In Letter, Top Clinton Donors Chastise Pelosi For Statements About Super-Delegates

[babylonsister]

In Letter, Top Clinton Donors Chastise Pelosi For Statements About Super-Delegates
By Greg Sargent - March 26, 2008, 2:34PM

Twenty top Hillary fundraisers and donors have sent a scathing private letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, chastising her sharply for publicly saying that the super-delegates should support the winner of the pledged delegate count.

I've obtained a copy of the letter, which comes from some of the most influential fundraisers in the Democratic Party, including Hassan Nemazee, Steven Rattner, Maureen White, Stan Shuman, and Alan Patricof.

Here's a key excerpt:

Several states and millions of Democratic voters have not yet had a chance to cast their votes.

We respect those voters and believe that they, like the voters in the states that have already participated, have a right to be heard. None of us should make declarative statements that diminish the importance of their voices and their votes. We are writing to say we believe your remarks on ABC News This Week on March 16th did just that.

During your appearance, you suggested super-delegates have an obligation to support the candidate who leads in the pledged delegate count as of June 3rd , whether that lead be by 500 delegates or 2. This is an untenable position that runs counter to the party’s intent in establishing super-delegates in 1984 as well as your own comments recorded in The Hill ten days earlier...

The letter also contains an explicit reference to the fact that these donors have contributed heavily to Democratic causes, and demands that Pelosi clarify her views on the role of the super-dels:

We have been strong supporters of the DCCC. We therefore urge you to clarify your position on super-delegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional independent actions of each of the delegates at the National Convention in August. We appreciate your activities in support of the Democratic Party and your leadership role in the Party and hope you will be responsive to some of your major enthusiastic supporters.

The letter represents a significant ratcheting up of pressure from Hillary's big money people on a Democratic leader in a position to influence how the super-delegates make up their minds at the end of the primary.

Full letter at link...

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/in_letter_a_dozen_top_clinton.php

[TwilightGardener]

1. Nancy is at the top of the Democratic food chain. I don't think they

can intimidate her.

[LSparkle]

5. Hill's just jealous that now Nancy will remain highest ranking female in D.C.

:evilgrin:

[rateyes]

2. They have plenty of money to buy the finest cheese to go with their whine. nt

[DJ13]

3. Hey look!

I think we've discovered some of the names from Clinton's library donor list!

:kick:

[my3boyz]

4. Get them Nancy! LOL

[phiddle]

6. So, Nancy: Who owns this party?

A million donors at $100 each, or 20 donors at $1 million each?
(This letter sounds like extortion to me.)

[babylonsister]

8. Great observation. I'm looking forward to Pelosi's response. nt

[CoffeeCat]

7. Wow,

Clinton managed to get a handful of her elitist power-backers to write a letter to
Pelosi---slapping Pelosi's wrist for suggesting that the Super Delegates should follow
the will of the people?

Then the letter goes on to suggest that millions of people haven't voted and Pelosi
should respect that, but the entire jist of the letter it to get in her face about
saying that the people will decide this race, and that it's highly unlikely that
the Super Delegates will vote contrary to "We The People."

Do I have that right?

Crazymaking from the Hamptons set.

[phiddle]

11. Yes, you have it right, 2 contradictory notions

1. That nothing should diminish the impact of those who have not yet voted, but nonetheless,
2. The superdelegates should not vote according to the popular vote.

[C_U_L8R]

9. Good money after bad.

What disingenuous nonsense from people who should know better.

[mod mom]

10. It's time for the Dem Party to stand up to these big buck elitists and realize the power of working

for the people. Who has raised more money this campaign Obama or Clinton?

[phiddle]

12. Please K&R---this attempt to hijack the party should be known (IMHO)

[babylonsister]

13. Threats

http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/threats_2.php

Threats
Matthew Yglesias
26 Mar 2008 06:38 pm

I have to say that I doubt threatening Nancy Pelosi to take their toys and go home if she doesn't urge superdelegates to do what they want is really the smartest way for Hillary Clinton supporters to try to win this election. It sort of re-enforces the case that the Clintons and their close allies are selfish people willing and ready to destroy the party in order to maintain control over it.