Possibility of brokered convention looms

DENVER, March 9 (UPI) -- The specter of a contested Democratic presidential nominating convention is raising concerns among some party insiders, a published report said Sunday.

The Denver Post reported that if neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama has the necessary 2,025 delegates to clinch the nomination, a fight is almost inevitable at the convention in Denver this summer.

Former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart, who backs Obama, said he is almost certain the battle won't end until the convention. Hart said there are just a few ways to avoid a nominating battle.

"One is a massive swing of voters one way or the other, which I think is improbable. Second, a massive swing of superdelegates, which I think is equally improbable. Or a resolution of Michigan and Florida, which is improbable," Hart said. "So if you throw out those possibilities, you see that it is coming to the floor."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has said he wants to see the nominee decided before the convention. However, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell -- a former DNC chairman and a Clinton supporter -- said he thinks a tight race is good for Democrats.

"This idea that our candidates are going to blow each other up, sure there will be some of that, but it will be mild compared to what the Republicans are going to do," said Rendell.