Party Chiefs Plan Push To Avoid Long Fight

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120873961916530121.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox

Party Chiefs Plan Push To Avoid Long Fight
By JACKIE CALMES
April 21, 2008; Page A1


Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton unveiled new negative television ads and attacked each other personally from the stump this weekend ahead of Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, stoking more worries among Democrats that the party's eventual nominee will head into the general election badly damaged.

The rising vitriol is prompting more Democrats to demand that party leaders do something to end the battle. But no single leader or clique exists within the fractious party to end the fight, and those with influence insist voters must have their say.

Nevertheless, some party leaders are quietly planning to try to end the clash, said people familiar with the matter. After the primaries end in June, these influential Democrats -- led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- plan to push the last uncommitted party leaders to endorse a candidate, in hopes of preventing a fight at the August presidential convention, party insiders say.

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Party bosses and smoke-filled rooms are the stuff of history books and political cartoonists, reaching back to the early 20th century. At the national level, they have been gone at least since the chaotic and self-defeating 1968 Democratic convention, which gave rise to current party rules handing preeminence to voters in primaries and caucuses.

But come June 4, Mrs. Pelosi's Capitol suite could become the closest thing Democrats have to the proverbial smoke-filled room as she presses her members to endorse. The 233 House Democrats comprise nearly 30% of the superdelegates, and several scores remain uncommitted. Mrs. Pelosi will remain neutral, aides say, since as Speaker she will preside over the Aug. 25-28 convention. But Clinton advisers say they're convinced she favors Sen. Obama.