Tom Baldwin and Tim Reid in Washington
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Four years after the implosion of his own attempt at the Democratic presidential nomination, Howard Dean emerged yesterday as a pivotal figure in the battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Mr Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, signalled that he was open to Florida and Michigan holding new elections that Mrs Clinton’s advisers predict would reduce Mr Obama’s lead, currently standing at more than 100 delegates.
The 366 delegates picked in these two states have been stripped of their voting rights at the nominating convention this summer. Mr Dean has refused to readmit them because they broke party rules by holding primaries in January.
Although two million votes were cast in the contests — both won by Mrs Clinton — the candidates were banned from campaigning and, in Michigan, Mr Obama even took his name off the ballot.

However, Democratic leaders are now worried about insulting two states that they are desperate to win in November’s election. Mr Dean hinted yesterday that he could back a compromise being proposed by the states’ governors in which they would stage a fresh vote.
“There is some indication that they want to resolve this problem. All they have to do is come before us with rules that fit into what they agreed, and then they’ll be seated,” he said.
Terry McAuliffe, the Clinton campaign chairman, has backed a “do-over” election, saying: “Let’s let all of the voters go again.” But Mr Obama’s aides are suspicious of the two governors: Charlie Crist, in Florida, is a Republican who may yet be John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate; and Jennifer Granholm, in Michigan, is a prominent supporter of Mrs Clinton.
Mr Obama cannot be seen to be supporting the disenfranchisement of voters, however. David Plouffe, his campaign manager, said: “This is between the DNC and those state parties.”
One stumbling block is how any new contests would be paid for. A Flo-rida primary would cost about $25 million, and neither the state nor Mr Dean is prepared to foot the bill. Mrs Clinton may ask her donors to contribute, and invite her opponent to do the same. But she would probably oppose the cheaper option of caucuses because such small gatherings of voters are usually won by Mr Obama.
Both campaigns are bullish before the next round of voting in Wyoming tomorrow. At a press conference yesterday Mrs Clinton said: “Some may believe that experience doesn’t matter or even that in today’s world it’s a liability but . . . when lives are on the line and decisions must be made experience counts for everything.
“When there’s a crisis and that phone rings in the White House, whether it’s 3pm or 3am, there is no time for speeches or on-the-job training.”
Mr Obama hit back by attacking his rival’s record as First Lady. “What exactly is this foreign policy experience?” he asked. “Was she signing treaties? Was she handling crises? The answer is no.”
David Axelrod, his strategist, has signalled that he is ready to delve into past Clinton scandals and demanded that she publish her tax records, asking: “What does she have to hide?”
Howard Wolfson, Mrs Clinton’s spokesman, later compared the Obama campaign to a notorious investigator of the Clinton White House. “I for one do not believe that imitating Ken Starr is the way to win,” he said.
Neither candidate should be short of money. Mrs Clinton has raised $4 million since her big state wins in Texas and Ohio on Tuesday. Mr Obama’s campaign announced yesterday that it had smashed all records by generating $55 million in February.
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HILLARY WOULD BE IDEAL
my point of view:
i think, that it would be a great advantage for the US, if hillary clinton would be presindent. she represents the right ideals and also has much more experience in politics than obama.
i really hope, that the americans decide right and vote hillary!
Maria Marsteurer, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Bill may have had sex with Monika but for sure Bush has screwed the nation. I'll take Bill any day!
Richard Brown, Asheville, NC
I think it's time for the people from the UK to worry about their own problems. Let the americans look after theirs.To have Hilary for president would make the united states proud. I hope that she wins big time. Go Hilary GO
Evelyn , NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA
ONE VOTER TO ANOTHER
HILLARY CLINTON AND EVERY WOMANS DREAM:
There is much more here than what the average eye sees. It is one woman who has the power and the proved smarts to run the most valuable country in the world THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
You men out there you have daughters that dream, go to school study hard, with dreams of one day maybe become the President of the United States. If it where your sons, you would be exhilarated, or a major league baseball player for your son. Well, mothers dream too, they dream for their sons and THEIR DAUGHTERS.
Hillary has reached that plateau for all Mothers and Daughters to dream
that they too, can make our country better, stronger, and protect it with all their hearts and minds and souls...
Why cant women share in the dreams. Slowly they are in baseball, basketball, car races, they have proved they have what it takes. Now
let them show you what they can do......they will make you proud.
carol, retired 64
CAROL, OAK LAWN, il
I must say I am amazed no one has spoken clearly about Bill Clinton's return to the Whote House - do we want a West Wing or a Sex Wing? Sure Hillary was the poor old duped wife and sure most men do such things. But they are not running for the White House.
Phil, Hong Kong,
Has America / Howard Dean gone mad.
If the Democratic National Committee can dare to disenfranchise nearly 10% of the US population by denying Michigan & Florida votes - then God help America ii the democrats were to win the Presidential election......
Richard, Bucharest,
What an absolute waste of time. All this media hype about Clinton-Obama. Thne fact of the matter is John McCain will be the next President of the United States of America.
A Syed, London, England
Obama, all style and no substance. At last being rumbled by the good people of the US.
As a Senator what are Barack Hussein Obama's legislative successes? It shouldn't take people too long to answer that one.
It has to be Hillary for President, there is no alternative.
GARRY LLOYD, Lowton, Warrington, England
This is the first time I have actively participated in the political process other than just voting.
I am appalled at Hillary Clinton's campaign tactics. It is as if she is running against the very thing Democrats stand for. Aligning herself with John McCain as having all the experience to be President and Barack Obama having none. Just what qualifies her versus Barack Obama? All three of them have never been President, and it would be a learning curve for each of them.
Clifford Mullins Jr., Cedar Hill, TX
It is just like her dirty politics to want to change the game when it is not in her favor. The DNC clearly stated that if you moved your primaries up, your delegates would not be counted. My understanding is both candidates agreed to that, and both statesâ delegates were not counted. Michigan and Florida did that to themselves. Hillary do not cry foul now! If the DNC changed or allows the rules to be changed in the middle of the game, you are no better than her politics.
Those super delegates who want to vote differently than their constituencies, I say vote them out of office when they come up for re-election. Representatives are supposed to back their constituencies, not vote against them.
Clifford Mullins Jr.
Dallas TX
Clifford Mullins Jr., Cedar Hill, TX
Although I simpathize with Obama, I would vote for
Hillary Clinton for many reasons.
However if Obama wins the nomination and goes on to be the
President :
1. USA would have given a great example to the whole world
2. It might though turn out to be an apocalyptic " signs of the
times" ( u know what I mean! )
Viva L'america!!!!! Bea from Milan, Italy
Beatriz, Milan, Italy
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