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Super Delegate Situation a Tangled Thicket

796 insiders must walk line between public's wish, party allegiances

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2008 6:23 AM CST
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(Newser) – Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have long been courting superdelegates—the 796 Democratic insiders whose votes are becoming ever more critical to their party's nomination—but the situation is rife with potential pitfalls, explains the Washington Post. The idea that the votes of everyday Democrats may not end up deciding their candidate is just the beginning of the problem. The superdelegates—worth the equivalent of two Californias—give extra nominating clout to the party's elected officials.

Many of the superdelegates have clear and strong ties to one candidate, especially the legions of Democrats to whom Bill Clinton (a superdelegate himself) once gave jobs. Then there are financial ties, forged by the campaigns giving their bumper-sticker and voter-list business to companies owned by party insiders. Superdelegates must ultimately balance their own feelings with those of their constituents, not an easy proposition.

Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., cheer during her speech before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. With public support for each Democratic hopeful splitting state delegate counts, the results may well come down to the leanings of party insiders. (AP...
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., cheer during her speech before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. With public...   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton speaks on behalf of his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Dillard University in New Orleans. President Clinton's ties to so many of the party leaders could tip the balance in favor of his wife, as the...
Former President Bill Clinton speaks on behalf of his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Dillard University in New Orleans. President...   (Associated Press)
Voting machines are ready at Martin Luther King Charter School in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, on election day Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The Democratic candidate may not be decided by voters after all, if it comes down to the decisions of super delegates. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Voting machines are ready at Martin Luther King Charter School in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, on election day Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The Democratic candidate may not be decided by voters after...   (Associated Press)
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama shows overwhelming support as votes are tallied at a Democratic caucus at Seattle Central Community College in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The decision may not ultimately be down to voters, however, if the super delegates end up breaking a virtual...
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama shows overwhelming support as votes are tallied at a Democratic caucus at Seattle Central Community College in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008....   (Associated Press)
An image of Barack Obama is seen printed on the back of a shirt as voters wait nearby to hear results being tallied at a Democratic caucus at Seattle Central Community College in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. Democrats crowded into caucuses in schools, union...
An image of Barack Obama is seen printed on the back of a shirt as voters wait nearby to hear results being tallied at a Democratic caucus at Seattle Central Community College in the Capitol Hill neighborhood...   (Associated Press)
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Party leaders make changes that suit them
San Francisco Chronicle

Superdelegates weren't meant to be wooed this early
New York Times

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Bill Clinton • Democratic Party • Democratic presidential primaries • superdelegates

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