But it's increasingly likely that the Democratic nomination will be decided by the party leaders who make up the 796 super delegates either at the convention or before.

To pressure super delegates to decide before the August convention, party heavyweights are going to have to twist some arms, including that of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, former President Jimmy Carter and former Vice President Al Gore.

Re-elections for Florida, Michigan?

Another possible way out is to hold re-elections in Florida and Michigan, on the assumption that the over 300 delegates at stake for the two states will make a difference for the nomination race.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has refused to recognize the results of primaries in Florida and Michigan because the states voted earlier than authorized by the committee.

Neither Clinton nor Obama campaigned in the states, and Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan.

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., backed the possibility of a mail-in caucus.

"I think only a mail kind of a vote will work," Levin said, "It's better than a 50-50 split, which really overrides public voting."

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican, also advocated that the delegates already selected should be seated.

However, the DNC must change its rules to allow such a re-election.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2008)