While the Obama campaign stresses math and Clinton momentum post-Ohio/Texas -- and some journalists can't resist predicting who will win, should win, should quit -- the fact is that many voters haven't yet effectively spoken. Including all Democrats in your two states because of your controversy with the DNC.
So as Obama now leads 51%-49% in votes cast and 52% to 48% in presumed delegates, I have a suggestion that could help launch one into a commanding position as we approach the Denver Convention: your two states should legislate a new primary day and it should be April 22, the day of the scheduled Pennsylvania primary.
Then we would have a final Super Tuesday involving some 5 million voters and 518 delegates. And the Democrat who wins a majority of the votes and delegates in these three states -- all of which would be in play in a competitive general election -- would have real and important momentum with undecided superdelegates. Not quite winner-take-all but close to winning the fifth set in the Wimbledon final.
Could either Obama or Clinton object? Clinton can't seriously argue that the delegates in your states should be seated based on earlier contests that the candidates agreed shouldn't count.
The Obama campaign can't seriously argue that your states shouldn't be seated at the Convention and shouldn't count in the closest nomination battle in a century. Nor can it seriously contend that existing rules should be in effect altered to disallow a superdelegate -- who's not a Martian but a governor, senator, or congressman -- from voting for that Democrat who s/he thinks would be the strongest nominee and best president.
It's up to you. If you establish two do-overs and time them to Pennsylvania -- I'm sure Gov. Rendell won't mind sharing the pressure and spotlight -- you'll create a new and final Super Tuesday III that could make history. Then your primaries wouldn't have been early and influential but late and pivotal. Not a bad ending for Michigan and Florida -- and Democrats.
Gov. Dean?
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