The Dean 25 could decide Clinton's fate

[GoldieAZ49]

Sorry if this is a dupe, I hadn't seen it here.

The workings of the DNC to clean up this messy primary:

The Dean 25 could decide Clinton's fate

If, as Hillary Rodham Clinton has suggested, her campaign takes the fight to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations all the way to the Democratic National Convention this summer, the fate of her challenge is all but certain to hinge on 25 individuals appointed to the Credentials Committee by party Chairman Howard Dean.

The Credentials Committee, which also includes 161 members selected from the states based on primary and caucus results, is the 186-member body that will help determine whether to seat the two rogue delegations.

Since it appears virtually impossible for Clinton to win enough of the 161 members to vote out a “majority report” supporting her position — and it is unlikely that Barack Obama will win enough of them, either — the Dean 25 are in a position to hold the balance of power on a procedural matter that could play a pivotal role in deciding the Democratic presidential nomination.

Though these 25 appointees are often assumed to be handpicked Dean loyalists who will take their cues from him on the issue of seating Florida and Michigan, a Politico analysis has found that is far from certain. Many of the 25 are already publicly supporting either Clinton or Obama — and some are barely acquainted with Dean.

What follows is Politico’s guide to the Dean 25, based on interviews with appointees and additional reporting.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9698.html

Some here may be interested in who the 25 are that will be making the decision, the list shows if they have endorsed a candidate and if so who they are backing.

[Captain Hilts]

1. I'm surprised how in so many ways the DNC has reinvented the House of Lords. nt

[cloudythescribbler]

5. actually, election's virtually SURE to nominate whoever gets most pledged delegates & votes nt

[mac2]

2. No different than the 5 Supremes deciding our vote is it?

[cloudythescribbler]

3. why not have a fundraising betting pool on when HRC drops out?

my best guess would be on or around May 7. At that point it will be clear that Obama is inevitable, clearly going to get the Pelosi-required 50% + 1 of the pledged delegates. It's already clear, but the voices calling on her to end it will become a deafening roar. She won't keep going and ruin her chances for '12 if (as she may indeed SECRETLY hope -- hope springs eternal, you know) Obama loses in Nov. So then Obama, with the whole of Oregon and Kentucky, can allow at least Florida and probably BOTH FL and MI to be seated, and the Convention can be another performance like it is every election.

BARBARA BOXER FOR VEEP! (or at least a NON-hrc woman on the ticket)

[mac2]

4. No

[GoldieAZ49]

6. Look at the Clinton's political history

they have never dropped out. They will not 'listen' to anything or anyone but the votes cast.

There is a better chance of Obama dropping out than Clinton.

They will take it to the convention, make no mistake about it.

[HooptieWagon]

7. I thought it was 75 that Dean gets to appoint?

Or am I confusing two different sets of delegates?

[GoldieAZ49]

8. 25 for the Credentials Committee

he may have 75 in the DNC that are not elected officials

[Oleladylib]

9. Does Dean have any idea how useless he is...who listens?

[GoldieAZ49]

10. I doubt it, he doesn't realize he is part of the problem with this primary

but he will before it is over.

[newmajority]

11. Dean will still be standing when this is over

Not sure if I can say that about the Clintons and the DLC.

They'll wish they had picked someone else for their convenient scapegoat the last 5 years.