Super delegates may sink the Democrats

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 19, 2008 | Joshua Spivak

[Puzzleman]

-- snip --

The elected delegates, though virtually unknown, are at least selected by the voters and pledged to the candidate those voters chose. Most of the super delegates aren't chosen by the general populace, and they are not bound by the votes in their respective states. If they end up making the difference in the nomination -- especially if the winner came into the convention in second place -- there is a strong possibility of disenchanting a good portion of the party's base, potentially costing the party the election...

[Jim Noble]

And I cannot recal, but does the Constitution require reps voting for the tied candidates, or can they elect anyone?

They must choose between the top two electoral vote getters, each state gets one vote (California = Wyoming).

Interestingly, the Senate chooses the VP from among the top three EV getters, and each Senator gets one vote.

This was done, I presume, so that if the House deadlocked there would always be a VP-elect to serve as President, since the Senate by definition cannot have a three-way tie if each Senator votes.

By the way, Jimmy and Tommy expected this process would be used frequently, and in fact that's how TJ was elected in 1800.

[Libloather]

...there is a strong possibility of disenchanting a good portion of the party's base, potentially costing the party the election...

They aren't called democratics for nuthin'!

[Tarpon]

The Democrats always rig everything ... Vote fraud is the only way anyone would elect these fascists.

[Arkinsaw]

They want to get rid of the Electoral College or award Electoral Votes based on the national popular vote contrary to state voters

BUT

They want to keep super-delegates who can override their own party’s voters and select the second place candidate.

[Popman]

Democrats have already disenfranchised the whole state of Michigan.

I wonder how that is going to play in the general election?

I am not sure why commentators are not pointing that out.

Because they are unbiased and seek only to report the news with out personal opinion or to promote an political agenda. (rolling eyes)

[Utah Girl]

Thanks for posting the article about super delegates. I never understood that process before. The Democrats sure can’t let the democratic process play out can they.

[doug from upland]

I thought they had 852 Super Delegates.

[SusaninOhio]

I’m a little slow this morning, but I read in local paper last night that electronic voting is going to be replaced in OHIO by some kind of paper ballots - not sure if they are what we have been using in this part of the state (punching with a stylus) - probably that would be it.

Hanging chads in Ohio? I can’t wait.

[doug from upland]

Here is an additional discussion - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1948856/posts

[TomasUSMC]

In 2008, the 796 super delegates will make up about 20% of the entire convention. Winning the nomination requires 2,025 delegates.

[DuncanWaring]

...since the Senate by definition cannot have a three-way tie if each Senator votes.

Actually, they can if the number of states is an integral multiple of three (not currently the case, but has been many times in the past).

[elpadre]

It would be better than to gather them all in a domed football stadium somewhere in an exotic location, uncommitted, and let them go for the nomination - no holds barred.

sort of like the ol time smoked filled party convention rooms from which a nominee would emerge.

save a bunch of bucks at the same time and the media would go absolutely crazy.

[elpadre]

“It would be better than to gather..”

correction - “better to gather,”

[Steely Tom]

Jabba: Super Delegates were the Democrat Party's solution to a previous problem, when their dumbed-down, screwball supporters kept voting for unelectable nutcases.

Moon: McGovern. And it's interesting that he was the first nominee after the Dems implemented affirmative action for their delegates after the Chicago riots.

Great exchange. Great observations, both!

[redpoll]

As I said on another post, the leftists have remained true to form and established an American Politburo for their party. Ideological cohesion is what they’re about. Sadly, it is too esoteric a concern for most people.

[Jabba the Nutt]

You’re right, that probably is the attitude for both major parties, etc. The problem for the GOP is theat their voters or rather potential voters have principles and won’t vote for just anything with an R behind it. So, the GOP has the attitude, but they’re screwed, because their voters still make choices. Black Americans are screwed every election, because they vote as a block for people, who simply use and abuse them. Let’s hope the battle between Hillary and Barack becomes so bitter, so poisoned, that when Hillary finally pushes the Black man aside, the blinders will fall from the eyes of Black Americans and the will wake up.