What if Obama agreed to seat Florida and Michigan?
I know this is probably an absolute impossibility given the Obama campaign's opposition to a revote in Michigan, but what if Obama came out and said he would support seating the delegations from Michigan and Florida as is, with the "uncommitted" deciding at the convention or going to Obama?
What would that do for Obama's standing among Hillary supporters, undecideds and independents?
Obama could come out and speak about how the rules had been broken, and about how it is important to adhere to them in general to prevent future abuses. He could highlight the fact that breaking the rules and seating the delegates disadvantages two groups: his campaign and his voters in Michigan and Florida. He could then say that he is willing to accept their being seated provided his voters accept as well, for the sake of Democratic party unity and a resolution to a seemingly unsolvable problem. But he would emphasize that his accepting a bending of the rules, and his supporters in Michigan and Florida agreeing to such an extraordinary step, would be the condition upon which they are seated given the fact that rules should be honored in general.
Obama would still lead nicely in the delegate count, but the popular vote would be in jeopardy. But considering that he has a steep hill to climb now in the post-Wright controversy election, he may need a new injection of faith in his candidacy on the part of voters.
What would this do?
1) Present Obama as the sole candidate primarily and fundamentally committed to a Democrat winning in November. While Clinton argues for McCain being a better Commander in Chief than Obama, Obama is arguing for Democratic unity and strength to ensure a Republican does not win the election. I think superdelegates would appreciate that, to say the least.
2) Counteract McCain's argument that Obama is a self-serving opportunist. Obama will be taking a risk, and putting his faith in the voters, in demonstrating his concern for a Democratic victory, not his own.
3) Placate Clinton supporters who would not vote for Obama in the general if he wins the nomination without seating Florida and Michigan.
4) Placate anyone not already in his camp who is concerned about this campaign weakening the Democratic party.
5) Impress Independents who would interpret such a move as courageous and self-sacrificing.
6) Change the tone of the campaign from in-fighting, to reconciliation.
7) Change the headlines in the press to: Obama makes sacrifices for the sake of his party.
I know many of you will strongly disagree with such a notion, but I support this idea. Obama has always had faith in the American people. He has said that if he loses this election it will be because he has failed to demonstrate to the American people the strength and merits of his candidacy. I will also have faith in the American people now, and will agree to this sacrifice, and hope that the Democrats who have not yet voted, reward it with a vote for Obama in the upcoming primaries.
What would that do for Obama's standing among Hillary supporters, undecideds and independents?
Obama could come out and speak about how the rules had been broken, and about how it is important to adhere to them in general to prevent future abuses. He could highlight the fact that breaking the rules and seating the delegates disadvantages two groups: his campaign and his voters in Michigan and Florida. He could then say that he is willing to accept their being seated provided his voters accept as well, for the sake of Democratic party unity and a resolution to a seemingly unsolvable problem. But he would emphasize that his accepting a bending of the rules, and his supporters in Michigan and Florida agreeing to such an extraordinary step, would be the condition upon which they are seated given the fact that rules should be honored in general.
Obama would still lead nicely in the delegate count, but the popular vote would be in jeopardy. But considering that he has a steep hill to climb now in the post-Wright controversy election, he may need a new injection of faith in his candidacy on the part of voters.
What would this do?
1) Present Obama as the sole candidate primarily and fundamentally committed to a Democrat winning in November. While Clinton argues for McCain being a better Commander in Chief than Obama, Obama is arguing for Democratic unity and strength to ensure a Republican does not win the election. I think superdelegates would appreciate that, to say the least.
2) Counteract McCain's argument that Obama is a self-serving opportunist. Obama will be taking a risk, and putting his faith in the voters, in demonstrating his concern for a Democratic victory, not his own.
3) Placate Clinton supporters who would not vote for Obama in the general if he wins the nomination without seating Florida and Michigan.
4) Placate anyone not already in his camp who is concerned about this campaign weakening the Democratic party.
5) Impress Independents who would interpret such a move as courageous and self-sacrificing.
6) Change the tone of the campaign from in-fighting, to reconciliation.
7) Change the headlines in the press to: Obama makes sacrifices for the sake of his party.
I know many of you will strongly disagree with such a notion, but I support this idea. Obama has always had faith in the American people. He has said that if he loses this election it will be because he has failed to demonstrate to the American people the strength and merits of his candidacy. I will also have faith in the American people now, and will agree to this sacrifice, and hope that the Democrats who have not yet voted, reward it with a vote for Obama in the upcoming primaries.
