Who are the Super Delegates, and how can they be influenced?
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As Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama rack up their apportioned electoral delegates, the tight race to the Democratic nomination is looking like it will ultimately be decided at the convention by super delegates. The day after Super Tuesday, Clinton had won 706 delegates and Obama had won 707 (CNN). But still out there are the 850 or so super delegates who have no obligation to support the candidate who wins the most delegates, or the most votes among their constituents. Super delegates, while undemocratic, are intended to prevent a radically ideological or inexperienced candidate from winning the nomination. As with the Electoral College, this is supposed to be a check on the fickle masses.
Currently, Hillary Clinton has secured 90 super delegates to Obama's 63. That leaves approximately 700 super delegates who have yet to pledge their support for either candidate. How can we ensure that the process of selecting the Democratic nominee is a democratic one? By pressuring the elected officials among the super delegates to support their consituents' wishes. As for the DNC members among the super delegates, we need to pressure them to support whoever wins the most electoral delegates.
Pledged super delegates:
http://www.rollcall.com/politics/endorsements.html
Unpledged super delegates:
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
My congressional representative, Barbara Lee (CA 9), has pledged to support Obama, which is consistent with her constituents. Diane Feinstein pledged to support Clinton long before Californians went to the polls, but at least now she's consistent with the majority of her constituents. Barbara Boxer has yet to pledge her support. Now is the time to contact your elected representatives and DNC members from your state and demand that they support the democratic process. After this election cycle, Democrats should reform the delegate allocation strategy by either abolishing super delegates or by only allowing currently elected officials to serve as super delegates, thereby ensuring some accountability to the electorate.
Currently, Hillary Clinton has secured 90 super delegates to Obama's 63. That leaves approximately 700 super delegates who have yet to pledge their support for either candidate. How can we ensure that the process of selecting the Democratic nominee is a democratic one? By pressuring the elected officials among the super delegates to support their consituents' wishes. As for the DNC members among the super delegates, we need to pressure them to support whoever wins the most electoral delegates.
Pledged super delegates:
http://www.rollcall.com/politics/endorsements.html
Unpledged super delegates:
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
My congressional representative, Barbara Lee (CA 9), has pledged to support Obama, which is consistent with her constituents. Diane Feinstein pledged to support Clinton long before Californians went to the polls, but at least now she's consistent with the majority of her constituents. Barbara Boxer has yet to pledge her support. Now is the time to contact your elected representatives and DNC members from your state and demand that they support the democratic process. After this election cycle, Democrats should reform the delegate allocation strategy by either abolishing super delegates or by only allowing currently elected officials to serve as super delegates, thereby ensuring some accountability to the electorate.
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