I hope this contest runs right down to the wire....

[Flabbergasted]

Found this comment on truthdig. The only thing I would add is a long primary is ideal as long as we don't have a convention battle.

I hope this contest runs right down to the wire. The longer we can keep Obama and Clinton in front of the voters, the longer we keep the issues that are hurting repubs as much as dems in the spotlight. And since both candidates have similar positions on those issues, that’s a good thing.

Of course there are those who say this gives McCain time to refine and improve his technique, but it also delays a clear definition of attack for the repubs. Besides, McCain can barely raise his voice now. I don’t anticipate he will suddenly become a fire-brand after the dem convention. And not being sure who the candidate is means he has to prepare two strategies. At what point in time will he slip and overlap?


http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20080218_edwards_said_to_be_leaning_toward_clinton

[babylonsister]

1. Surprisingly, Schumer and Rangel, Clinton supporters, don't agree:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=108x125798

Clinton reliance on super delegates questioned
N.Y. congressman says action may not reflect will of voters
by Newsday


MILWAUKEE - Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., one of Hillary Clinton's most stalwart black defenders, is apparently questioning her reliance on unelected super delegates to stay competitive with Barack Obama, saying they may not reflect the "will" of Democratic voters.

"It's the people (who are) going to govern who selects our next candidate and not super delegates," Rangel said Sunday night at a dinner for the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators conference in Albany, N.Y.

"The people's will is what's going to prevail at the convention and not people who decide what the people's will is," he added.

Super delegates, who are usually high-ranking party officials, are free to choose any candidate, unlike "pledged" delegates apportioned by primaries and caucuses. Obama's approximately 40-delegate lead overall would be much larger were it not for Clinton's 75-delegate edge among the supers.

Earlier Sunday, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., another major Clinton supporter, expressed his discomfort with her willingness to battle Obama for delegates on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. New York's senior senator, speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," called on Clinton and Obama to agree on a winner after the final caucus in Puerto Rico, saying a protracted fight will rip apart the party in a year when they're favored to win the White House.

more...

http://www.dailymail.com/News/election08/200802180126

[Flabbergasted]

4. I think she's bluffing at this point.....Whoever is behind in June

should bow out. The SD's will weigh in as well. Once they've voted, the candidates will have a much clearer idea of what to do. The remaining SD's will take a long look at the data and fall behind Obama. If they don't, (I'll be surprised) and Obama's behind, Obama will need to take the VP slot or wait till he can run again.

I doubt Hillary is dumb enough to go to the convention and fight for SD's. It's a bluff.

[Maddy McCall]

2. I hope it lasts through March 11, cuz I wanna vote!

And I want my vote to matter. :D

[jmg257]

3. My concern - what is getting more attention - Dems vs McCain or Hill vs Obama? The latter for sure.

[Flabbergasted]

5. That's actually the point. McCain takes the back-burner.

No one will care about GE coverage until the primaries are over.

[bigbrother05]

6. IMO, both are giving GE type speeches now

Each has honed their message in ways that sound more like they have assumed victory and are campaigning against the GOP. For all our (and the MSM's) wrangling over the latest flap between the campaigns, they are both laying out what will be their GE positions and they are very strong.