The Nation's editor, Kristina van den Heuval, has a great editorial about the Democratic "super delegates." Even though she came in 3rd in Iowa, Sen. Clinton (D-NY0 has more delegates than either Obama or Edwards because of these unelected delegates--designed to protect DNC insiders like Hillary Rodham Clinton.
This is one part of many broken parts to our system that need reforming.
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9 comments:
Michael, do you know if these delegates can change their mind before the convention should they want to?
Yvette
In answer to Yvette -- I don't think any of this sewed up and I think that people will begin to change their allegiances as Hillary falters -- and falter I think she will.
Of course, I never thought she'd run in the first place -- so what do I know?
Yvette, I think LEGALLY any of the delegates can change their votes and that this has rarely happened even if someone doesn't drop out of the race--or drops out without pledging her delegates to someone else.
But if the Dem. race were to be a slugfest for delegates all the way to the Denver convention, Hillary could arrive at the Convention with more delegates even if she lost more states to Obama or Edwards. It is grossly unfair and undemocratic--and designed to protect the establishment candidate like Hillary. Those super delegates have all pledged to vote for her at the convention even if she is out of the race!
We REALLY need electoral reform!
If the Democratic Party chooses to use such tactics to insure that the pre-selected establishment candidate gets the nomination without the "popular vote" then they are no better than the Republicans who used such tactics to insure that their candidate won in '00 and '04. And, ironically, with Hillary as the nominee they may well find themselves in the same position again in '08.
Daniel, the Democratic Party is flawed. Let's remember that until it purged the segregationist wing in '64 and '65, (as it had the Dixiecrats in '48), Southern Dems had been involved in the wholescale disenfranchisement of African-Americans and outright defiance of the Constitution.
This "super delegate" rule was not created recently, but after 1972 when upstart Sen. George McGovern became the nominee and then lost to Nixon in a huge landslide that also cost Dems the control of the Senate. All political incumbents are about keeping their jobs!
However, there aren't enough super delegates to save Hillary, I think.
To me, this doesn't make the current Democratic Party "just as bad" the current Republican Party, but we need major electoral reform. Exposing the areas where we need reform within parties and between them is part of the work of progressives and engaged citizens. It always takes more than just voting.
By the way, Daniel. I hope you have your absentee Colorado ballot--because we need you to help elect Udall to the Senate, no matter who you vote for, for president.
Yes, I do plan to vote by absentee ballot AGAIN this year, which will be the seventh time out of the last eight elections!
I just found out that sometime during 2007, Colorado's presidential caucuses were moved up from May to Feb 5th. So first time in the twenty-odd years that I've been a registered voter, Coloradoans will actually have a say in who the presidential nominees are--that is, if it isn't already a done deal by Feb 5th.
Unfortunately for me, however, participation in caucuses means I would have to be physically present for my precinct meeting which is really not . . . er, um . . practical from my current location. I'm hoping, though, that my fellow Coloradoans will make a good choice in my absence :-).
Does anybody know who the super delegates in KY are that have pledged their vote for Hillary?
Who are the super delegates in KY? I understand they are political leaders but which ones?
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