Negotiating Democracy: Brazile, Obama Plot to Keep Hillary off Convention Ballot

Original Link: http://donedems.com/2008/07/10/negotiating-democracy-brazile-obama-plot-to-keep-hillary-off-convention-ballot/

Obama and his minions are planning on staging some political deja vu by preventing Hillary’s name from being put into nomination, much in the same way Obama forced out Alice Palmer. Seems he feels he can only win elections if he runs unopposed. Not surprising, considering his enormous lack of experience and a resume thinner than Kate Moss.

Except, this time, there is no legal pretense, just his own blind ambition and ego that demands a 76,000 seat stadium and a speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Germany before he’s even the official nominee, much less the president.

Here are his minions, including the infamous Donna Brazile, trying to explain how following Party legalities and requirements would be too much of a blow to Obama’s ego [H/T to Riverdaughter]:

The problem is “there’s a strong feeling” that Sen. Clinton’s delegates need the chance to vote for her, Mr. Devine said. Many are still angry with a party decision that they feel deprived her of delegates from Michigan and Florida. “You don’t want a situation where anybody feels they’ve been cheated,” he said.

A second option would be for Sen. Clinton to be nominated, complete with laudatory speeches and happy floor demonstrations. By prearrangement, Sen. Clinton then would take her name out of consideration and endorse Sen. Obama’s nomination.

“There’s nothing symbolically wrong to putting her name in,” followed by a scripted withdrawal, said Ms. Brazile. But the spectacle of a rapturous welcome for Sen. Clinton would be irresistible to television and could embarrass Sen. Obama.

~snip~

The Obama campaign said Monday that the Illinois senator would accept the nomination at the 76,000-seat stadium where the Denver Broncos football team plays so that thousands of nondelegates could attend. But the campaign hasn’t settled other key questions about the convention, including whether Sen. Clinton’s name will be put into nomination, said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

Sen. Clinton’s campaign office didn’t answer emails seeking comment. Under party rules, Sen. Clinton’s huge delegate count gives her the right to put her name into nomination. “But do you do it?” asked Ms. Brazile. ”Politically, does it heighten tensions?” [emphasis added]

First and foremost, the “problem” isn’t that we, Senator Clinton’s delegates and her over 18 million supporters, want and deserve the opportunity to vote for her, the problem is that you all see it as a problem. And you’re damn right that if we don’t get the chance to vote for her, we will not only “feel cheated” we will have been cheated. And trust me, if we are cheated in this way, compiled with the other numerous injustices of the primary, there will be no unity. Not now, not in November, not ever.

Second, under no circumstances will we accept some sort of “prearranged” condition under which Hillary is forced to remove her name from consideration so that the Chosen One may be exalted. Democracy isn’t a damn dog and pony show! Both names should be put into nomination. Hell, throw Edwards in there too. Speeches should be given and all delegates, automatic (super) and pledged, should be allowed to cast their ballot. Anything less is not Democracy. After all, Shirley Chisholm, the first African American and the first woman to run for the top spot of a major party received 152 votes on the first ballot and during the roll call in 1972 and she did not even win a primary state! For Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and her delegates to not be given their earned opportunity and voice is unthinkable.

And as for you, Donna, I don’t give a rat’s a** what does or does not embarrass Obama. Frankly, his unbridled ambition, and inability to form a sentence without the aid of a TelePrompTer should already be embarrassing.

Embarrassment is one thing and injustice is another.

It is inconceivable that there is even discussion of not placing Hillary’s name into nomination. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the first woman to ever win a presidential primary or caucus contest. Beyond that, she is the winner of the popular vote and boasts a significant delegate count. Indeed, she would be the pledged delegate leader but for unscrupulous and undemocratic happenings at the Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting.

Moreover, I thought we were against “changing the rules in the middle of the game” Donna?!?! So why are there even questions when clearly, “under party rules” Senator Clinton has a right to put her name into nomination? If he’s won, then he’s won. Why the need to fix the convention and subvert Democracy (AGAIN) because the Almighty Obama won’t be fully and unequivocally worshipped? No need to answer, Donna, we already know the answer: BECAUSE HE HASN’T WON DIDDLY, FRIGGIN SQUAT!

And just in case you didn’t know, 76,000 chanting sycophants on constant kool-aid IV drip will not be enough to silence the millions of Hillary supporters. We can smell what you’re cooking from here Donna, and it stinks to high heaven.

Now more than ever, we all need to be working with The Denver Group to ensure that there is an open, free and truly democratic convention.

The goals of The Denver Group are simple:

1) An open convention.

2) Senator Clinton’s name placed in nomination. No symbolic roll call vote.

3) Speeches allowed by supporters of Senator Clinton on
behalf of her candidacy.

4) A genuine roll call vote with Senator Clinton as a legitimate candidate.

5) No coronation.

It’s a damn shame that grassroots organizations have to formed to ensure that the Democratic Party is indeed democratic.