Man to resolve delegate dispute admired

BOSTON, March 24 (UPI) -- The man who will help resolve a Democratic Party dilemma over seating of delegates from Florida and Michigan reportedly is well-regarded among party stalwarts.

James Roosevelt Jr., the longtime co-chairman of the national party's rules and bylaws committee, will help settle what has become part of the fight between Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., for the Democratic presidential nomination, The Boston Globe reported Monday.

"Any kind of attribute that you think would be appropriate for someone in that job, he has it," said Don Fowler of South Carolina, who, upon being named chairman of the national party in 1995, promoted Roosevelt to succeed him as co-chairman of the rules committee.

Fowler told the newspaper Roosevelt and Alexis Herman, the rules committee's co-chairwoman, are both very capable to address "a monumental problem that almost seems insoluble."

Philip Johnston, former chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, where Roosevelt for 30 years has volunteered as general counsel and convention parliamentarian, said Roosevelt is "perfect" to resolve the conflict.

"His word will be trusted by all sides," he was quoted as saying.