Bill Richardson: Superdelegates Should Reflect the Will of the People

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

“I just think there are too many superdelegates and I don’t think party bosses and elected officials should have the say they’re given today,” said Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a failed candidate for the Democratic nomination this year and a uncommitted superdelegate. He said he gets calls every day seeking an endorsement from Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton or their representatives.

Mr. Richardson said he did not know how or when he would make up his mind, though he said he believed the votes of the superdelegates should reflect the will of the people. Somehow.

“Right now, I have the luxury of growing a beard, dealing with the Legislature and riding my horse,” the governor said. “I don’t have to cater to those who want me to endorse now.”

http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=618

[NJSecularist]

1. Ouch.

Bill Richardson, one of Hillary's good friends, tells Hillary that she cannot steal the nomination away from the people like she has tried to do.

[Freida5]

2. I guess he was tired of the emails from the MOVE ON group

[LisaL]

3. Well, if the super delegates role is to reflect the will of the people,

why have them at all?
It really doesn't make sense.

[maximusveritas]

We shouldn't have them, but it's too late to change that for this race

So Bill's suggestion seems like the best way for them to avoid changing the outcome of the race and destroying the party.

[Bicoastal]

5. A commentator said the other night that...

...superdelegates were set up as a safeguard mechanism in case the Democrats nominated someone early on who then proceeded to completely disgrace him/herself, or in some other way caused the voters to have buyers remorse. They're not really set up to be kingmakers--at least that wasn't the original idea. They CERTAINLY weren't set up to be tiebreakers.

[gateley]

9. I heard that, too. nt

[LisaL]

11. And so they are certainly not set up to reflect the will of the voters.

In fact they seem to be set up to do just the opposite.
Otherwise, if they are there to "reflect will of the voters" there is no need for them at all.
After all, will of the voters is determined by the actual voting.

[Bicoastal]

12. You misunderstand--if the prospective nominee beats a hooker a month before the convention...

...presumably, the tide of public opnion would be against said candidate. But what can you do? The votes have already been cast! Technically, legally, you're going to have to nominate that candidate and be done with it, because it WAS the will of the people several months ago (even if it isn't now.)

The superdelegates are there to prevent that awful situation from happening.

[JackORoses]

4. I guess Slick Willie didn't sell him on Super Bowl Day

[orleans]

6. okay, okay--who won new mexico? did they finally get around to getting

the votes counted?

[gateley]

8. Hillary did. I see why you're asking. Interesting....nt

[TexasObserver]

7. Bill Richardson is right, and has comported himself honorably throughout.

He's solid on this point.

[caledesi]

13. Obama/Richardson nt

[TexasObserver]

14. That's one possibility, although I think Obama will try to secure a big state/region with VP.

[jackson_dem]

10. Which will? National? The sd's state? The sd's district?

Or will we wait until we see which is most convenient for Obama to decide this pesky issue?