Tracy,

[drifting further from the title...]
one thing I at first put aside as one of the more stupid things happening in the whole process were the primaries with blocked delegates. On the Rep side everything seems to be clear as McCain is so far ahead/already has enough votes and they banned only about 5% of the total delegate count (1260 vs. "original-total-half" 1259). On the Dem side there were at least 2 primaries from rel. large states where the delegates are not awarded, not given a vote or not counted - Florida and Michigan.

I found different numbers for the total delegate/super delegate count, and believe the "magic 2025" to be the number needed if "banned" delegates are not given a vote (mostly based on a msnbc page). The former number seems to have been about 9% more (different numbers found, most slightly above 4400). Is that "ruling" generally accepted by now (nearly half the number of the super delegates gone! Florida again!!) or do you expect some sudden recounting/trying to seat the Clinton advantage from these states ? Even given the fact that Obama only was on the florida ticket, whereas Hil was on both ?

Or is this a "dead issue" by now ? In McCain's shoes I'd think loudly 2-3 weeks before the dem convention if or how delegates from those banned states can be given a vote in the rep convention or at least otherwise be "represented"<bg>. A clear win-win for him if played on low key, as some voters from those states will feel "recognized" by the reps

[puzzled] regards

thomas

>Now it's time to step back and look honestly at the media and the campaign Mike. All of the major news services have admitted and pointed out that the media as a whole has given Obama a free ride. In comparison, Hilary was given a much harder time by the media. That has even been on most news broadcasts recently admitting it. Everyone is wondering if the media will finally get tough on Obama now that the race is so close. I listened to CBS, ABC and CNN all asking the same question last week. (Keep in mind I am anything BUT a Hillary fan)
>