The rules! The rules!

[MonkeyFunk]

People are flipping their wigs over an attempt to seat Florida and Michigan delegates - it's the rules! The rules!!

Well, the rules allow superdelegates to vote for whomever they choose - the system is DESIGNED that way. So if they were to make a difference at the convention, it's all within the rules, and none of the rule-humpers should complain.

[pbca]

1. They won't matter

I think by the time the convention rolls around Obama will have it locked up, super delegates or no

[Sulawesi]

2. So if Clinton wins pledged delegates and Obama rallies the supers, you're fine?

[MonkeyFunk]

6. I wouldn't freak out

I like Obama just fine - I just prefer Clinton.

[sfam]

3. Why don't Florida and Michigan just schedule a "real" primary?

This would solve the problem, right? Have them schedule something at the end of March or something.

Bottom line, the contests earlier were nothing more than Straw polls as far as the DNC is concerned. If the states want something real, they can!

Incidentally, this would be THEIR decision - not Hillary's.

[Uncle Sinister]

4. Excellent idea! This deserves thought.

[pampango]

5. The SDs can legally do what you describe, if all you care about is doing what you can get away with.

They could also just vote to hand the nomination to the person with the second-most elected delegates and seat Florida and Michigan after that.

Don't know that such maneuvers would benefit the party or our electoral chances when the other candidate's supporters felt betrayed. If "doing whatever you have to do to win" is your motto and winning is about winning for yourself not for your party, then the tactic you describe would be legal and effective.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. similarly

there's nothing wrong with trying to seat the delegates.

[pampango]

8. Nothing wrong "legally" no. The SDs do have that power.

The ethics of doing it and the potential political damage to the party are different questions.