The endless day of Delegate Debating

By GottaLaff

Chuck Todd: The latest buzz, informed speculation: Punt the Michigan issues to the Credentials Committee. But the Clinton folks don't have the votes to do that. The solution may be the default, the 69-59 split. The Rules don't want to accept the primary, but may say the Michigan Dem Party wants to allocate the delegates this way, so we'll defer to them.

Obama may get enough superdelegates that it won't matter. This is not a victory for Clinton at all, donors won't wait the 2 months. Obama camp is aggressively trying to get the superdelegate counts out by Monday. The onslaught of supers hasn't happened. I talk to supers, a couple on the committee, and one admitted that if we rule that we're not seating full delegations, and instead doing half and half, then he'll conclude that there's no math way for Hillary to win, so will come out for Obama. That's why Plouffe is here, working the room. This could be a good day for Obama.

Chris Matthews: So, a double victory: Hillary gets popular vote in Fla, and goes to Michigan goes to Credentials Committee, while Obama gets the numbers. Best case scenario.

Rachel Maddow: If they punt in Michigan, it means there's no magic number, no final delegate number, so it's still open. I'll be watching for Donna Brazile. She's a respected voice, gets spontaneous applause in the room. But she's been saying, "it's got to end."

Nora O'Donnell: After Tuesday, isn't Armageddon for the Democratic Party?

Joe Andrew (switched from Clinton to Obama): I think there will be a vote tonight, certainly on Florida, hopefully on Michigan. Closure is important. Punting to the Credentials Committee is the danger.

Chris: I think the superdelegates who are politicians, who really care about who wins, will move next week. They'll GO. Even the softer Hillary people.

Joe: I think you're right. Each excuse to NOT make a decision will be taken a way. All the primaries will be done, a Rules decision tonight, so no reason for supers to NOT announce who they're for. Obama's in a position to be perceived to compromise. He gave up the 19 delegates, so that's the way a gracious person, a winner reacts. [Chris: If Hillary's attacks go on for another 2 months, can he win the general?] Things can be "not good" for the Dems, but not necessarily help the Republicans; whether it helps the Republicans has yet to be seen.