Gan
02-29-2008, 08:59 AM
As we get closer to the end of the primary elections its becomming clearer and clearer that the role of the superdelegates in the DNC process will wield considerable influence in who moves on to battle for the white house.
According to wiki:
Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party) primaries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election) and caucuses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucus) in each U.S. state (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state). Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.
I'm interpreting that, if correct, as they free agents not bound by the region/district/location where they are from. And that they represent 1/5 of the overall delegate vote. If you ask me, this considerably dillutes the 'will of the people' and places an extreme amount of power among a select few. Is this a representation of the establishment having a safetynet should the people decide to choose a candidate not really favored by the establishment?
Now lets focus back on the race at hand between Clinton and Obama. Basically its going to boil down to the superdelegates to nominate the candidate. Because regardless of who wins Ohio or Texas, neither candidate is showing any signs of walking away from the table. So the pressure to 'sell' the superdelegates by each camp is at an extreme high. Earlier this month we saw claims of the Clinton camp 'pimping' out Chelsea to woo superdelegates. And now we're hearing claims of another 527? group (Obama's colorofchange.org) threatening other superdelegates who happen to be black because they live in an area that has already voted in support of Obama. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8762.html
According to the politico's article, it looks like this is going to be a broker'd convention for the DNC.
What does that mean exactly and what impact will it have on America if the superdelegates effect nominates Clinton over Obama?
Are we to expect riots and other violence if Obama is cheated out of the will of the people by the superdelegates? (If you can really call the superdelegates not being the will of the people.)
According to wiki:
Unlike most convention delegates, the superdelegates are not selected based on the party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party) primaries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_election) and caucuses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucus) in each U.S. state (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state). Instead, the superdelegates are seated automatically, based solely on their status as current or former elected officeholders and party officials. They are free to support any candidate for the nomination.
I'm interpreting that, if correct, as they free agents not bound by the region/district/location where they are from. And that they represent 1/5 of the overall delegate vote. If you ask me, this considerably dillutes the 'will of the people' and places an extreme amount of power among a select few. Is this a representation of the establishment having a safetynet should the people decide to choose a candidate not really favored by the establishment?
Now lets focus back on the race at hand between Clinton and Obama. Basically its going to boil down to the superdelegates to nominate the candidate. Because regardless of who wins Ohio or Texas, neither candidate is showing any signs of walking away from the table. So the pressure to 'sell' the superdelegates by each camp is at an extreme high. Earlier this month we saw claims of the Clinton camp 'pimping' out Chelsea to woo superdelegates. And now we're hearing claims of another 527? group (Obama's colorofchange.org) threatening other superdelegates who happen to be black because they live in an area that has already voted in support of Obama. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8762.html
According to the politico's article, it looks like this is going to be a broker'd convention for the DNC.
What does that mean exactly and what impact will it have on America if the superdelegates effect nominates Clinton over Obama?
Are we to expect riots and other violence if Obama is cheated out of the will of the people by the superdelegates? (If you can really call the superdelegates not being the will of the people.)