We previously reported on Democratic presidential candidates siding with the DNC in the dispute over the primaries moving earlier than the rules permit. But if all the candidates refuse to campaign in those states, it practically gives them - and the nomination - to Hillary Clinton, argues Robert Novak :

Some of the news media bought into that, with The New York Times reporting: "The decision seemed to dash any hopes of Mrs. Clinton relying on a strong showing in Florida as a springboard to the nomination." Rather, her forbearance looks like a windfall for the Democratic front-runner.

Democratic consultant Bob Shrum, who does not have a candidate this time around, correctly interpreted the decision by Clinton and her two principal competitors, Barack Obama and John Edwards, to follow the Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules. On NBC's "Meet the Press" last Sunday, Shrum said: "That actually, in a perverse way" could "help Sen. Clinton. If no one campaigns and she wins . . . the primary in Florida, wins the primary in Michigan, that could have a knockout effect."

The Clinton camp is saying, "Please don't throw me into the brier patch." Being forced to stay out of Florida and Michigan empowers Clinton's vastly superior name identification in the two high population states and overrules potential defeats in lower population Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. This poses a dilemma for Sen. Obama, Clinton's main challenger, that key supporters admit he cannot resolve. Obama has also promised not to campaign in the excluded states, but he likely cannot win there without campaigning.

Read it all at the above link. It is certainly easier for the candidate with a high double-digit lead in a state to say, "Okay, no more campaigning there for anyone!" The pledge could signal the end of the race . . .

. . . providing, of course, that you believe anything Hillary or Obama say. If you do, email me immediately to share in the millions left by an African potentate. In fact, reports from Florida indicate both candidates are keeping up their full campaign schedules there. No events have been canceled or postponed. The article sourced at the link mentions the DNC ruling is full of "loopholes." In other words, it means nothing.

Sort of like Hillary or Obama's word.