What I said today about "Superdelegates;" do you agree?

[Redstone]

I was talking politics during lunch today, and found myself explaining the "Superdelegate" situation to someone who didn't know about it.

I found myself predicting that if the "Superdelegates" grant the nomination to a candidate who did NOT get the most actual (aka popular) votes, the Democratic Party would find itself instantly transformed from a party with the most "momentum" seen in many years, to a party that wouldn't be able to buy a vote for the next twenty years.

The Democratic Party, right, now, is the party that many, many Americans see as our great hope, and as the party of change and responsiveness to the People's needs and desires (notwithstanding anyone's preference for a specific candidate).

I believe they will lose all credibility, in the eyes of all their supporters, if "party hacks" decide to suborn the will of the voters during the convention...which, as of now, looms as a real possibility.

Do you agree? Do you disagree? I'm genuinely looking forward to hearing people's opinions on this subject.

But I'm NOT interested in reading anyone's juvenile, name-calling attacks on a specific candidate, nor on his or her supporters. Can we have one thread in GDP that contains opinions about the issue raised by the original post? Please?

Redstone

[Eric J in MN]

1. I don't agree. Most citizens don't know much about superdelegates, and...

...don't care.

If the superdelegate system leads to Democratic defeat in November, then it will almost definitely be changed by 2012.

[skipos]

2. If the superdelegates thwart the will of the popular vote

the Party will be screwed in 08 and beyond.

[Bucky]

3. It would be a disaster for four years, not 20.

No doubt there'd be furor, but I imagine the DNC would wipe out the system ASAP.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. I agree.

That's why I don't think it will happen.

I do think there are people out there who want to tear the party apart from the inside. But I don't think it's the majority. The nice thing about cynicism is that it says politicians will do what they can to stay in power over principle, and that would fortunately mean voting along with the popular vote.

[Uben]

5. They were part of the process going in

All candidates knew this and none argued their validity at that time. Changing the rules mid-game would be just as destructive to the party. They will do the right thing, no matter who they choose. They were empowered to do a job, and now they must do it.
There will be sour grapes either way, but playing by the established rules is the correct and only way to proceed.

[Bicoastal]

15. The candidates agreed to these arcane rules...but what about WE the VOTERS?

I know *I* didn't agree to this superdelegate nonsense overpowering my vote at the polls. Neither did you. And when its all said and done, WE'RE the kingmakers, not the Party.

If the popular vote and the popular delegate vote and public opinion in general gets thwarted by the establishment of our own party...our sour grapes will manifest itself in a HUGE disappointment at the polls, for President and Congresscritters like. Everybody knows this.

I agree with Redstone.

[rug]

6. No. The 1968 Convention was far worse and there was a Democrat in the White House in 8 years.

[no name no slogan]

7. I wonder if the SDs will have to wear Superman outfits at the convention?

Even though there's a chance they could, I don't think the superdelegates would swing the nomination one way or the other.

The superdelegates are interested in only two things: 1) winning in November, and 2) keeping the party together long enough to win in November. Although they seem contradictory, the party VIPs wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this election (not on purpose, at least).

[nevergiveup]

8. I agree with you 100%

and it wouldn't make any difference which candidates were involved. It would result in a blood-bath that would destroy our chances in November. I don't, however, believe it will come to this.

[crispini]

9. I do not think that will happen.

Superdelegates are people like anyone else. They can be lobbied. They are not interested in doing anything that they think will hurt the party.

To be perfectly honest, I think that calling them "party hacks" is offensive. Superdelegates are elected officials and long time party members and activists, and worthy of some respect.

You know, it takes a lot of work to keep the party going. Precinct chairs, county chairs, executive committee members, and heads of organizations such as the Young Democrats are all people who go to meetings, contribute money, block walk, and organize all kinds of things. Voters are great, but as someone who knows many many people who go out and make serious time and financial commitments to the party, I think that the concept of the superdelegate is OK.

As Howard Dean once said, if all you're doing is getting out there and voting, you get a "D." You need to contribute, volunteer, and run for office yourself.

[Iktomiwicasa]

10. I agree with your OP

100%

[JVS]

11. Are you talking about legitimate contests or the illegitimate ones?

[sandnsea]

12. There will be riots

No Justice, No Peace.

[AZ Criminal JD]

14. When someone says there are going to be riots there never are

Just a idle threat by those who don't have a logical argument.

[sandnsea]

17. I'm not threatening

I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon, couldn't put up much of a riot here. I'm just calling it as I see it. If they try to steal this election from Obama, especially after 2000 and 2004, there will be riots.

[Whisp]

13. the supers have their own bread and butter to look out for.

and it usually is all about their usually little selfish world.

I can't see this happening for that reason, especially with Obama waking up a lot of people and telling them They are the power.

but then again, the game has been so lopsided and unfair, the things done in these last few years, so abhorent. and we just lay back and take it.

will be more interesting times ahead.

[H2O Man]

16. I agree

that it is such an important topic, that I nominated this. Hard to believe that I am first.

It's interesting, as it is the topic that I plan to post an essay on later this week.

I agree.