Superdelegate question - the ones that aren't in public office.

[Whisp]

iirc, there is quite a chunk (around 200?) of superdelegates that are not elected but still have the same powers to vote.

I can see the public officials having to see this game in a different way as they have to keep their own postions in mind to a certain extent.

what of the others that are not beholding to the public? Who are they and is it true that Clinton has the bulk of these in her corner?

[WyLoochka]

1. Most of them are much

closer to their party folks than the elected officials. They're activists who worked up to be their State Party Chairs, Vice Chairs etc.

They live and work full time in these states. I would think most would be more likely to go along with their state voters than to capitulate to long time DC denizen arm twisters.

But, there are always those few stinkers who are corrupt and eager to get on, or stay on, the pork train which gives them the opportunities to play out their local graft, fraud and corruption schemes.

[Whisp]

3. thanks for the response.

makes it a bit clearer. I had wrongfully assumed they would have a freer reign than the elected, but am comforted somewhat that they have obligations to the public as well.

[Xithras]

2. Most are beholden at some level.

Most are DNC members elected to fill those roles by the membership within their state party. They are elected democratically by the volounteers within the state party offices. If you're active within your state party outside of voting in the major elections, you've probably heard of these elections before. Most people ignore them and consider them a ceremonial or honorific role. As this election shows, however, they can on occasion play an important role.

Still, to maintain their status they need to vote in a way their state party members will agree with. If they don't, they'll lose their status the next time an election rolls around.

[DemVet]

4. NOPE.

They can vote for whomever they wish.

[Whisp]

6. so can the supers that hold public office.

but they have to keep in mind the wishes of their voters, to a certain extent.

My question was basically if the non elected had some kind of similar obligation (rather than just pile on one nominee with no consequences) and I see now that they too have considerations to make and their vote is attached to their positions.

[DemVet]

7. The wishes of the voters?

Personally, I don't think the number that will give a hoot matters in the long run.

[Xithras]

8. Did you even read my post?

Of course they can vote however they like. So can our elected Senators, Reps, and a wide variety of other elected leaders. The thing is, because many of them are elected by their state party membership, those members can choose to throw them out later over their votes. Most superdelegates are elected within the party, and can be thrown out if they don't vote the way they like. Even internal party leadership positions are elected by local party activists. If those leaders don't vote how we like, we can throw them out.

Of course, that does require being active in your local party outside of major elections. Superdelegates and most internal party positions are selected by people who are active in the party year round.

[Whisp]

5. ah, now I remember, that 21 year old super...

he ws on CNN a while back, he said he was nominated for super through his work for the DNC, iirc.

he did seem to be genuine about taking his vote seriously. If he didn't he would have some 'splaing to do, as you say.

glad to hear there has to be a certain amount of accountability for these supers as well.