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The Democrats are in a pickle. It now appears that neither of their presidential candidates can gain enough delegates in the remaining primaries to claim the nomination, so the so-called super delegates will have a big say-so in picking the winner this year.

The ordinary concern of these party leaders would be to choose the person who has the better chance of beating the Republicans in the Fall. Early on, it seemed Barack Obama was that candidate, but it is now clear that much of the bloom has gone from his candidacy. Fairly or not, serious questions have been raised about him and the direction in which he wants to take the country, and it appears that he is being marginalized as the candidate of blacks and the young. Limited in that way, he cannot win.

But no Democrat candidate can win WITHOUT the black vote, and there is reason to believe African-Americans may boycott the November election if their man is denied the nomination after doing so well in the early going. Or they could rip the party asunder at its August convention, reminiscent of 1968 when there was blood in the streets of Chicago and virtual blood on the convention floor.

Hillary Clinton steadfastly refuses to withdraw, and why should she? Lately she has been winning and has captured all but one of the big swing states. Meanwhile the contested votes of Florida and Michigan dangle just out of her reach. If she could somehow claim them, the game would probably be over. She would win…but what would happen to the party?

See John smile.

Tags: Hillary Clinton, John McCain, election, Barack Obama, super delegates, Florida delegates, Michigan delegates, black vote, youth vote, convention