Far from the bright lights of the television cameras, under which the committee last met in early June, the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee concluded its official business this afternoon via conference call, finalizing the long, hard slog toward the Democratic convention in Denver.

The committee unanimously adopted the official report to the convention credentials committee in one of the fastest Rules and Bylaws meetings in recent memory -- committee member Donna Brazile joined the call as the meeting ended, wondering aloud,"Is the call over?" Twenty three states have already submitted complete and acceptable delegate slates, while nine states have yet to submit slates in compliance with Democratic rules on gender balance among delegates, alternates and standing committee members. The remaining states and territories have not completed their delegate selection process.

States that have yet to achieve gender equality among their delegations include Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Virginia. Ensuring equality across gender lines is the one authority reserved for the Rules and Bylaws Committee, and DNC Executive Director Phil McNamara said there had not been a waiver granted since the rule was adopted in 1984.

The panel referred just two delegate challenge to the convention credentials committee, which will take over most of the RBC's roles once it is convened in Denver. The legitimacy of an Obama delegate from Texas and a Clinton delegate from Wisconsin will be the only controversial matter decided by the credentials committee.

The Wisconsin matter, which involves First District Clinton backer Debra Bartoshevich, will be the most newsworthy, as Wisconsin party officials seek to disqualify the emergency room nurse. Bartoshevich, who is from Waterford, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that she would support Republican presidential nominee John McCain in the Fall, instead of Barack Obama. A Wisoconsin Democratic Party spokeswoman said the party was challenging Bartoshevich's status as a delegate to Denver.