"But at this time, in this party, being black is an enormous asset. Given America's long, torturous path toward racial justice, many Democrats simply cannot imagine denying the nomination to the first serious African-American candidate for president. From a moral perspective, that's a noble judgment. From a political perspective, it could cost Democrats the White House. " Yes, Cokie and Steven, the Obama campaign is historic. And the nomination of an African-American for president would be historic. So, in my opinion, would be the nomination of a woman. Furthermore, depriving a woman of her chance by bullying her from the race in spite of her very strong showing in the primary in spite of being vastly outspent would be historic inasmuch as no other presidential candidate in the history of the Democratic Party has been so treated. It would set a precedent for short circuiting democracy that I see as dangerous to the future of the people's right to decide who will rule. What's more, it would send a powerful message to 51% of the population that has, until now, only dreamed of a chance at the White House, and thereby, do real damage to Democratic hopes for the future. I am for democracy. Yes, it is time consuming and sometimes inconvenient. However, I see our discomfort and even frustration about the back and forth of a campaign and waiting until all voters have their say, etc. as a small price to pay for "rule by the people." In my opinion, the people of America have been robbed of their right to select their president by majority vote over the last eight years in one and probably two national elections. Now, a majority of Democrats may be robbed by their own party of their say in a real choice (as far as the popular vote goes) on the nominee. Is that progress? I expect the DNC, the Rules and Bylaws Committee, and the Party as a whole to make a selection of a candidate based on the demonstrated ability of that candidate to win the election in November. Otherwise, I'm an Independent in search of a new party. The price of my vote is respect for my gender and for my intelligence.

I believe the DNC have made some incredible mistakes throughout this nomination process, first by punishing MI and FL so harshly and then by presenting us with an unknown and unvetted flawed candidate such as Obama. Had it not been for his associations and his extremist liberal views I might have been inclined to vote for him. I do believe that that he is full of hate and racism fueled by his 20 years with Rev Wright. I especially cannot understand how he could let his children be exposed to this. I have read alot about his Chicago ties and think they are dispicable. For the first time in my adult life I will most likely be voting for a republican if Clinton is not the nominee. My voter's registration card will be going from Dem to Independent in the future and I have made no donations to the DNC. I believe our Dem system needs alot of fixing considering we have only ourselves to blame for all the idiotic mistakes that have been made over the last 9 years.