Boston Globe columnist Joan Vennochi:

Governor Patrick and Senators Kerry and Kennedy met separately over the past week with Massachusetts women who support Hillary Clinton and want the state's superdelegates to find a way to count all the primary votes in Florida and Michigan.

But, the aftermath of these sitdowns with the Bay State's top Democrats brings to mind that Rolling Stones classic, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."

The men - all Barack Obama supporters in a state that went for Clinton on primary day - said they believe in fairness, but not, necessarily, in counting votes in other states where Clinton claims victory.

"We supported all three over the years because we believed each of them to be committed to the core basic democratic principle of having every vote count," said Lois Pines, a former state senator and longtime Democratic activist. ". . . Is it really possible they are going to let such an injustice stand and no one is going to make this right?"

Simple answers to simple questions:

Yes.

Late yesterday, a spokesman for Patrick said, "The governor wants a fair outcome that seats the Michigan and Florida delegates at the Democratic National Convention in August. He is not opposed to a revote. He pledged to convey the group's concerns to the Obama campaign and has done so."

A Kerry spokesman said the senator "had a good, long, honest and productive discussion and he's personally conveyed their concerns to the DNC and the Obama campaign. He reiterated how important it is to have a fair resolution that strengthens rather than divides our party."

Translation: Yes.

But it's hard to deny that a big piece of Obama's momentum can be traced back to Dean's decision to leave Michigan and Florida up in the air as long as possible. It's also a fact that neither Obama nor Clinton can accumulate the 2,025 delegates needed to nail the nomination; both need support from superdelegates.

Dean's vague promise to seat Florida and Michigan delegates at the convention doesn't placate these Massachusetts women. They want a revote in Michigan and the Florida votes of Jan. 29 counted now.

"A lot of women are not going to be quite so enthusiastic about the level and intensity and depth of their effort on behalf of Barack Obama, if indeed Florida is not counted in a timely manner. If that is being used to undermine the candidacy of Hillary Clinton, as generated by Howard Dean and his team, that is outrageous," said Pines.

Those are tough words from a lifelong Democrat, who backed Kennedy, camped out in Florida for Kerry, and worked the state convention floor for Patrick.

I wonder where else this message is being sent?

Lysistrata, people! Lysistrata!

UPDATE Howard Dean sinks deeper into the tank, I'm sorry and distressed to say:

An increasingly firm Howard Dean told CNN again Thursday that he needs superdelegates to say who they’re for – and “I need them to say who they’re for starting now.”

The national party chair, who has remained neutral throughout the primary process, said again it’s his job to make sure both candidates feel they are treated fairly – but not to tell either of them when to end their run.

Then get all the fucking votes counted, Howard. If you want a legitimate nominee, that's what you have to do.