Sanders supporters' courtship of Clinton superdelegates may be backfiring

[CajunBlazer]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-superdelegates-idUSMTZSAPEC2TAP0RGD

Backers of Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders have launched a campaign to win over some of his rival Hillary Clinton's most prized supporters - the superdelegates that can make the difference in a tight race for the party's nomination.

But some emails, phone messages, and petitions sent by the Sanders boosters have backfired, upsetting superdelegates with their aggressive tone and leading many to dig in their heels for Clinton, according to interviews conducted by Reuters.

(snip)

However, the unofficial push could complicate the U.S. Senator from Vermont's efforts to woo the critical bloc in the coming months.

The effort has at times taken an angry tone, some of the messages reviewed by Reuters showed, reflecting the anti-establishment tinge of the 2016 presidential race where many voters are unhappy with Washington insiders.

Evidently the aggressive tone used by many of those contacting Super delegates supporting Hillary have upset those delegates and are causing them to dig in their heels, strengthening their determination to support Clinton.

[dchill]

1. "They're 'upset.'" New meme!

Supersensitive superdelegates!

[CajunBlazer]

3. I think the lesson learned is - "Don't tick them off"

[Gwhittey]

7. Gee another Clinton

[dchill]

16. No, that's the false impression...

YOU and they want as the takeaway from this piece of crap "journalism."

[Autumn]

2. Poor little dears.

I hope their precious little fee fees get better.

[CajunBlazer]

4. When you are asking people to do something they don't have to do...

...it's usually best to be nice and it never pays to be demanding and abrasive - Human Relation 101.

[Autumn]

5. Yep. You all ought to remember that and do remind your elected democrats of that too.

[CajunBlazer]

6. So they are not "your" elected democrats?

Interesting....

[Autumn]

8. Oh I voted for them. When I was a democrat, that changed back in Jan.

Wait a minute... What happened to Human Relation 101. Only counts for other people?

[Cha]

9. Of course it is.

[Baobab]

10. If the popular votes goes one way and they go another way its not okay.

Three trade deals in the pipeline, and their literally hundreds of thousands of dollars per person in extra costs.

Not many people realize how much $$$$ is at stake for each of us.

I'm sure the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries realize but other people not so much.

[CajunBlazer]

28. Not to worry, it won't because Bernie won't cach up

But if it does, we'll be sure to tell them you said "it's not okay".

[Beacool]

11. Of course it was bound to backfire.

The gall of suggesting that they should switch to Sanders, even if Hillary is ahead in the pledged delegate count, is heavy handed and undemocratic.

[JudyM]

13. (Cough) Um. Say again, *what* is undemocratic? Take a closer look at their intended role.

[Beacool]

14. You can cough all you want, but Hillary will be the nominee if she maintains her lead

in pledged delegates. First of all, Sanders wasn't even a Democrat until he decided to run for president. These super delegates feel no allegiance to him. Second, they will not switch to the person who ends with less pledged delegates. They will not subvert democracy. That's why they switched to Obama in 2008, he was ahead in pledged delegates. Hillary currently has double the pledged delegate lead that Obama had in 2008.

I find it the height of hypocrisy for the man who claims to represent the people to ignore the will of those same people.

[JudyM]

15. Super delegates throwing their votes behind Hillary when Bernie took their state = undemocratic.

Their raison d'etre is to prevent popular grass roots candidates from winning.

[JesterCS]

18. +1000000 n/t

[CajunBlazer]

29. That's exactly why the super delegates were introduced

Last edited Tue Mar 29, 2016, 10:04 PM - Edit history (1)

To keep grassroots candidates who do not properly represent the party and/or who would have trouble getting elected from absconding with the nomination. With the super delegates there would be some concern with respect to the latter reason and a great deal of concern with the former given that a canidate decided suddenly after 35 years in public life to run as a Democrat to "to get media attention".

Remember that the Democratic Party nomination is not a public office - the party can set up any rules it wishes to be used to choose its nominee. It could still be making its choice in smoke filled rooms if it wishes. Bernie knew the rules going in.

I find it interesting that Sanders supporters at first very critical of the super delegates calling them "unconstitutional", but then you seemed to have no trouble supporting the notion of flipping the super delegates even if Hillary wins the most Pledged delegates. You guys seem to get upset with rules only
when they don't favor your canidate.

[hellofromreddit]

30. God forbid constituents practice democracy by petitioning party leaders

And during a primary of all times.

[artislife]

12. My WA reps just got another email from me

I stressed how I voted in all elections, big and small and said I wouldn't automatically vote for them again.

We had a 3 to 1 ratio. They joined back when it seemed like no one else would challenge her. Well, Bernie has and he won our state handily. Our governor race was closer than they liked.

[CajunBlazer]

34. But were you nice or were you demanding?

Last edited Tue Mar 29, 2016, 10:10 PM - Edit history (1)

If you were demanding, you may be part of the problem.

[artislife]

40. You are the problem

You think you work for them. They work for us.

And I was polite, reminding them that I have been a Dem voter since 91 in every election. But I could be rude if I had wanted to be...because as your side likes to say....politics is a tough business. Not for the faint of heart.

[CajunBlazer]

41. Oh see, when Sanders supporters are rude to the super delegates...

....who they are trying to convince to flip over to Bernie side, I'm the problem.

Wow, now that logic is compelling.

[artislife]

42. Trying read comprehension.. it will help you.

[CajunBlazer]

43. I read everything you wrote, and therefore I am well aware....

... that you were trying to change the subject and that what I was pointing out . Evidently recognizing subtlety is not one of your strong suites.

Maybe I should have been more to the point - something like "Hey, stick to the topic, we were discussing Sanders people ticking off super delegates, and quit trying to make this about me. We weren't discussing me."

You can probably understand that. Maybe...

[artislife]

44. hahahahahahaha

[Trenzalore]

17. After this election Super Delegates need to go

It is also foolish for Bernie to unleash his mob on them instead of attempting a softer approach.

[Cali_Democrat]

19. If Bernie thinks he can bully the super delegates.....

....he's got another thing coming.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Gosh. We certainly wouldn't want to upset politicians.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. They're very delicate creatures who are unused to listening to their employers.

[CajunBlazer]

32. And yet they hold Bernie's future in their hands..

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. Only if anyone bases their votes on the endorsements of politicians.

OTOH, there are many of us who capable of making up our own minds.

[CajunBlazer]

36. No, superdelegates could literally give Bernie the nomination

The race is close enough for that - but they won't. They literally hold Bernie's future in their collective hands.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

37. Which says a lot about our current political system that favors the rich and powerful.

[CajunBlazer]

39. Yep, and there will be no revolution

[JSup]

22. Not that I disagree, but...

...this article is a month old.

I'm all for Hillary but I've never been a fan of posting 'old' (but currently relevant) articles as news.

[Jitter65]

24. If they in anyway sound like Sarandon, I can see why. Plus the way the Sander's supporters

speak about the voters in the south really pisses a lot of life-long Democrats off.

[Hawaiianlight]

25. How dare the peasants show their displeasure!

They don't call them "super" delegates for nothing. Let them be silent and eat cake!

[CajunBlazer]

33. Works for me

[UMTerp01]

26. Not surprised given how rabid many of them tend to be

n/t

[Gothmog]

27. I am not surprised at the lack of success and the negative feedback from these efforts

Attacking super delegates is not a smart strategy. This strategy did not work on Sen. Warren and will not work on other super delegates

[JoePhilly]

31. + 1

[Number23]

38. Exactly. And I think that the screaming over superdelegates from people who are right as rain

with Republicans and independents voting in Dem primaries is hypocrisy and cynicism at its finest.

When you factor in that these caucuses that Sanders has been winning don't even represent 10% of the population of the states, it makes it even more ridiculous.

[snowy owl]

45. Oh I'm sure! Same people who lobbied for Obama. Give it a rest.