Hello, Democrats, how about some clarity?

We residents of the Hanging Chad State learned in 2000 that election tallies have margins of error. But seven years later, it's still hard to swallow the constant reminders of how badly the world's biggest democracy handles close elections.

Last week, nine days after the polls closed, New Mexico declared Hillary Rodham Clinton the winner of the Democrats' primary there. That was a month after Clinton beat Barack Obama in the Nevada caucuses by 6 percentage points - but Obama still won more Nevada delegates toward the nomination.

Meanwhile, 1.75-million Democrats voted in Florida, but their ballots won't count in the Democratic nomination fight - unless, of course, the party changes its mind. Florida Democrats could hold a new election with only a few thousand voters participating, for instance, and the Democratic National Committee would likely recognize it as a more legitimate contest than the statewide primary. (More here from Times Political Editor Adam C. Smith.)

Comments

[Gene Smith]

Adam - we're DEMOCRATS. You want clarity from us?

And here all I want for Christmas...

How about some clarity on GOP Chair Jim Greer's alleged unruly behavior at strip clubs?

Dr. Dean better fix this mess or else the 1968 convention will seem like a Boy Scout Jamboree. If Hillary loses by the amount of FL and MI's delegates, you can bet a lawsuit will be on tap. If Obama wins the pledged delegates, but the Supers put Hillary over the top, people will scream that old white guys stole the election.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it at least 83 times…

Howeird Dunce and Karrupt Thurmadrunk will lose this for the Democrats.

Dunce doesn’t have the intellect and Thurmadrunk has the GOP check.

Game over.

The Dems need clarity before they can share it, silly Adam. Howard Dean doesn't know what to do. Hillary doesn't want a do-over and Obama doesn't says the first race shouldn't count -- just like Hillary before she won it. I think Michigan is the problem for Florida. National Dems won't count that race, where Hil ran against and soundly defeated "uncommitteed". And if they wont' count that race, guess what? They ain't counting Florida. Caucus anyone?

10:26 You want clarity:

The behavior was alleged. He was not convicted of a crime. In america we have a principle in our justice system that says: "innocent until proven guilty"

You must have missed that day of 1st grade...

"In america we have a principle in our justice system that says:"

Innocent; so long as you have enough money and/or political clout that say’s so.

The only “clarity” the Dems need is;

Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton

That is the winning combination against McAmnesty/Mcwhoever

[Sound Off]

Whatever keeps Hillary off the ticket is fine with me.

what's unclear? delegates from FL and MI don't count. blah, blah, hillary thinks it costs her the election. her blindly supporting bush's illegal war is what lost it for her. had she at least apologized this would be a very different election.

Looking forward to President Obama's leadership.

Obambi's leadership? What has he ever lead? Can you name one accomplishment he's been responsible for in either the Illinois Legislature or from his 3 years in the Senate?

10:45
We also know that persons in the public eye, like the chair of the state Republican Party, are held to a higher standard of conduct and scrutiny. If the allegations are untrue, why doesn't Greer just say so rather than issuing a non-denial that he won't dignify the allegations with a response?

When looking at either McAmnesty or McClinton… neither has accomplished a damn thing in the Senate. Oh, the obligator pitter/patter authoring and/or offering of Legislation… but nothing of substance from either.

Understanding that it’s all about Cabinet Appointments anyway, I’m good to go with Obama as the “Face” of America. He’s inspiring, he’s fresh, he’s new, he’s articulate… and more importantly; he neither a Clinton nor a Bush.

The bottom line is; he can do no worse than the babbling baboon we have now from the right, or the cackling wench who challenges him on the left.

[presidential ?]

bomb bomb bomb bomb iran......

“I didn’t want to get in a game of chicken with the national Democratic Party, but candidly, I don’t represent Howard Dean,” said Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach. “I represent a lot of people who would like to be in the primary journey as more than just potential contributors.” (The St. Pete Times, February 9, 2007)

[Is So]

Just think of all the lip service the Clinton's have given the down-trodden, disenfranchised and the poor over the years. Now the Clinton's realize why the down-trodden, disenfranchised and the poor shouldn't be voting to begin with. Sweet Justice

New Mexi-doh!

[Boo Boo]

10:54
You got it man or woman. Whatever the ticket reads the state of Fla will be blue (unless we are all executed again) by the GOP.
Stay the course, 100 more years in Iraq, lets just print more money and go further inot debt. Not a chance!!!

Just think of all the lip service the rich, fat, white, pasty perverts have given the rich, fat, white, pasty perverts over the years. Now America will realize why the the rich, fat, white, pasty perverts shouldn't be voting to begin with. Sweet Justice

Speaking of rich, fat, white, pasty, etc., has Greer issued any denial of Strippergate yet?

Damn, people are not going to drop the greer thing are they?

Why should people drop "the greer thing" (Strippergate) when GOP Chair Jim Greer refuses to "dignify" the allegations with a response?

Obviously it is BS if he hasnt even responded to it. Anything acts that prove it could be true?

2:10
It is obviously BS "if he hasn't even responded to it"? Sounds like Nixon's Watergate defense!

I am not a fan of Greer, but even the Times said there is not evidence it is true. If it is not true, why should he comment, just so those of you who think you are so morally above anyone else can satisfy your gutter-based curiosity?
Get over it.

Greer is the one who said that any Republican in office was better than any Democrat. Sounds like he is the one who thinks that he and his fellow Family Values buddies are the ones who think they are "morally above anyone else".

[Letme]

11:12 evidently you don't do your own research before spouting off your keyboard - let me show you ...

Obama played a leadership role in promoting seven amendments that strengthened the 2005 bill when it was on the floor and did not stop fighting to strengthen the bill after it was passed, introducing legislation in 2007 to END ome of the most egregious tax breaks for the oil industry that were part of the 2005 bill. [HR 6, Vote 139, 6/15/06; SA 851 to HR 6, Passed by UC, 6/23/05; HR 6, Vote 141, 6/16/05; HR 6, Vote 145, 6/21/05; SA 919 to HR 6, Passed by UC, 6/23/05; 110th, S. 115, Referred to Finance, 1/4/07; S. 133, Introduced 1/4/07; S. 767, Passed Commerce Committee, 5/8/07

those tax breaks - HRC voted in favor of the oil companies getting those tax breaks

"If Hillary loses by the amount of FL and MI's delegates, you can bet a lawsuit will be on tap."

Not much of a case when HILLARY AGREED TO THE RULES!!!