April 23, 2008
Question for Democrats: Why have superdelegates?

Here is a question to all the Democrat voters out there:

Why have Superdelegates?

It appears to me that the entire Primary process is riding on these superdelegate votes seeing as neither Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton looks to be able to secure the nomination with just the remaining Primary contests. Sure Sen. Obama is in the lead, but I am sure that Sen. Clinton is still working behind the scenes to ensure the Florida and Michigan Delgates are seated to help her cause.

The whole notion of a "Superdelegate" seems to me, and this is my opinion, to have a bit of an elitist feel to it. After all they are appointed by the party and have free reign to vote however they choose.

It almost appears that the party that claims they represent the people are afraid to give the power to the people to decide whom their candidate should be. Does this not take away the power of the people's vote in the primary contest? If so, then why even have superdelegates?

Posted by TrueSoldier at April 23, 2008 06:47 AM | Email This
Comments
1. QUESTION FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY: WHY HAVE SUPERDELEGATES?

In 1989, when George the First didn't win most Washington State Delegates to the National Conventioin, the Party invented "Automatic Delegate" status for PCOs that hadn't taken the time to meet the Republicans in their Precinct, but wanted to be delegates to the County Convention.
Since then, they've invented "Automatic Delegate" status for County Chairs and State Committeeman and Committeewoman so they don't have to face popular election in their Counties and "Automatic Delegate" status for State Chairs and National Committeemen and National Committewomen for the same reasons in their States.
Whether by design or not, this has facilitated the ability of those officers to abuse the Convention/Caucus process without fear of losing their Delegate positions to the next level.
And that is exactly what is happening.

Posted by: Doug Parris on April 24, 2008 11:19 AM
2. truesoldier, I have been hearing they did in as a result of the riots after the '68 convention.

Now, it is being used by Clinton as a fail-safe considering the free fall Obama is experiencing.

Posted by: swatter on April 24, 2008 03:21 PM
3. the answer is the 68 election almost delivered the 'wrong' candidate.

but the question should be directed at both parties, not just the Ds.

Posted by: Lysander on April 25, 2008 05:19 PM
4. the answer is the 68 election almost delivered the 'wrong' candidate.

but the question should be directed at both parties, not just the Ds.

Posted by: Lysander on April 26, 2008 07:10 AM
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