Are Edwards 19 Delegates Officially Released to O?

[oldpol]

they are still pledged to vote on the 1st ballot, right...

[LakeSamish706]

1. They are released to do as they please! n/t

[oldpol]

3. dont the rules say they have to vote on the 1st ballot?

or this could help push us over the top next week! :)

[mdmc]

2. they should be released after the initial ballot like you said,

but I guess they could be ready on round one. Not too familiar with these crappy rules vs. non-rule pageantry

[oldpol]

4. well, at least it will be good to have them in reserve

I've always liked Edwards speaking about poverty and issues of the working people

[mdmc]

16. yeah, the 2008 Edwards was the bomb

:toast:

[XemaSab]

5. If they go to Obama

that would totally obliterate Hillary's meager gains yesterday.

[oldpol]

6. the CNN anchor just said that!

lol, CNN says they can vote for whomever they like

[XemaSab]

7. Did she use the word "obliterate?"

:shrug:

:P

[oldpol]

9. no, but she is kinda hot

all the young up and coming hotties are on the webcast! :)

[Hope And Change]

8. You can watch it now!

Edwards to endorse Sen. Obama
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama receives John Edwards' endorsement in Grand Rapids, MI

Watch it here----->http://edition.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream3

[oldpol]

11. love the bumper music on CNN

step aside and let the man go through and celebration by kool and the gang!

[2rth2pwr]

10. After the fist ballot they are free to vote for who they want, and they cannot be compelled

to vote for anyone.

[oldpol]

13. could Edwards in his speech release them from their 1st ballot obligations?

i guess the certification committee could refuse their votes otherwise

[RichardRay]

12. Officially, any delegate can vote for whomever they want

on any ballot, including the first. It is customary for them to vote as directed by their state primaries or conventions. If a candidate who has that commitment 'requests' that his or her delegates vote otherwise on the first ballot that's totally kosher, but only as binding as the delegates' loyalty to the original candidate. With an endorsement that's usually how it goes; there's a more lukewarm version where the original candidate just 'releases' the delegates to make another choice.

[oldpol]

17. so they could be used if the 1st ballot vote is close for the nomination?

so it is not a punishable offense, just a proceural one

[RichardRay]

18. Typically, if Edwards were to ask them to they'd be perfectly

free to do just that.

[LakeSamish706]

14. Not sure about that, just heard Donna Brazile say on CNN that they can go for...

whomever.

[oldpol]

15. great news!

big woot! for DB...