Democratic Party Leaders Rally Behind the Weaker Candidate

Dems dominate the headlines in Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and South Dakota:

Clinton Expected to Win Big in Puerto Rico Today

From the Trail (Washington Post):

“The Obama campaign has said consistently that it expected to lose the primary here, given Clinton's popularity with Hispanic voters and the high profile she established on the island during her husband's presidency. A poll released last week by the Democratic firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, conducted for the Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero and the television network Univision, found that among all Puerto Rican adults, Clinton led Obama 55 percent to 42 percent, with the remainder undecided. But among those who said they were certain to vote, Clinton's lead expanded to 59 percent, compared with 40 percent for Obama.”

Clinton Campaign’s Statement on Results of Rules and Bylaws Committee Meeting

The Clinton Campaign deserves the final word about the action taken yesterday by the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee to resolve the Michigan and Florida dilemma. Pointing out the violation of the Committee's own rules and its flagrant disrespect for Michigan voters, Harold Ickes and Tina Flournoy issued the following statement:

"Today’s results are a victory for the people of Florida who will have a voice in selecting our Party’s nominee and will see its delegates seated at our party’s convention. The decision by the Rules and Bylaws Committee honors the votes that were cast by the people of Florida and allocates the delegates accordingly.

"We strongly object to the Committee’s decision to undercut its own rules in seating Michigan’s delegates without reflecting the votes of the people of Michigan.

"The Committee awarded to Senator Obama not only the delegates won by Uncommitted, but four of the delegates won by Senator Clinton. This decision violates the bedrock principles of our democracy and our Party.

"We reserve the right to challenge this decision before the Credentials Committee and appeal for a fair allocation of Michigan’s delegates that actually reflect the votes as they were cast."

Word from Clinton Supporters

Clinton’s supporters aren’t taking the Michigan resolution lightly. Taylor Marsh begins her response:

"Dear Rules and Bylaw Committee Power Brokers

"@(*D!!!#!

"*(!#!!!$%!!*@!!

"Whew, I needed to get that out before beginning.

"Could you be more out of touch? Seriously. Have you not talked to any Hillary Clinton supporters, read their emails in your inbox?

"For 4 lousy delegates? How small are you people? Could you not understand what was swirling enough to allow Clinton her due in Michigan? Four lousy delegates?"

Read More.

The Obamas Withdraw Their Membership From Trinity UCC

In response to the latest widely circulated, videotaped outrage at his Chicago church, Barack Obama announced in South Dakota last night that he and his wife Michele have withdrawn their membership from Trinity United Church of Christ.

I just watched the video of Obama’s statement delivered at a podium somewhat ironically bearing his mantra, “Change We Can Believe In.”

I got the impression that Obama was far more annoyed with the public outrage at Father Pfleger’s mockery of Hillary Clinton from the pulpit than he was with Father Pfleger, his friend and long-time supporter on the Chicago political scene.

Obama described Pfleger’s remarks about Clinton as “unfair,” which seems to drastically understate the cruelty of the priest’s racially charged sexist diatribe.

Obama also used the occasion to reaffirm his respect for Otis Moss, Rev. Wright’s successor at Trinity. Recall that following Pfleger’s sermon last Sunday, Moss stepped up to the pulpit and told his wildly cheering congregation that we "thank God for the message and for the messenger." In case you missed it, watch Father Pfleger in action here, and watch Obama’s statement here.