Lately, I have spoken to a number of reporters about the upcoming Democratic National Convention. In almost every interview, sooner or later, the reporter asks me, "You don't honestly believe that [Howard Dean] [the DNC] will allow Senator Clinton's name to be put in nomination?" The is generally followed with second question: "You don't honestly believe that Senator Clinton will be the nominee?" None of the reporters who have asked these questions has misquoted my replies. But none has captured the tone of my answers correctly, which is actually surprising because for the most part the journalists with whom I have spoken correctly get both the content and the flavor of all my answers to their other questions. Why the disconnect with regard to what I honestly believe about the DNC and the ultimate nominee? Perhaps I have not made myself clear enough in my replies. So, for the record, here are the questions and the answers. Q: "You don't honestly believe that [Howard Dean] [the DNC] will allow Senator Clinton's name to be put in nomination?" A: If the DNC genuinely wants a Democrat to win the White House this November and the DNC leaders are at all in touch with the political climate, the DNC leadership will recognize that the only way that can happen now is if the Democratic Party holds a convention that includes Senator Clinton being placed in nomination and if a genuine and meaningful vote is held, a vote that gives superdelegates the option of choosing between the two candidates leading candidates at the close of the primaries and caucuses. The question at this point should not be whether the DNC leaders will allow Senator Clinton's name to be placed in nomination. The question should be whether Senator Clinton will consent to that. Q: "You don't honestly believe that Senator Clinton will be the nominee?" A: If Senator Clinton's name is in fact placed in nomination and she accepts the opportunity to be considered by the superdelegates, Senator Clinton could easily end up being the nominee. I cannot read the minds of the superdelegates. Many have changed their public position about which candidate they prefer throughout the primary season - a completely legitimate thing to do, just as it is completely legitimate for any voter on any issue to vary his or her opinion right up until she or he actually votes. I have my doubts about whether the DNC leadership is in fact sufficiently in touch with the political climate among rank and file Democrats to realize what seems eminently clear to me - the need to legitimize the choice of a nominee by having an authentically democratic convention if a Democrat is to win the White House this fall. And I have no idea whether at this point or in three weeks, Senator Clinton would be willing to have her name placed in nomination. But, yes, I absolutely believe that a reasonably aware and intelligent DNC leadership will allow Senator Clinton's name to be placed in nomination. I also believe that if the superdelegates end up with a live choice between candidates, either candidate could become the Party's nominee.