Democrats Warn of Coming ‘Train Wreck’ as GOP Moves Closer to a Nominee
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, shown here at a November debate, are so close in the delegate race that party leaders fear the campaign could drag on through the August convention. (AP Photo)
With John McCain closer than ever to being the Republican candidate for president, Democratic leaders are sounding the alarms about a worst-case scenario in which their party has no apparent nominee until the national convention in late August, leaving them with just over two months to mount a general election campaign.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, speaking on the floor of the Senate, warned Friday that it would be a “train wreck” for the party if Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton cannot break their deadlock soon.
“Here is the coming train wreck,” Nelson said. “If one of our two leading candidates does not get a majority by the time that all the primaries and caucuses are over … then we go into a period during June, July and all the way to the end of August at the National Democratic Convention, a period of enormous uncertainty and turmoil.”
He said part of the turmoil would be the backroom deal-making of “superdelegates” — elected officials and other party leaders who come to the convention uncommitted to any candidate — and the fact that Florida’s and Michigan’s delegates will not be seated at the convention. Those two states were stripped of their delegates for holding primaries before Super Tuesday, in violation of party rules.
Clinton won the primaries in both states, and seating their delegations would benefit her.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has said he fears an intra-party showdown at the convention in Denver. Dean, who calls McCain a “media darling,” has warned about the party having no presumptive nominee going into the convention.
He recently told a New York TV station, “The idea that we can afford to have a big fight at the convention and then win the race in the next eight weeks, I think, is not a good scenario … I think we will have a nominee sometime in the middle of March or April. But if we don’t, then we’re going to have to get the candidates together and make some kind of an arrangement.”
He didn’t say what that arrangement would be.
The Associated Press reported that DNC member Debbie Dingell said the national committee is asking Florida and Michigan to consider holding caucuses — but Nelson, who has endorsed Clinton, said “you can’t undo an election with caucuses.”
Three days after Super Tuesday, delegate tallies by The Associated Press show Clinton with 1,045 delegates and Obama with 960. A candidate needs 2,025 delegates to clinch the nomination; both candidates are about halfway there.
McCain needs only a few hundred more delegates to guarantee victory; Mitt Romney’s exit from the race on Thursday left McCain as the odds-on nominee, although Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are still officially running for the GOP nomination.
Republicans who have clashed with McCain in the past have begun to accept his candidacy, even though some conservatives — like Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who endorsed Mike Huckabee Thursday night — say McCain and his moderate positions will never be palatable to the right.
And McCain has already started his general election campaign, focusing on Obama’s and Clinton’s positions on Iraq and taking them on in tandem as a singular threat to conservatives.
He continued his assault on the candidates Friday, after speaking at a national security round-table in Norfolk ahead of Virginia’s primary Feb. 12.
“All I can say is that they want to set a date for withdrawal,” McCain said. “There would be catastrophic consequences … There is a fundamental misunderstanding on the part of both of them as to what’s at stake and a failure to recognize that our strategy under General Petraeus, called the surge, has been succeeding. That, I think, will be a major issue in this campaign.”
Obama and Clinton have tried to return fire — Clinton complained yesterday about his economic and military policies — but their quest for delegates keeps them focused on each other.
This leaves McCain in the enviable role of statesman, senator and party figurehead, observers say, unshackled from the once-consuming battle among a dizzying field of Republican candidates.
Democratic pollster Doug Schoen told FOX News, “With John McCain the Republican nominee, if he can get the right in line with his candidacy, and the Democrats remain divided, it’ll make a Democratic victory more unlikely in November.”
McCain’s National Finance Co-Chairman Fred Malek said McCain will now be able to show leadership on Capitol Hill, and not just the campaign trail.
“While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are out on the campaign trail kind of fighting each other on things, John McCain can be back in the Senate leading the charge on issues that are really important to the American people.”
Despite tasting victory, McCain said he will not discount Huckabee, who said Friday that it’s not a lock for the Arizona senator.
“An election is about a choice, not a coronation,” Huckabee said in Kansas.
McCain fended off discussion of potential running mates, as rumors continue to swirl that Huckabee could be a contender.
“Governor Huckabee is still in this race and he is a viable candidate and I am sure will continue to show strength,” McCain said in Norfolk.
FOX News’ Mike Majchrowitz and Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that DNC Chairman Howard Dean suggested Michigan and Florida hold caucuses in order to seat their delegates at the convention. That is incorrect. We regret the error.
I was born in England and came to this great country when I was ten years old. I became an American citizen the legal way (the same way my parents and I entered the country) and I am very proud of my citizenship! I am very concerned about this outrageous situation with illegal immigration. This country was founded by immigrants..YES..but they were not illegal immigrants, flowing across the border to take anything they can get their hands on!!!!
My husband and I work very hard for every penny we have. Our son is serving his third tour in Iraq since 2002, and I believe in what we are doing to protect this country from the Radical Islamic intention to take over the world. If you believe that we are beng punished for what we have done to them, rather than that they just want to TAKE OVER THE WORLD, there are many books you should read. Here are three….
1. Islamic Imperialism by Efraim Karsh
2. While Europe Slept (How radical Islam is destroying the West from within) by Bruce Bawer
3. The Koran
In regards to this election…I came to this country when John Kennedy was running for President and have watched and voted (ever since I was old enough) in every election since. This is the most crucial election I have ever voted in. There are so many things to take into consideration.
Our physical, religious, and personal freedoms as well as the economy, education (we are falling way behind other countries) our borders, as well as our actual survival as an independent, democratic nation. Our founding fahers must be turning over in their graves to see what we have done with the wonderful opportunity they fought and died for!!!
I am a conservative, and beleive that we must reduce the size of government and spending, give our people the opportunity to be rsponsible for their own success or lack of it. It was never intended for govenment to take over where our parents left off. If you want to be controlled and have every decision made for you, try living in Saudi Arabia or Iran!!
Our forefathers, all the way to our Military men and women of today, have fought for our freedom to live in this great country. Are you really willing to turn it over to the illegal immigrants and the Radical Islamists without a fight????
Yes, we need to get out of Iraq, when the job is done, and yes we need to speed up the process of their government becoming independent and capable of running their own government.
Yes, mistakes have been made in Iraq, a lot because politicians have tried to run the war instead of letting the Military do what they have been trained to do. Their hands are tied behind their backs with “Political Correctness” and if the surge had happened a long time ago to restore relative peace, maybe their govt. would be ready to govern by now! They are infants when it comes to running their own lives, look at their past under a horrific dictator. We did not become a successful nation over night either!! I, as a mother of a SSG in the US Army, in Iraq, in DANGER, want more than anyone, for our troops to come home! However, we cannot cut and run or quit. The results would dictate our life as we know it….OVER!!!!!
We need a strong president who can let the military get the job done and done well. Or else all the young men and women who gave up their lives for this great Country, would have done so for nothing!!!
We must not let the Democrats take over, either in the Oval Office or the Congress or Senate!
We need conservaives, who will reign in pork barrel spending, and not give money away to illegal immigrants or those who are not willing to work to support their families. Have you ever stopped to think where all the money that Hillary wants to give away will come from??? OUR TAXES!!!
I am not crazy about John McCain, but I believe he will be the candidate. Therefore, we must stop all the mudslinging and get behind him to beat Hillary or Barak Obama. Remember, the President is not alone running the country. We should be concentrating on getting the Republican Senators and Congressmen re-elected instead of attacking John McCain. If he is the candidate, I assure you he will keep our country safe, and if we get the right men and women in Congress, he will be forced to listen to what we want in regards to the fence, border, etc..
We have to look at the big picture and stop all this infighting. The only way to success is through us uniting behind our candidate, rather than nit picking the things we do not like. If you list what he has done and compare it to Hillary or Obama, there is no choice! We have to have a President who will keep us safe , continue tax cuts, and allow us to experience the freedom that our Forefathers intended us to have.
Please let’s stop all the name calling and mudslinging and unite behind our candidate, even if he was not our first choice, for the sake of our country. We must unify together as conservatives, moderates and Republicans to see to it that the Democrats do not get control of this government!! Your vote matters and staying home is the same as a vote for the other side!!!
Taj — please learn proper english before posting. Your ignorance shows why you would vote for Obama. He has no experience and wants the same things that Hillary wants. There is no difference between the two. We neeed someone who will stand up for America’s traditions and it’s strength. We do more in this world to help it than any other nation. God has already blessed America but if we continue to move away from the values that this country was founded on, we will suffer for it.
Rex,
Stop assuming that anyone who disagrees with you has never studied or prayed over faith and religion.
I have spent the past five years, since first meeting a Mormon who tried to convert me, studying and praying about the Mormons. I don’t need your 17 points paper, because I’ve already read them — along with the Book of Mormon cover to cover, over which I genuinely prayed, as requested by a missionary. At the time, I was also a religious education teacher in my Catholic Church preparing youngsters for Confirmation. My chief task was to help them understand the pillars of our faith as fully expressed in the Nicene Creed, the history of which I am well aware.
Ironically, after all this studying and praying, I have come to recite the Nicene Creed every Sunday with more conviction than I ever did before I was exposed to Mormonism. I actually have to thank the boys in white shirts for bringing me closer to my “one wholly catholic and apostolic Church.” Christ gave it to Peter, and while man-made history has tainted it over the years, I will remain faithful to it as I begin to pray, “I believe in One God . . . ”
The Church continues to work toward Christian unity, but Mormonism is NOT the answer.
All the best to you. I pray that everyone who goes through a similar soul-searching as I did comes to the same conclusion. The world does not need any more heresy.
Oh- and one more thing ‘Jihad’:
I see right through your deceitful use of the term ‘innocent’. You Qu’ran states that all Muslims are innocent, all non-believers are fit for destruction, so to you and other Muslims, the Christians and Jews, Buddhists and pagans can and should be destroyed wherever you find us.
But for all of us to fight you and kill you Muslims? Well then, that’s killing ‘innocents’.
Such is the homicidal hypocrisy that is Islam.
IF YOU BELIEVE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE !!!!
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES.
83 % of the Vote is not impossible
Huckabee for President
. Social Issues
. Economy
. Reduces Taxes( that will help the RICH , the POOR and the MIDDLE CLASS)
. A voice for the Poor
. Immigration
McCain for Vice President
. Foriegn Policy
. Defense and the fight against Terrorism
VOTE HUCKABEE!!!!
Hey CD, thank for the disortation of false doctrine, we are all now dumber for having read it. I hate to burst your bubble but if you would have read to the end of each of your scripture passages you would have read that “by their fruits ye shall know them.” With the passing of President Gordon B. Hinkley I have yet to hear of someone who knew him personally speak one bad thing about him.
Regarding the trinity, BIG RED FLAG, I guess you forgot about the Niceen Creed which was, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, a gathering of men in the 4th century AD to decide what the doctrine of the “church” would be. Anyone who would put the time in and read it would be just as utterly confused as they were. Regarding the scriptures that you quoted they were all translated by MEN who had a belief in the TRINITY therefore it is tainted. This is why we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe the Bible to be the word of God AS FAR AS IT IS TRANSLATED CORRECTLY.
Regarding the early church, the books of Corithians, Ephesians, Romans, Galations, Phillipians, Colosians, & Thessalonians were all written by Paul and why…..for a couple of reasons. The people in these places were new converts to the church and therefore needed instruction, they had cultural differences that sometime swayed them away from the gospel, they had not COME TO A UNITY OF FAITH and never did before the priesthood was taken from the earth.
That is perfectly fine that you do not want to believe that you existed before your mother concieved you. You can limit yourself all you want. Just know that I know that God knew you before you were formed in the womb just as he knew Jeremiah in the OLD Testament before he was formed in the womb.
Finially you got something right yes the sacrament is in remeberance of the blood and body of Christ.
The scriptures tell us in the mouth of TWO OR THREE WITNESSES SHALL EVERY WORD BE ESTABLISHED. You have the bible there is your one witness, I hope and pray that you will open up your heart and understand all of the scriptures God has given to the world. Again if you would like to know the 17 points of the true church (highlighted in the bible) feel free to email me and I will send it over for your review. rexwhiteppl@gmail.com
this and that, on one side is the preacher (Obama) and the other side is the car salesman (Clinton), and atb the end of the day the “preacher” has said all the right words, gotten his collection plate filled, and has left us with “words” and no action,,,,with the car dealer (Clinton) you have listened to all her crap,,, of this and that, but in the end, you are driving a car, not the best one, but at least it runs, ,,,talk can only get you so far, with wheels we can go around the block,,,guess what,,,Im driving,,,
wow -if a white candaidate had admittied smoking marijuana and using cocaine - he wouldn’t have any chance of getting elected.
If I were a Romney supporter, i’d vote for Hillary!
Reason is, a true republican must cut Obama’s infidel head!!!
Well ‘Jihad’, you certainly underlined my position again, thank you for doing it so clearly too - only you are too stupid to see how you helped me.
Let me paraphrase something that you should recognize immediately:
My God is not your god, neither will I worship your god.
…but I will add the following: one day you will worship my God, the true God of Heaven, not the satanic, pagan moon god that al lah is.
When your false prophet Mohammed spoke with a demon who took the name Gabriel, that demon spouted all kinds of lies that the true archangel of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures told of.
Your Mohammed thought he was going insane, hid in a cave in fear for his life and sanity. His own family and kinsmen didn’t take him seriously either. He cursed them. Wow. That’s some kind of religion to curse one’s family.
He was a child molester, and in order to not be stoned to death for his sin, he ‘married’ the little girl. She was 6 years old.
The ritual walk around that black monolith was of pagan origin. The tossing of pebbles was of pagan origin; and what Mohammed tried to do was to give a violent, pathologically hate-filled pagan religion some kind of authority by promoting himself as having been given status as a prophet by a demon. Indeed he was a prophet - a FALSE prophet.
You can lie all you want. I know that’s part of the Qu’ran - to lie when necessary to the infidel but I am proud of worshipping the True God of Heaven, and your al lah isn’t any god. So what? do you pray for a fatwa now? al jal.
You will one day know you have worshipped a false and murderous ‘god’. I neither fear you nor your god, neither do I recognize you or your false god.
The devil and the demons can quote Scripture but their time is coming to an end soon. And so will you and your false religion and non-god.
Jesus the Christ is our Saviour. Even yours. He is the Son of God, and those who follow in His footsteps will one day be a God too. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, a Jew and those who would follow Him must be a Jew inwardly.
In the meantime, whatever ‘power’ your murderous satanic al lah has, it has been given to satan by God to do His will.
In whatever country you have Islam, there will you see bloodshed. Islam is populated by murderous barbarians, little men who were corrupted with lies, bribed by sex and booty, given revenge as an excuse to murder and in short influenced by the demonic realm. You even have to be bribed with sex to be motivated - by young boys and prepubescent girls, and ‘virgins’ in the afterlife.
How pathetic you are.