Super Delegates

[question everything]

I think that all of us do not like the idea of Super Delegates who, in theory, could change the final outcome after the final votes are tallied.

But it is not just the super delegates. Are all the votes binding? I don't know.

And then, do the delegates follow the popular votes? We already know that in Nevada, at least, the number of delegates did not follow the popular votes.

So if Donna Brazile says "If 795 of my colleagues decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this," what does she mean?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4261986&page=1

Does she mean that one candidate may have ended up with, say 600 more delegates, but that all 795 delegates may vote for the other, thus changing who is the nominee? (Personally, I don't think that this will happen).

Matt Lauer, of all people, had an interesting question this morning:

Should Kerry and Kennedy follow the outcome of MA that Clinton won, or should they vote for Obama for whom they are campaigning?

His guest did not have an answer.

[bryant69]

1. What is the rationale for Super Delegates?

I had heard it had something to do with the legacy of southern democrats? But don't know or recall what the point is?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[TahitiNut]

2. It's my understanding that the GOP doesn't have superdelegates. True?

It's also my understanding that the GOP, in their caucuses and primaries, have more proportional delegation. True?

As an independent liberal, I find these observations a bit disturbing. I've looked for some verification and comparisons online but am unable to find anything both succinct and reputable.

[SteppingRazor]

5. Kind of false, and definitely false.

The GOP doesn't have "superdelegates," but they do have "unpledged delegates," which amount to more or less he same thing, but with slightly less power.

As for the GOP having a more-proportional delegate system, that's just silly, given that they are the only one of the the two parties that still has any winner-take-all primaries.

[shaniqua6392]

3. I would think that Kerry and Kennedy with vote for Clinton.

If they voted for Obama they would be hypocrites. The SD's should vote the way their state voted. In any case, it is a stupid system. We should have a national primary day. Everyone votes the same day and there can be no caucuses. Caucuses are unfair and they disenfranchise voters. Do it ALL in one day and get it the hell over with. Then have the convention sooner. Decide the nominee sooner so that person can begin to campaign against the opponent right away.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. Clinton won in MA, 56% to 41%

So to be as fair as possible, Kerry and Kennedy should cut themselves into little bits, and have only 56% of the little bits vote for Clinton. Barring that, one should vote for Clinton, and one for Obama.

My point is that there's no rule requiring superdelegates to vote a certain way. If they're required to vote a certain way, there's no point in having them. If there's no point in having them, why not just get rid of them?

(Hmm, maybe we should just get rid of them. :think:)

[question everything]

8. Yours is the winning approach

(still laughing)

[Yossariant]

10. "We" don't decide. Campaign contributions are not tax deductiible. The DNC is not the USA.

:think:

[Tarc]

4. I and others have asked that very "Kerry and Kennedy" question several times

Like Lauer's guest, Team Obama goes silent as well.

[Bill McBlueState]

7. Kerry, Kennedy, and the other MA superdelegates should vote for their candidate

Kerry, Kennedy, and the other MA superdelegates should vote for their candidate. That's the point of superdelegates; they aren't bound by a popular vote.

If we think that's unfair (and I do), we should get rid of superdelegates, not force them to vote a certain way.

[amaraya]

9. Are SuperDelegates Votes Public?

I was just wondering if the votes of the superdelegates are public info - will we know who votes for whom? This is just ridiculous to me.

[Yossariant]

11. I think they vote with their state delegations, but most of them are not elected officials.

Only about 300 out of the 800 are elected officials.

The rest are DNC members we haven't heard much about.