denver has now boiled down to Hillary Clinton's demand for full seating with no sanctions, and an alternative proposal, likely to be backed by Obama, to seat the delegations with either half a vote granted to each delegate, or to cut each delegation in half.
The Clinton proposal -- which now faces tough, if not insurmountable, odds at the Saturday, May 31 meeting of the Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) - would give the New York Senator 55 more delegates than would go to Obama.
The alternative of either halved votes or halved delegations would net Clinton only 20 or so delegates, depending on the details. Obama could afford to concede a 20-plus delegate gain to Clinton without endangering his overall delegate advantage.
Harold Ickes, Clinton's chief delegate hunter, warned that there may be some defections among the 13 RBC members who have endorsed Hillary. If Ickes and his allies cannot hold all their troops in line, a motion before the RBC to seat all 210 Florida and 156 Michigan delegates with a full vote each would face certain defeat.
If defeated at the RBC on Saturday, the Clinton forces are expected to file an appeal to the Democratic convention credentials committee and possibly, failing that, to the full convention.
moreIf Clinton wants to go on after Tuesday’s primaries, what will the arguments/actions be that will signal her determination?
1. File a lawsuit (or have someone else file a lawsuit…) challenging the DNC’s decision on Florida and/or Michigan.
2. Say she plans to appeal at the convention anything short of a DNC ruling on Florida and Michigan fully in her favor.
3. Highlight the fact that Obama doesn’t have a majority, if the number of delegates needed goes higher after Saturday’s DNC decision on Florida and Michigan.
4. Argue that since elected (a/k/a “pledged”) and automatic (a/k/a “super) delegates can change their minds at the convention, even an apparent Obama majority doesn’t mean he will have a majority in Denver.
5. Wait around to see if anything pops out of Obama’s closet.
6. Suggest her supporters insist that she fight all the way to the convention, lest they be alienated and vote for McCain.
7. Put out a campaign travel schedule which includes stops in Battle Creek, Michigan and Tampa, Florida.
8. Send an e-mail fundraising appeal.
9. Announce she wants to hear more from her supporters before making a decision.
10. Give a big speech, with Perot-style charts and graphs, arguing that she is a far stronger candidate against McCain.
By JOHN MORITZStar-Telegram staff writer
AUSTIN -- Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday.
His decision gives the Illinois senator a huge boost heading into pivotal battle at the national level in which party leaders are looking for a way to seat the disputed delegations from Florida and Michigan at the summer nominating convention in Denver.
"I believe Sen. Obama is the candidate who can best provide the leadership and change Texans desire," Richie said in a statement. "Too many Texas families find themselves unable to make ends meet, much less save and invest in the future, due to Republican policies that burden the middle class and divide Americans. Sen. Obama has the skill and ability to unite Americans from all walks of life and put our country back on the right track."
Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said of the endorsement, "We're pleased that Chairman Richie has joined our grassroots movement that will bring the kind of change to Austin and Washington that working families across America can believe in."
Richie's decision, just one week before he is scheduled to preside over the party's state convention in Austin, could deliver as many as five superdelegates to Obama as he closes in on clinching the nomination in the battle against New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
As party chairman, Richie is a superdelegate. So is his wife, Betty, a longtime party activist from Wichita Falls. And as party chairman, Richie can name three so-called add-on superdelegates to the national convention in Denver.
moreUpdate: One of them is now official. Here is the statement from Boyd Richie.
"Today, I am proud to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. I believe Senator Obama is the candidate who can best provide the leadership and change Texans desire. Too many Texas families find themselves unable to make ends meet, much less save and invest in the future, due to Republican policies that burden the middle class and divide Americans. Senator Obama has the skill and ability to unite Americans from all walks of life and put our country back on the right track."
"I am also grateful for Senator Obama's commitment to help build the Texas Democratic Party. Senator Obama and his campaign understand something that Texans have known for at least a couple of years - that when Democratic candidates invest the time and resources necessary, Texas Democrats have the numbers to compete and win across every region of our great state. We made progress in 2006, and in 2008, the Texas Democratic Party is more energized, better organized, and we are poised to make significant gains this fall."
"This was a difficult decision to make, because I have great respect for Senator Clinton and her Texas supporters. I sincerely appreciate how hard she worked in Texas to deliver a message that resonated with so many voters, and I commend her campaign and the important role she played in the historic participation our Party is experiencing this year. As always, the Texas Democratic Party will conduct party business with absolute fairness and respect for every Democrat, without regard to whom one supports in the primary or convention, and I am confident Texas Democrats will unite and work together side by side to win this November."
And Betty Richie's statement...
"Today, I am proud to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. As a member of the DNC representing the Non-Urban/Ag Caucus, I strongly believe Senator Obama can provide the leadership rural Texas needs and deserves. Under the current Republican
administration, rural Texas has clearly been put out to pasture. Whether it is trying to deal with skyrocketing diesel fuel prices or having access to quality healthcare, Republican politicians continue to ignore our needs."
"Under Senator Obama's administration, there is no doubt the issues of concern to rural Texas will be put front and center. The futures of our families are far too important to leave in the hands of any Republican. It is time for a Democrat to put our country and our state back on the right track."
"Because I have such great respect for Senator Clinton and her historic campaign, this endorsement was not easy to make. But I believe in my heart it is the right decision for rural Texas and the Texas Democratic Party. It is time for our Party to unite and move forward to victory in November. Only by working together can we accomplish this goal."
linkedited to fix link