Hillary's Latest Strategy - "Poaching" pledged delegates

[housewolf]

Hillary: Pledged Delegates "Just Like" Supers — They Can Switch
By Eric Kleefeld - March 25, 2008, 12:09AM

During an interview with the Philadelphia Daily News editorial board, Hillary Clinton again pitched the idea that she can close the gap in the pledged delegate count — by pointing out that pledged delegates can always switch their votes (1).

"And also remember that pledged delegates in most states are not pledged," said Clinton. "You know, there is no requirement that anybody vote for anybody. They’re just like super-delegates."

Hillary previously hinted at such a strategy about two weeks ago (2), while over a month ago the campaign had to deny reports that they would attempt such a thing (3).

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


Other supporting links:
(1) http://www.attytood.com/2008/03/clinton_pledged_delegates_are_1.html
(2) http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/hillary_pledged_delegates_can.php
(3) http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/clinton_spokesperson_we_will_n.php

[democrat_nanny]

1. Those are the rules...

You want Hillary to follow the rules. The rules say that "pledged" delegates can switch their vote. If you don't like it, go to your caucus next time, stick around for the platform portion of the evening and work on changing it. But, for now, the rules are the rules.

[anamandujano]

2. And with the wave of buyer's remorse about Obama, it's a good thing

the rules are such.

[WolverineDG]

4. Then why did I hang up on her

when she robo-called me today?

(true story)

dg

[ThatBozGuy]

3. As a supporter of Mr Obma, its ok, there isn't anything against it......

And Mr Obamas campaign in most cases has chosen their delegates well. Most are hard core campaign loyalists and most wont budge, Mr Obama has been organized for this run very quickly but very cleanly. Ms Clinton however was not prepared fro a run after February 5th and the weakness in her delegate structure is demonstrated and tangible so they are making an effort to shore up.

One only has to look to the failure of Ms Clintons campaign to meet the deadline for filing delegate names in Pennsylvania not once, but when Ms Clinton's surrogate Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell extended the deadline they did not even get a full list of delegates let alone alternates submitted for the second deadline.

Ms Clintons slap together delegate chain is weak and she is the ONLY candidate that has already had delegate creep impact her with the loss of a delegate to Mr Obama in the Iowa convention a few weeks ago.

There is no reason to be concerned about delegate creep there will be some shrinkage on both sides, but that is countered by the addition of extra delegates in the final divisions so its moot. None will leave enmasse anywhere.

[democrat_nanny]

5. Yes, that hat served Mr. Obama well

Indeed, indeed. That hat that the Obama supporters put their names in and drew out of because they couldn't agree on who got to go to the next level of sparkle dust and free ponies served them well. Maybe it was a magic hat? Perhaps a relative of the Sorting Hat of Harry Potter fame?

[bigbrother05]

6. That 's how Obama keeps picking up delegates in states that have already voted.

If you are desperate, you talk about what you're gonna do.

If you are organized, you do it and let the others figure it out after it's over.