Clinton Supporters Look to Challenge Obama on the First Ballot

What is Hillary Clinton planning? That is the question on the minds of many Democratic supporters in the weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. The casual political observer would be forgiven for thinking that Mrs. Clinton is backing Obama 100%. But recent news stories raise doubts about just how loyal Bill and Hillary Clinton are.

As reported by this article, Hillary supporters don't believe that she is going to go out quietly. She had put too much effort into her presidential run and the rumors are that Bill and Hillary Clinton are counting (if not planning) a bit of theatrics at the Democratic Covention. Hillary Clinton has called for her delegates to have a role at the convention as a reward for the time they have put into her campaign. Many supporters are planning to vote for her on the first ballot in a symbolic gesture of support. She has been coy in deflecting questions about this. At first she says that she has no control over what her supporters do, but then finishes with "I think it would be better if we had a plan that actually we put in place and everybody knew what it was and then we executed it" according to Carol Felsenthal at the Huffington Post.

Clintonites to Rally at Convention

A woman's group is planning to gather in celebration of the passage of Women's Suffrage, and most of them are Hillary Clinton supporters. The word among many of her supporters going to the Convention is that they don't have to vote for Barack Obama. Mrs. Clinton's coy dancing around the issue seems to imply that her campaign, one of the craftiest in recent memory, may have a final trick of their sleeve.

But what are they angling for? Why are Clinton supporters planning on creating division at the moment when the spotlight will be on Obama? The media and the Democrats have put so much stock in making Obama appear to be the choice of all Americans, how will it look to have infighting within their own party on the national stage?

Obama's Loses His Lead and Slips in Popularity

Obama supporters are wringing their hands. His lead has all but evaporated over rival John McCain and they are banking on the traditional "bump" a candidate gets in the polls after a national convention. But if Hillary supporters follow through with their plans to put her on the first ballot, or protest outside of the convention in the name of women's rights, the Democratic Party may have a problem on their hands. Quoted in "Hillary fans plan to rally candidate in Denver" on WorldNewsDaily, a contributor says that Hillary is NOT dead. Obama is dropping in every single poll versus McCain..." and "questions will be raised by Dem insider power brokers about his 'viability." This would leave the door open for a split ballot and opening a bitter battle between Hillary and Obama supporters. Similar rumors have circulated about a disruption by Ron Paul supporters at the Republican National Convention, but that poses no serious threat to John McCain's nomination. The Democratic Party suddenly finds itself vulnerable in an election campaign that many pegged it to be wiping the floor with the GOP. Instead the Republican Party and independents seem to be rallying around John McCain as Obama has still failed to introduce himself to the public. Once considered a sure-fire thing, the Obama campaign waits in nervous anticipation for Denver's convention.

Sources:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71622

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-felsenthal/hillary-wants-at-least-a_b_116624.html

http://faithfulrebel.blogspot.com/2008/07/ron-paul-plans-mass-rally-during.html

http://us-elections.suite101.com/article.cfm/mccain_leads_obama