Brokered Conventions

One of the things making this year more interesting than most past election years is the prospect (small, but real) that neither party may have a clear 1st ballot winner by the time Minneapolis and Denver roll around. Edwards showing in Nevada makes this seem less likely for us, but the GOP is still a huge mess.

If this scenario were to come to pass, my guess is that the 2nd ballot for our side will open with someone nominating Al Gore; my guess is the 2nd ballot for their side will open with a nomination of Newt Gingrich.

If the Dems were smart they'd nominate someone who is, Joe Biden. Then we'd know we could win. Otherwise, it's a crap shoot.

selection is so "close". It is easy to steal then. It has always been close since Bush stole power when most the country hates him. How is that except for manipulation, etc.

Remember that it was Democrat Richard Daley who "delivered" the Illinois vote in the razor thin Kennedy/Nixon election.

You're not wrong -- an election within a point can be manipulated pretty readily. However, I don't think the close polls and results are manipulation -- I honestly think we're a pretty conflicted nation with 2 very conflicted parties at the moment.

nominate somebody who hadn't gotten a single vote and doesn't have any fundraising/campaigning apparatus in place? That would be suicide.

They're the ones who have the most party clout, the biggest machines, who can twist people's arms and do the back-room deals.

Clinton is not my first pick of the current batch of players, but I think she has a huge advantage if this thing goes to the convention floor. The Clintons control much of the party machinery, and they have shown that they know how to operate it. If it goes to a brokered convention, it stops being about the will of the voter and becomes a nasty smoke-filled-room situation. I also worry about all the promises and favors a candidate will have to grant to get nominated this way. It's a pretty shitty way to pick a candidate.