The 2008 Democratic Convention could turn out to be a cowboy showdown this August in Denver, Colorado. With Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a heated neck to neck contest in delegate votes, the two could end up gunning down the Chairman of the Democrat National Committee Howard Dean. If the feuding between Clinton and Obama continues at the national convention, Dean could be forced to resign if no clear winner is decided on during the party convention. Dean, of course, will be blamed for not stopping Michigan and Florida from moving their primaries to January.

Because Dean failed to use his clout, this year's national convention could be a ruckus showdown between Clinton and Obama delegates, and everyone trying to persuade the super delegates to vote for either candidate. To say the least, this year's 2008 Democrat Convention is looking like a storm brewing in the horizon.

If matters aren't settled by August, and both Clinton and Obama are fighting for the nomination, the Denver, Colorado convention could boil down to one of the most memorable in US history, even more memorable that the 1968 Democrat Convention in Chicago, Illinois, when Chicago Mayor had demonstrators at the convention arrested.

Everything right now is academic. Party bosses are still unsure what to do with the Michigan and Florida primary results. Neither candidate ran a strong campaign in either state. And Obama did not have his name on the ballot in Michigan. So for those party bosses who call for the votes in those two states to stand as is will cause problems if done. And if Michigan and Florida are denied voices during the convention this will also ruffle feathers. Dean is looking at a huge potential headache right in the face and it might blow up on him in August.

Dean knows this, so he has been asking officials from both states to come up with a solution. So far no viable solution has been offered. To redo the primary will cost each state $24 million, a sum the Democrat National Committee is not willing to pay for, and so far the states are not willing to pay for it. Suggestions have been made to have mail in ballots, but that idea has never gained momentum.

In the end with a close contest between Clinton and Obama, and two states forfeiting their delegates only means trouble at the national convention.

Another sore spot where more trouble could brew is super delegates. Right now 340 of the 795 super delegates have not committed. There all important votes are still up in the air, and the few who have committed to Clinton have changed their minds and are now backing Obama.

This spells trouble for the Democrats. A divided party is a weak party and gives the Republican nominee John McCain a better chance at winning the US presidency in November.

Learn more about this author, Frank Lavoine.
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