February 11, 2008
Super-Delegate Democracy? (Ron Christie)
I’d like to believe my colleague Dick Morris and his assessment about the state of the race for the Democratic candidate for president. Namely, I’d like to believe that Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) will prevail in his contest over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.).
Obama has racked up an impressive number of victories in the past several weeks and he is likely to sweep the “Potomac Primary” being held in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland tomorrow. Obama has shown strength in the Northeast, Midwest and the West Coast. In short, Obama has amassed a remarkable number of supporters, black and white, rich and poor, who are willing to pull the lever for him from coast to coast. Sen. Clinton, as has been widely discussed, has shown resilience on either coast (read: New York, California and Northeastern states).
Yet, even with a sweep tomorrow, Sen. Obama will still remain in a neck-and-neck contest with Sen. Clinton for the foreseeable future. We could well have a scenario where the candidate will remain unknown heading into the Democratic Campaign Convention held later this year in Denver. And will the people whose voices we have heard from asking for a change propel him into victory? I fear the so-called “super-delegates” will instead push this contest over the finish line in favor of Sen. Clinton.
Nearly one-fifth of the total of delegates at stake for the Democrats this year are super-delegates — delegates who are able to cast their votes based on their status as office holders (current or former) or party officials. More than 800 of these delegates are at stake and include the likes of former President Bill Clinton, Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe and former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.). I have a hard time believing that millions of Americans who have cast their votes for their party’s nominee want a D.C. smoke-filled back room set of deals and promises to determine who will be their party’s standard-bearer in November. Yet that appears to be exactly where we’re headed.
Perhaps I’m a cynic, but I sense the Obama campaign will be steamrolled in favor of the Clinton political machine, which will vacuum up super-delegates faster than a Hoover. I hope Dick Morris is right and I’m wrong: If the Clintons are able to secure the nomination via back-room deals rather than the direct vote of the American people, I think Sen. Obama is in a world of trouble. What a shame that would be.
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It the Clintons push the envelope and pull off a fast one, things could get interesting. Let's hope it's the end of the Democratic Party and their constant negativity about America.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — February 11, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
If the Clintons are able to secure the nomination via back-room deals rather than the direct vote of the American people, I think that the Democratic Party would be in a world of trouble. I would know with certainty, that my vote — the voice of the people, matters not. And if the situation were reversed in favor of Mr. Obama, the outcome would be the same. Super delegates, be warned: Be careful, or there will be hell to pay. And what a shame that would be.
Comment by Alohilani — February 12, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Oooooo be warned or you will unleash the gates of hell on them.Do you really think they care?They are political insiders who make a living being political insiders.they are paid consultants and in some cases they are the same people who are throwing out talking points on cable new right now getting and getting paid pretty well to do so.This is no longer the people's race it is the media's race.
Comment by Linda M — February 12, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Obama has racked up an impressive number of victories in the past several weeks with his "CHANGE" campaign. What is all this CHANGE we keep hearing about? The only change will be to "Obama's" bank account. Hillary has over 30 years of political experience. The only thing Obama has done as a paid Senator is “run for President”.
American citizens need to pay attention to the facts—NOT to what the media is feeding them.
Comment by Jay — February 13, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
au contraire # 4. you have it turned around. Check out the senatorial records at the Library of Congress website if you are interested at all in the facts. Now repeat after me: BILL Clinton has political experience Hillary was his wife. The only large operation she has run is her campaign; need I say more? Also an opinion is everyone's right but an Informed opinion is much much better.
Comment by james d granata — March 4, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Popular vote vs. delegates …
Obama and his supporters keep saying that the democratic nominee should be the one who gets the most popular votes … not super delegates. But, in addition to Obama accepting Richardson’s delegate vote, even though Hillary won the popular vote in New Mexico … it’s apparent that if Obama’s 20 year association with racist Wright (and indirect association with Farrakan) had been known a year ago by the public … Obama would not have gained a lead in the popular vote … in fact, he probably wouldn’t even still be in the race at all!
Comment by Howard — March 23, 2008 @ 11:56 am
I want John Mcain to be president Nov 4th. I want the Muslim government in Suadia Arabia to stop beheading women accused of wichcraft. I want more crio caskets on the market that are a freezing tempature of -10 farenhight. I want lottery winners to give $5000 a week to Messianic Jews in Isreal. I want the secret government to release all the angels spirits they have in magnetic cages made with evil alien technology.
Comment by Scott H Florance — April 24, 2008 @ 6:35 pm