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Dems Need a 'Superconvention'

Earlier superdelegate event could fix Dems' drama: Politico

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 24, 2008 3:22 PM CST
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(Newser) – 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.”

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., gestures to Barack Obama at the debate at the Austin Democratic Debate at the Recreational Sports Center on the University of Texas campus in Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 in Austin, Texas. A superconvention could be the key to fairly choosing a candidate for the...
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., gestures to Barack Obama at the debate at the Austin Democratic Debate at the Recreational Sports Center on the University of Texas campus in Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shake hands at the end of the Democratic presidential debate in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. A superconvention could be the key to fairly choosing a candidate for the party, writes Dan Gerstein. (AP...
Democratic presidential hopefuls, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shake hands at the end of the Democratic presidential debate in Austin, Texas, Thursday, Feb....   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks to a crowd at a watch party Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks to a crowd at a watch party Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, speaks to a watch party crowd Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, speaks to a watch party crowd Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)   (Associated Press)
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Comparing superdelegates and Academy voters
Associated Press

 
Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Democratic National Convention • Democratic National Committee • Democratic nomination • superdelegates • Election 2008

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