Dems Need a 'Superconvention'

With a tight race and a “crazy quilt of anti-democratic rules” that govern the Dems’ race for the nomination, we need a fair and transparent way to settle the matter. How? Try a July “superconvention,” writes Dan Gerstein in Politico. Superdelegates would gather to hear speeches from each candidate, openly debate the matter themselves—then cast their votes.

To keep the contest out of the feared “smoke-filled rooms,” the event would be televised. Some might call it an unnecessary precursor to the standard convention—but it would allow the winner months more campaigning before the general election. Unrealistic? Perhaps, writes Gerstein, but “maybe an off-the-wall solution is just what is needed to settle this off-the-wall campaign.” (More Barack Obama stories.)