Let 'em duke it out

[ozone_man]

The Obama-Clinton drama is good for voters and the Democratic Party. And bad for John McCain.

By Walter Shapiro

(snip)

The Democrats have reached the point where it is ludicrous to suggest that Clinton or Obama or all 795 superdelegates drop out of the race. When there is no clarity, there can be no early conclusion. Obama's 101-delegate lead, according to the Associated Press tally , is not exactly a definitive manifestation of the popular will when 2,025 is the magic number for nomination. While Obama is indisputably ahead, no presidential candidate in modern memory has ever hoisted the white flag at this stage in the campaign with the contest this close. Whether it was Ronald Reagan against Jerry Ford in 1976 or Ted Kennedy against Jimmy Carter in 1980 or Gary Hart seemingly against the world in 1984, the expectation was that even last-ditch battles would be decided at the convention.

But somewhere along the way, presidential politics went from a blood sport to a bland sport. The leaders of both parties decreed that political conventions had to be scripted like an Oscar telecast. The Democrats in 2004 (thank you, Bob Shrum and co.) were so afraid of controversy that they even stripped out most attacks on George W. Bush from the convention program. Small wonder the networks treat the non-news conventions like cheesy summer-replacement series that no one is expected to watch. And having stripped the lifeblood out of once raucous conventions (the Democrats went through 103 steamy ballots in 1924), the next step was to decide on early nominees so that the fall campaign could commence before it was even spring.

(snip)

John McCain announced Tuesday that he would be heading for Florida on Thursday to campaign in West Palm Beach. But the problem McCain faces is that he still has a faceless opponent with the Democratic race far from settled. So, in effect, McCain will be shadowboxing against a vague entity called Obama-Clinton. The result is that (just wait and see) McCain will find it difficult to make news since there is no longer any drama to anything that he does until it becomes time to pick a running mate. The Project for Excellence in Journalism, which monitors media coverage, found that last week the Democratic race generated four times the attention of the Republicans. And that news blackout occurred when McCain still had a nominal opponent in Mike Huckabee.

So rather than fantasizing about a soporific and conflict-free nomination fight, the Democrats should recognize the value of what they have stumbled into. The contest between Obama and Clinton -- this battle of historic firsts -- has the entire nation hanging on the edge of their seats. Who with any sense of show business would think of pulling down the curtain when the audience is shouting for more? But, then, if the Democrats had any sense of what the public craved, George W. Bush probably would not be in the White House.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/03/06/democratic_primaries/

This is the way I see it. Requests from supporters of candidate A for candidate B to drop out are silly, especially when you put this in historic context. Also we need to realize that this contest generates excitement and is only good for the Democratic Party. By definition the DP is disorganized. That's where the energy comes from. Chaos. ;)

"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat." - Will Rogers

[leftofcool]

1. "dominating the news" "hanging onto the edge of their seats"

I like it!

[ozone_man]

3. Five more months of publicity

while McCain doesn't know who to go after. I think it can be only good for the Democrats.

Between Mississippi and Pennsylvania are seven long weeks, so it will be hard to sustain this manic level of excitement. I'm sure the MSM will come up with something.

Time to take a deep breath and dig in for the long haul.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. McCain will have to attack two targets and Clinton and Obama

can double team him. I don't see any disadvantage to us there.

[Captain Hilts]

2. They're both good: Ali-Frazier, Frazier-Ali, Ali-Frazier, Frazier-Ali.....nt

[BlackVelvet04]

4. I thought this was such a good article

I accidentally duped it.

Millions of people are hearing the Democratic message because of this race and that has to be a good thing. Let the games continue!

[ozone_man]

7. Also, it's a toughening process.

The primary survivor will be very likely to survive the general.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I think this is the best strategy, also. I don't think either Clinton or

Obama is going to concede this race as long as they feel they have any chance, regardless how slim it may be. This is giving the Democratic party more coverage and attention than we've seen for a long time.