I'm far from a Clinton lover, but how much closer would a primary race have to be for these last six primary states to be included in the decision making, in any future decision making.

Seriously, if I was West Virginia, Kentucky, or Puerto Rico next time around I'd tell Howard Dean (or his successor) to go fuck himself I'll vote when I damn well please because no matter how close a race might be I'll never count.

Hell, if I was a late state Republican I'd be pissed off as hell that I had no vote in the Primary.

And talk about screwing over Michigan and Florida. Apparently the rules of the Democratic party do not let more than 50% of the delegates from being taken as punishment for breaking party rules. If this is true, thank God Dean was never president. That little squeal did tell us a lot.

I'm with you Spikey, except for your unintelligible last paragraph :)

If I were Hillary I would stick it out until the last primary is over and done. I wouldn't pay for attack ads and I would not attack Obama in other ways either.

The opposition to Hillary staying in is based on the damage negative campaigning does to the party in general. It seems to me that damage can be eliminated while still allowing all Americans a say in the process. I might even spend some time celebrating the Democratic Party nomination process which, although much more frustrating than the GOP's, is obviously a much more accurate reflection of public opinion.

Last paragraph clarification :-) :

Dean was only entitled to take 50% of Michigan's and Florida's delegates as punishment for breaking party rules as I know understand it now.

Dean took away all of those states' delegates. Dean would have been a lousy president if this (among other things) is how he operates.

Heeeeeyaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I have to say I'm quite partial to him, as I lived for a time in Vermont and I saw him quite regularly (you see everyone in Vermont quite regularly).

I agree he should follow the rules, of course.

I believe Howard Dean has followed the rules - Ms. Clinton agreed to the same rules as Mr. Obama and knew the primary date changes for MI and FL could affect their vote counts. When she was ahead and also holding votes from both states that was fine. When the tables turned and Obama went ahead of her without them, she wanted (and still wants) them all. She can't have it both ways and she can't demand that they change the rules.

One more time.

The person who apparently broke party rules was Dean. He took more delegates away fromt the states than he was entitled to do. He could only take away 50% of the delegates not 100%

Knock, knock, anybody home? I'm coming in. :0)