I don't understand the delegates

[question everything]

If kerry so far won the most votes in both Iowa and New Hampshire, how come Dean has so many more delegates?

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-AP-Delegate-Count.html

Dean 114
Kerry 96

:kick:

[eyesroll]

1. Superdelegates.

Individuals (elected officials and other bigwigs) are given their own votes at the convention. This reflects those superdelegates who have pledged their support to Dean. Many of Dean's early endorsers are superdelegates.

They can switch before the convention, though.

[redqueen]

2. Can anyone explain how this is democratic at all?

How is giving certain people more of a say democratic?

I don't get it.

[beyurslf]

3. I don't know.

Maybe someone in Iowa or New Hampshire can explain it.

[eyesroll]

5. That total isn't just NH and IA -- superdelegates can come from anywhere,

and count at any time.

In the long run, they probably won't make a difference either way in the nomination -- there are way more state delegates than superdelegates.

[Robbien]

4. The 'soft ' delegates are the ones won in the primary

Kerry won 19 in Iowa and 13 in NH for a total of 32
Dean won 8 in Iowa and 9 in NH for a total of 17

Edwards won 18 in Iowa for a total of 18