Yes, they should declare their choice now. They know who they are supporting, so why the games?

They probably already have . . . it’s up to them as to when they reveal their choice. I don’t envy them their job since I don’t relish having either one as the democratic candidate for president.

No.

They will have their say at the convention.
Anything else is “the back room boys” trying to run the party.

Yes! I can’t stand the suspense.

Yes!!!! The Super Delegates need to start coming forward, so we can end Hilary’s ridiculous propoganda movement. As a Democrat I want some stability in the party prior to August. Clearly, Obama has generated the lead, support, and admiration of the American people, plus World Leaders as well. It is time to end the Clinton reign.

they should wait until after the last primary so all the voters can vote that is the voters in states that followed the rules of the party but the super delegates should make their minds up before the convention so the voters know how they stand.

If they want involvement in this historic election. The next Super Delegate to hop on the Obama band wagon might be the last one before Clinton concedes.

Lizzy Dan used to say, “Some people are the handle of the pot; there but never in it.”

Jack,
Havent u noticed they already are. i think more would have already done so but they are being harrassed by the hil–bil crew..
By the way — Hilary was on the Jay Leno show last night and made a big joke about her lying about Bosnia….. I could not believe she did that!
She sends a clear message to our US troops that she dont give a dam about them dodging REAL gunfire everyday of our lives
They should take her to the war zones and make her meet every American soldier and apoligize to each personally… A trip to all our injured serviceman as wll and a personal apology.
Then they should send her and Bil back to Arkansas.
I believe every american should get to vote but this Hil–BIL thing has to stop soon.
Every time she opens her mouth garbage shews out!!!!

No. I want to see the old time convention with the vote going to the second ballet when delegates are free to vote for whom they please. Let’s have fun. Rick, Yakima, Wa.

Yes, it’s my opinion that they should endorse Obama today and get it over with and before the Clinton’s make any more promises that they may not be able to keep. Hillary wants to add a cabinel level job to eliminate poverty in America, that’s one. Washington is not just broken it’s totally corrupt.

Jack,
The superdelegates, if they are doing their job as I see it, should stack with time in the direction that they feel best benefits the Party. Since they can legitimately change their vote in the nomination process, they should guide voters in the direction that they themselves are leaning. The voters are always free to decide for themselves.
Visible movement like I suggest would rapidly put an end to the lame argument that Hillary is making that despite losing, she is actually winning.
Superdelegates, by remaining silent simply reinforce her contention that they will overturn the public’s opinion/vote!

Thanks Jack..I like your blog…always.

Peter, Alberta-Canada

No! Absolutely Not! This is allegedly still a democracy. Obama is not God,even though his followers think he is. The system needs to play out until its logical end,even if that takes until August. The democratic party leaders should not be choosing their king,that is up to the people.

Well, “early” has come and gone, Jack.

Should they make up their minds now? Yes. How long has Obama been ahead in the popular vote and the delegates? Seems like forever.

It’s not often that I agree with Mitt Romney, but they’re not doing the party any good right now. Maybe Obama was “vetted” in the last month, but enough already. He’s proven himself to be resilient so let’s stop the blood-letting.

Let her have Pennsylvania so she can leave the race with a little victory and then, let the super delegates have their final say so we can focus on the race ahead.

Patricia in Boise

It is imperative that they make up their minds as early as possible. If they are as super as they want us to believe, making up their own minds shouldn’t be that difficult. I made up my mind well in advance of the Texas primary, and so, unless they have another agenda, their minds shoul be made by now. They have seen and heard the candidates and unless they want John the Baptist to herald the coming of a new candidate, they should end the suspense and help everybody move on. I understand the difficulty in choosing from two candidates who are like siamese twins in both outlook and programs, but if we the people were mandated by time to make that determination, they too should shed their Washingtonian malaise and task themselves.

They better, Jack…

To think that these cowardly neocons and chicken hawks would get 4 more years to screw this country into the ground is beyond comprehension for any sane and ethically moral person.

We must have a nominee by June.

Why not! The last primary is over in the first week of June. That should give them all the information they are going to get. Why wait until August?

Yes and finally put an end to this…. Flood one way or another before the democratic party is destroyed….

You never pick me Jack, why is that?

Obama 08
April in Austin Texas

Normally, I get passionate about your issues, but it is hard to get passionate about this one because as far as I am concerned we should do away with the superdelegates. We need to have an election where each person gets one vote and all votes are equal. Lately, it seems that we are putting people in office that the majority of us don’t want there. Democracy! What’s up with that?

Should decide? Jack, they HAVE decided who they’re supporting. Unfortunately, they’re just too cowed to make their decisions known at this point. They’re either afraid of payback from the Clintons or not getting enough bang for their buck with their vote. The superdelegates could end this race sooner than later. Let’s hope they save their best judgment to do just that.

Well Jack the way I see it, the DNC should ask the superdelegates to speak up early. It’s no need to wait until the Convention.

Why should they make up their minds early? Is this so that they can “unite” around Obama, i.e., board the Titanic after it hit the iceberg, just to make a good impression for White Star Lines?? No interest in simply allowing the primaries to work, and play out as they are supposed to do?

Back in the day, we never knew who the nominees were until the conventions, and the networks mainly covered the news and certainly did not push a particular candidate. How refreshing it is to remember those times. I fear we will never see them again.

Yes Jack, by all means a quick end should be put to this process. Hillary needs to come to grips with reality and quit so Obama can take on the world’s champion panderer, John McCain, who today stood on the spot where MLK was killed and apologized to blacks for voting against a national holiday in King’s honor. “I was wrong,” he repeated over and over as the crowd booed him. This blatant kissing up gave new meaning to the word, “pander”.

Gary
Jacksonville, Oregon

Maybe they should suggest that they should make up their minds early to keep the peace among the party.

Only if the body of voters they represent has already made its wishes known. A super delegate, usually being super only in social class standing, will do considerable harm to the Democratic Party if it goes against the majority, whether delegate or popular vote. It seems these days we look at the simple concept of “majority rules” as very Orwellian. Up is down, left is right. Of course, all this assumes the super delegate has a mind to make up in the first place.

I sure wish I was a Super Duper Delegate and could go on CNN and tell the world that I’m not going to declare who I’ll support until I get a suite in Denver and lots of good meals and maybe a private plane ride to Augusta to watch the Masters, oh and a guarantee of a job where I get paid and don’t have to work. They should declare after their state votes and vote the will of the people.

I do not believe that superdelegates should report their votes at this time. Their responsibility lies at the convention.
Jim in PA…how did you get to be so bitter? You need some counseling.

If the superdelegates dont soon decide, Hillary will make her own rules and then make everyone feel guilty who dont agree with her. She has already said that the delegates dont have to follow the rules. So the longer this goes on the worst the situation will get. Shame on the democrratic party for letting things get so out of control. Looks like another 8 years for the republicans!

NO… And does it really matter. They could always change their mind later. Let all of the voters speak first…

Hello, Florida 2000 anyone? Or how about Gore winning the popular vote but losing. Let the voters vote first.

Certainly Yes. After Penna, Indiana & N.Carolina if they can’t make up their mind they are not realistic & practical people. If Obama is leading in delegates & popular vote he will be the nominee. Undecided superdelegates will go Obama way. We need to move on. Hillary could be (will be) a VP candidate.
California

It would be nice to know, but I guess the time will come eventually.

If the superdelegates declare now, please have them call the remaining primary states and tell them their votes do not matter or count. Then please call all the politicians who called for an end of this race to please not run again for office. If they are not willing to fight for and respect everyone’s right to vote, then they should not be representing America.
Let’s wait till the last vote to be counted. Then, all superdelegates, look to your expertise and heart and vote for the best candidate, the one who can actually beat Mccain!

You know the old saying Jack. Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. The sooner the democrats can turn their undivided attention to the misguided McCain campaign the more likely their chances of winning the White House. The DNC has been pathetic to this point and needs to show some leadership.

They shouldn’t have the right in the first place, but don’t the rules say that they do all that voting at the convension, or am I wrong?

Hi Jack,
English is my second language, so please forgive me for the errors I make. Of all of you in the Situation Room, you are my favorite! You are honest and I like your humor.
I think that thesuperdelegate that knows what candidate he or she wants should endorse that candidate now, stop the guessing. I just hope everyone wants Obama. He is the most sincere of the two. I heard Hillary’s speech today. I was just wondering if her emotion is to get back the people of Penn. that she is loosing. I DON’T TRUST THAT WOMAN!!! I question what she said she did as a child when she heard that Dr. King was killed. How can she remember that long ago? It sounded like her story of Bosnia! Is she fogetting what happened about 12 years ago, and remembering what happen 40 years ago?
Please do not read this comment, broken English, but I feel better now after I said what is in my mind!

Jack, keep up your good work!

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!! Hillary seems bound and determined to decimate the Democratic Party by continuing what should be called the “Ego Tour.” Unless she figures out a way to disenfranchise all of Obama’s voters and glom onto his delegates, she cannot win the nomination. We’re losing valuable time campaigning against McBush.

Absolutely not!
We can wait until the convention.
The problem with the generation is that everyone wants everything right now. We don’t want to wait for anything. Waiting, in this case, is the right thing to do.

Jack, with all the coverage of this primary, any voter who has not yet made up his/her mind is not really engaged. That is doubly true of the SuperDelegates. It’s time for everyone to accept the inevitable and start the healing by publicly getting on the Obama bandwagon.

I don’t know why the hurry, they should at least wait utill all the states have voted. Then let them decide. Between the media and the spin Obama has already been declared the winner.. He is not the best candidate, and All I hear is “Change and Yes we can” are those positions? I wonder where he stands. We know where Hillary stands.

No they should not make up their minds. They should go to the convention as they have in the past and wheel and deal and make it a huge party of convincing super delegates to vote the way each candidate wants them to. That will be much more entertaining!

I’m sure you want them to decide TODAY!

Right after the primaries. Any wjo make up their minds before then are premature.

The Super Delegate classification takes the power out of the hands of the electorate and puts in back into the hands of the politicians thus circumventing the people all together. Personally, I think it was put into effect in case something “came up” making the winning candidate unelectable.
The super delegates should stay out of it until it gets to the convention or all but one candidate drops out. At least that way it will give the perception of the American people having some say in the process.

No Jack. That would be changing the rules wouldn’t it?

They should not be told to make up their minds early, or even think independently of doing so,if they are still truly undecided. The DNC formed officially in 1968, and basically has been a toothless tiger, to say the least, with poor leadership in Mr.Dean as their current Chairman! The Republicans had problems with Ford/Reagan, Eisenhower/Taft, and the Democrates with McCarthy/Kennedy, etc.,etc.and all worked out just fine. It’s a natural process of our political system, and a very healthy one at that!

I think if Obama wins in Pennsylvania and North Carolina then they should throw in vote for Obama since there is no way Hillary can win this thing. This should be over now so the Democrats have more time to fight off another 4 years of Republican mishaps. Great question Jack. I just hope the superdelegates are listening.

Lori
Battle Creek, MI

Jack,

Yes. Because the superdelegates are not bound to their pledge of commitment, it will be nothing more than a large-scale debacle if the Democratic Party waits until the convention, especially now that Hillary is saying pledged delegates can switch their votes as well. Asking the superdelegates to permanently commit to a candidate before the convention is the only way to keep the DNC from imploding come convention time.

Brian,
Moscow, Idaho

Jack
This should be a simple answer, Superdelegates should respect the will of the people and should vote for the canidate that the people of their state voted for.

Simple answer: yes, in fact they should do so immediately.

Slightly more complicated answer: Hillary has insisted on pursuing this tack of wanting every vote to be counted (although take note this is in stark contrast to her initial laissez-faire attitude toward Michigan and Florida, as well as various other states she did not believe she needed back in the fall), so in order to appease her and also in order to increase our chances of getting her supporters to get behind Obama when he eventually takes it, we should indeed allow the various primaries to play out. Ideally, the superdelegates should just declare now so Hillary can get out of the way and Obama can focus on McCain, but practically speaking it’s just not gonna happen.

No the super-delegates should wat until all primaries have gone through the cycle. Look at what the Clinton Machine did to Bill Richardson. If he gets another job in any administration it won’t be Clinton’s, & Bill Richardson did very good work in Bill Clinton’s administration.
Patricia
Palmdale, Ca.

Yes, they should ask the supers to decide after the last primary in June, once the people have finished voting. Then the DNC should start working to get rid of the super delegates and the entire delegate, caucus, and primacaucus system before 2012.

Make it a simple popular vote contest with primaries in every state. No super delegates. No caucuses. No delegates. One person, one vote. The person with the most votes at the end wins.

While we’re at it, lets get rid of the electoral college as well, and go with a popular vote general election.

Why shortchange the voters whose states haven’t held their primaries yet? The media seems hell bent to shorten the process, hurry things up, and select Obama as the candidate. Clinton isn’t that far behind in votes, delegates, etc. but why should the media be fair at this point. Sure she’s a flawed candidate but so is Obama. Tell me, Jack, is it just Hillary the media hates or is it that the media still prefers men as presidents? Patience is a virtue. The party is only harmed when it denies citizens the right to have their votes count. Please concentrate more on Michigan and Florida and the remaining uncounted states and less on trying to force Clinton out of the race by knee-capping her with all kinds of negative press. I look forward to the convention and I don’t care which candidate wins at this point.

No Jack.

I thought voting early was against the rules?

Of course. The party’s organization and drive for November needs to get going. Down ticket candidates need to be chosen, supported and funded. The overall party message needs to refined. These things take some time when you are talking about a country of 300 million

The Clintons thought the contest would be over after Super Tuesday. So did everyon else. Their current argument that everyone should vote before the “contest” part is over is specious. All the primaries will still go forward and they will still offer the people a chance to inform the party candidate of their concerns.

So the Superdelegates need to come out of the woodwork, unite, and get on with it. We the voters want to talk about our dreams and problems, not those of the candidates.

I personally have made my choice. Those super delegates may not be as smart or as swift as I am, though, so they need more time. Or perhaps they want to wait to see who is going to win before they vote . . . a strange old political tradition.

If they declared now and settled it the campaigns would save around $50,000,000, the party would have a chance to heal itself, and all Democrats everywhere could just relax - for a while, anyhow.

Or they can continue, spend the 50Mil, divide the party, and give the white house to McSame-o. It seems so simple to me that it must be a plot of some kind.

Early? Does that mean right away, or after all the primaries, but before the convention. Either way, their decision would only be a pledge, not a vote. The votes don;t come till the convention. So the Supers could create a presumptive nominee, but still have a chance to change their vote if the presumptive nominee implodes before the convention. I think that as soon as the Supers know which way they are going, they should declare their intention so the party and the voters know what to expect. If the end result is a deadlock, at least everyone will know, so steps can be taken. If someone (Obama) locks up the deal, so much the better.

Because of the current situation,where many want the democrats to chose their leader as soon as possible,maybe the super delegates should decide who they support no later than the last caucus or primary;this June.
Mike Canada

Even if super delegates declare their support now, they are not bound to that candidate and can still switch allegiance before the convention anyway….do we want to open THAT can of worms??

Let the primary season end, and then they can look at the results, and make their decision. Either candidate can ’step in it’ at any time. If the candidate is already the presumptive nominee then they are hooped in Nov, with no alternative.

Sure, but keep it to themselves until the primary’s are over and all the votes are counted.

They are allowed to change their minds at any time just in case some more information comes out about the candidates that they might want to considere before making up their minds.

What’s the hurry Obama? Why the bums rush?

Absolutely not. Despite the continual assurance from Democratic Party leaders, the party is currently fractured. Many voters are emotionally entrenched in their candidate and are unwilling to vote for the opposing Democratic candidate. The only way to unify the party is to allow this process to play itself out. If at the end of the day, Clinton or Obama loses with all the cards being played, many voters will not feel cheated - increasing the likelihood that Clinton supporters will vote Obama and vice versa.

- Adam
Miami, Florida

Jack, they have to make up their minds because the are ’super’ but they are like every other voter. I suppose a lot of them were bound by the loyalty spell which is on the trickle now. Just a bit more Jack, you’ll see the flooding soon.

Yes! I’m tired of the fake fence-sitting. The super-delegates are holding their cards close to the vest to see what’s ultimately in it for them. That’s the problem with having politicians as super-delegates.

I think Howard Dean is simply trying to stop Hillary from steamrolling the democratic party. If Hillary can’t be realistic about her position in this election, then someone has to do it for her for the good of the party.

Why not? I am sick of waiting! Let’s get this show on the road already!

No, Jack

The Chinese water torture slow drip of super delagates to Obama is, in my humble opinion, far more devastating to Clinton than a big rush. I like to see Hillary suffer the slings and arrows of her power dream slipping away on a daily basis as she constantly tries to change the rules.

Not at all Jack. We should not let them influence this race at this critical a junction. If Pennsylvania is won by Clinton then the race changes once again. Many of the super delegates who once favored her and then jumped on the Obama band wagon would have egg in their faces. The likes of Kennedy and Kerry would never admit that they once again bet on a losing horse.

I think the Superdelegates should make up their mind by June 3rd after the last primary election. This would enable the democrats unite long before the national convention. The Superdelegates should decide on either Obama or Clinton by that date, but the longer they wait, the more voters would get skeptical about how democratic is the Democratic party.

Emeka, Florida

Jack,
the result is pretty much inevitable isn’t it? It has been technically over for some time now. The only question remaining is how far the Clinton’s will drag this thing into the muck before they accept the FACT that they cannot catch their opponent. If the super delegates accept their leadership role they should also see writting on the wall by now - shouldn’t they? It’s time to put an end to this charade and begin the process of defeating McCain.

Rob - Winnipeg - Canada

It will be a kindness to the Democratic Party and an advantage to the nominee for the superdelegates to weigh in once the primaries have been completed. Whoever the nominee is, he or she will need all the time possible to mount an effective campaign against McCain.

On the other hand, prolonging the process deprives all of the opposition’s political hacks a definite target for their smears.

Yes!

By early, I would assume you mean shortly after the last primary / caucus in June as suggested by Howard Dean.

Letting us know early might allow everyone to start thinking about November. My hope and assumption is that Sen. Obama would garner enough delegates to claim a victory.

But then there is Sen. Clinton’s implied threat that even after all the superdelegates and “pledge” delegates have stated their preference / support, her campaign will perhaps start pressuring all the delegates (super and “pledged”) to switch their votes from Sen. Obama to Sen. Clinton so that she can ultimately steal the nomination.

So, perhaps it doesn’t really matter whether it is early or not, it will still probably be a mess until the convention. I hope all delegates are strong enough that this last scenario never materializes.

Jack its funny! Clinton says that the superdelegates should act independently despite how the people vote. This means that it should not matter when the superdelegates make up thier mind since they are to act ‘independently’. Thus, I say let the superdelegates choose their candidate by next week and this will present a clear view of who should go on and who should take a chill pill.

Once the voting is over, they should look at the numbers and make their decision. Holding off to the convention in this ADD filled campaign with ADD media will make it look like the Democrats are not united.

As an independent I just laugh at the chaos the dems put themselves through. The most funny part is how impatient the media has become. But what is new there, tabloid err I mean news media is like that right?

Maybe Hillary and Barack should challenge each other to a game of Pin The Tail On The Donkey. Winner takes all. It’s better than making an Ass of themselves to the very last primary.

Hasn’t the argument been brought forward that the super delegates didn’t WANT to make this call? On the other hand, a prolonged primary is tearing up the party and will only help the Republicans in the general election. But of course, every voter should be heard and Florida and Michigan are being disenfranchised and that’s not fair. And meanwhile, it is mathematically impossible for Sen. Clinton to catch up to Sen. Obama but hey, he could be hit by a meteorite, who knows? Have I covered about everything?

My head hurts, Jack.

Greg
Oak Park, IL

The Democratic race has gone on way too long. It would be in the party’s best interest to have a chosen candidate to run against McCain. This election was unusual because both candidates, pretty much, stand for the same things. Their popularity was even in most states. The race needs to be over. Super Delegates need to make their decisions so that the party can rally around their nominee and beat the Republicans. It’s my guess, the momentum is with Obama….

Jack, three words; Yes, Yes and Yes! The sooner the better so McCain can end his trip down memory lane!

The DNC should ask all superdelegates that have not pledged to withhold pledging until after the final primary. At that time the DNC should tell the superdelegates to publically pledge before a set date. They should also remind supers of their responsiblity to vote their conscience as they were intended to and do what is best for the party and not do what they feel is best for them like Judas Richardson did. Jumping on a ship just because you think that ship will finish up front and using the technically argument to justify it is simply disgusting.

Who cares about early, just making up thier minds using thier conscience rather than their personal agendas would be nice.

No. I do not think the DNC should force the superdelegates to make their candidate selection until the convention in Denver. What’s the rush? Many nominees have been selected on previous convention floors. It might even be exciting to watch!

They should absolutely make up their minds sooner rather than later. Right now John McCain is running around the country on his “I’m so great” tour and will be able to continue to campaign unchallenged until the democratic candidate is decided. If the democrats are serious about getting back into the White House they need a candidate as soon as possible. The republicans are having a field day with the mess the democratic party is in right now and I have a feeling that they are drooling at the prospect of Hillary becoming the nominee. With all of the lies she’s been caught in recently, the Bosnia story, her position on NAFTA, and the double speak she’s display, saying that the voices of all the voters need to be heard but then should be promptly ignored by the pledged delegates, she’s given them plenty of ammo to use against her in the general election.

Jack,
If the latest news about the Colombian trade talks initiated by Hil’s campaign strategist (and lobbyist) Penn are true, I think the supers have a clear mandate to end her terrible campaign and throw their support now to Obama. Please, it’s OVER Hillary.

The superdelegates have already made up their minds. They say they will not overturn the will of the people but it’s really in their hands. The situation they are in asks if they will actually listen to the will of the people.

Male superdelegates should make up their mind and stick with it no matter what. Female superdelegates should change their minds as often as they want.

In my opinion, superdelegates should show their true colors BEFORE APRIL 22 in order to put a FULL STOP to the Clintons’ farse. Otherwise, we will continue to see one dirty trick after another every day in order to “attract” the unattractable.
White blue collar workers in Penn, I’m white and I’m middle class and also have a brain to think logically. Have you noticed that the polls always show that the people voting for Billary are not college graduates or people over 60? You don’t have to be a college graduate to see the truth. Vote for the less problematic and the fairest contender. No more wars!!!! Get the hint?

Jack,
If the Democrats are so hot and bothered by the idea of not deciding until the convention, why didn’t they schedule the convention the week after the last primary in June? Everyone will have had their say in the voting booth, although a few million votes won’t count due to another ’scheduling’ error. The Dems keep shooting their own toes off and then cry because it hurts. But I guess running the country will be easy compared to trying to pick a candidate. They actually make Bush look competent….well, almost.

Yes! Give “Run for Cover” Hillary the coup de grace before she wrecks the Democrats’ chance for a victory in November. To satisfy her lust for power and sense of “entitlement,” she and ol’ Bill will continue their finger-pointing, sly attempts at sabotaging Obama until the DNC says, “Enough already!” and shuts them down.

Jack
As I recall, most super delagates are politicians. Your presumption that they have “minds” is giving them far too much credit.

Why would any super-delegates endorse now? All of the cabinet/Ambassador positions have been promised already and the rules say there are no rules when it comes to SD’s so let em’ decide when they decide. However it seems as though the candidates fortunes have changed. Obama is now reaching the super-dels and Hillary is winning the primaries. Which is more important?

Jack,

Yes and NO! Super delegates have been forced to think of their political careers. The wrong move equals “career disaster.” The other move equals “political alienation.”

Yes… Super delegates should make their vote know at the time of their state’s primary.

No… Super delegates will never commit political suicide.

Clayton
Atlanta, GA

Jack,

Getting the DNC to make a decision about asking the superdelegates to make an early decision will take months of study by the DNC.

Priority wise, I’d put the superdelegate decision on lower priority than getting regular Michigan and Florida delegates back to the polling stations.

Aren’t most of the members of the DNC … actually superdelegates?

Yes, so that a candiate can finally be named and CNN can stop airing their mind-numbing drivel. “Babies for Obama”? Good grief. I used to care who won, now I just want this media-driven nonsense to end.

Yes! I believe that most of them have already made up their minds. If they have the ability to finally end all of this political drama that is going on, go ahead and step out there and make your choice known - especially if it lines up with the will of the constituents that have already voted in your party. If they don’t speak up and end this fighting, I think the democrate party may suffer a blow that will take years upon years to recover from.

I don’t know if it’s going to take a request to decide early. If Hillary fails to win big in PA and loses both Indiana and North Carolina, the supers may decide they’ve had enough badgering by the Clinton folks and declare for Obama

Gonzales LA

Yes, otherwise what’s the point. The process is the process and they are a very important part of that process

I would think that after they saw her performance on Leno last night, making a joke about her big “misstatement”? about Bosnia that would be enought to send them running to pledge their support to Barack. I have never seen anything so disgusting and demeaning in my life. (I am a 66 year old white woman and I have seen lots of things in my lifetime.)

I think that many superdelegates feel reluctant to disclose their preference because their opinions may change and likely depend on several factors (such as the popular vote or the vote within their states, etc.). They don’t give their current opinion because if they do make a change, people will perceive them as “flip-floppers.” It’s funny how many people feel one of the worst things in American politics is changing your mind, especially after we’ve witnessed what two terms of that mentality has done to our nation. Sometimes people change their minds for rational, logical, or even scientific reasons.

yes, they need to quit spending money like drunk sailors. when the whole country is suffering with money issues , spending money the way they are, when the math shows its over,makes them look so childish and were supposed the be lead by them.? Hilary needs to go back to new york and do the job shes being payed to do. do you know how many people would die to have her income,and she doesnt have to pay for gas. its time someone steps in and puts an end to this nonsense,

Yes, Jack So far most of the remaining superdelegates are from the states Obama has won, they want to jump on the Obama bandwagon but the problem is the so called “unconfortable conversation” with the Clintons that’s what everyone is avoiding.

Jamal
Phoenix, AZ

Jack, no matter when the Superdelegates make their choice of candidate, the election should continue until all the remaining 10 states have had their primaries and caucuses. This process belongs to every Democrat and they should have their chance to register their choice. That’s American!
It appears that the superdelegates are caught in a pinch they didn’t want to be in. Each one wants to be the last to register his support. We must remember most of them are in office themselves and are therefore seeking continuing terms of office. But that very fact places some of them in conflicting positions. True to politics, they will first try to secure THEIR OFFICE, then execute their superdelegate responsibility as obsequeously as possible. Wanna’ have some fun Jack? Put a spotlight and camera on THEIR VOTE and watch ‘em sweat!

They should come forward after PR is done. All of them. Let’s end this

Yes, they should. As long as their states have held their caucuses or primaries, they should not withhold their vote. No reason to do so, unless they are all hedging their bets and want to vote for the winner, after the winner has already been decided.

Maybe I’m a bit slow but who thought up this concept of superdelegates? It’s kind of like a sports free agent. Why should superdelegates be allowed to change their allegiance? Whatever happened to one person, one vote? Before we are concerned with superdelegates let’s resolve the seating of the Florida and Michigan delegates.

Jack,

I think they should start weighing in only if they have made up their mind. But not later than a week or two after the final primary. I am a first time democrat voter, and if this party is to unite under one candidate, they need to do it now; long before the convention. How else will they beable to develope a strong enough platform and infrastructure to defeat the Republicans and again gain control of the White House. Hopefully they will do it soon enough to make it clear that Hillary needs to bow out. This would hopefully preventing her and Bill from making any further major fopa’s that would tarnish their record any further with the American People.

No. Why should they? This race is unpredictable, we need the super delegates in the end to make the smartest and best choice for America. The super delegates will not do us wrong, they’re the best of the best.

No- they should wait until all states complete their primaries. Else it’s like a judge/jury making their decision in the middle of the trial! Why is this so hard to understand? The super-delegates are there for a reason- they should use their independent judgement at the end of the primaries to decide who to vote for. If they act, as Nancy Pelosi wants them to (ie vote along with the pledged delegates/voters), why even have superdelegates?

Jack, what do the “rules” say? Apparently, that is what everyone who is advocating the disenfranchisement of voters in Michigan and Florida are saying. Since the democrats distribute the states’ delegates proportionally, they set themselves up for the possibility of superdelegates deciding, and I believe the “rules” allow the superdelegates to make that decision based on whatever factors that what to consider. So what’s the rush? Both the media and the Obama campaign want to short change the states who have not voted yet. What’s the hurry? Remember many superdelegates are already voting based on considerations other than how their state voted - Kennedy, Kerry and Patrick for example.

Let them duke it out at the convention. I want to see if the American people will stand up and duke it out and riot like they did or have we become a nation of slugs and are too fat and lazy to do anything except run our mouths.

Despite Senator Clinton’s popularity with elements within the Democratic Party, it is becoming increasingly evident that her high negatives and willingness to be divisive are creating a terrible risk for the Democrats’ chances in the autumn. Since the coming election is so significant for the future of the country, it would indeed be tragic to concede a substantial portion of the electorate to the Republicans. Therefore, if the role of the super delegates, as always mentioned, is to do what is best for the party, then they should make their assessment known and conclude the race as soon as practical. Partisans who argue that this prevents people from voting for whom they wish fail to take into account all the candidates who have already left the race, depriving their individual supporters the opportunity to cast their votes for them. It is the nature of the primaries.

Superdelegates should have made up their minds after Sen. Clinton failed to significantly cut into Sen. Obama’s pledged delegate lead when Ohio and Texas voted. For all the talk of this phantom “popular vote” metric, there is no way the Supers can ultimately overturn a 100+ pledged delegate lead without destroying the party. It’s true now, it will be true in Denver, and it was true back on March 5th.

No.

Hi Jack,

No person (super delegate or ordinary delegate) should be required to state his vote choice early. The purpose of the convention (contrary to popular opinion) is not to party and play. It is to choose the candidates! There should be discussion, dialogue, and negotiation among the delegates–leading to the final choice. But that isn’t the way it is done, is it? It is one grand party and vacation for the delegates.

Yes they should make up there mind either now or wait until the las contest is over. Dems do not try to take it to the convention we will lose if we do?

Yes

Jack, What’s on their cape? A big “SD”? They need to show they are truly super and fly in and rescue us from this parody of an election.

Yes they should. If it goes to the convention and a second vote, poor Hillary will lose by even bigger margins.

The problem is that the Democrats need time to mount an offensive against the Republicans and the longer this thing drags on, the less time they have to do so. Also it continues to divide the party which is not a good thing if the Democrats want to win in November.

If the name had been anything but “Clinton”, this would have been over a long time ago.

The obvious answer is NO. I find it troubling that so many “well meaning” folks in mid-stream of the primary want thier choice declared the winner when millions of voters have yet to have their say in the process. This country is supposed to be a democracy where every vote counts, not some third world dictatorship where a third or more of population is not given a chance to participate.

The problem is exacerbated by the news media who want to the make news instead of reporting the news. The Superdelegates who announce their choice well in advance of the convention are also suspect as to their motives.

Dick Niemann in Florida

The Republicans are hoping this thing will go all the way to the convention. Look at all the time McCain has to frolic through the meadow all alone. They must know who they want by now. Hillary thinks it is funny she lied about Bosnia(Jay Leno) if that is not pathetic I don’t know what is. Someone needs to stop this woman from embarrasing herself and ultimately destroying the Democratic Party. Is’nt that fat lady singing yet!!Jack, I am sure you can hear her!!!!!!!!!

Superdegates = Superdelay.

They are milking it for all its worth. Surely, Jack, we are not naive enough to think there are no backroom deals being cut? Personnal fortunes will be made and lost. I wish my vote was worth as much as the superdelegates are getting.

Katie from Hackettstown,

Actually your comment was one of the more well written and lucid comments I’ve read on these blogs. If English is your second language, perhaps you might consider teaching it to those whose first language is allegedly English.

Greg
Oak Park, IL

Jack, the role of a super-delegate is to use his/her best judgement in backing the candidate they feel will be best for the Presidency. If some believe continuing in-fighting will hurt their party in November, then they have the right to make an earlier decision; however, if others want to see how Obama and Clinton make out in future primaries, then these super-delegates have the right to wait for future results.

Why? These super delegates should not determine the outcome of the democratic nomination, it should be the majority vote of the American people…after all that is what democracy stands for. If super delegates feel that they want to back their candidate early, that could help end this democratic circus, but I personally dont mind watching Hillary smear her name and finally show her true colors.
If superdelegates end up chosing the nomination, and it is someone other than the candidate that won the majority vote, the American people should be out raged and I will be voting for an independent or third party candidate, and I hope other Americans think the same way!

Yes, the DNC should ask the Superdelegates to make up their minds and declare themselves. The Supers are a bunch of wimps– they can see the waters rising, but they’re scared to death of going public. Also, they were so sure their Titanic was the safest and strongest ever built, they just can’t believe it’s going down . Ahoy there Clintonites! You hit an iceberg– a new face that voters prefer to YOURS. So quit staring stupidly over the railing at the last of the lifeboats. Bail out! Get a spine!

No they should wait until every state has held its primary if they value the popular vote. But then again do the states really matter?????We are leaving out Michigan and Florida. And Kerry, Richardson and Kennedy haven’t voted along with the vote of their states. What a mess??? Lets just throw all votes out the window and put in the candidate Howard Dean believes should win. Lets all guess who Dean is backing……a little transparent don’t you think.

Jack,
These superDo helped Bill Clinton to get elected. I don’t understand why Billary think that we as people owned them. Bill Richardson was one of powerful Congressmen for almost 15 years. Clinton didn’t pick him up from street and made him ambassador or secretary of energy. Richardson was more than qualified. Today, they are calling him Judas (meaning that they raised him, sent him to school, named him Congressman…) . They are trying to do the same thing to other superdelegates. Superdelegates need to come up and support the candidate they think will win but we need to give the opportunity to our members in 10 States to vote. Hillary needs to stop playing republicans card. One republican told me that they don’t want to run ads against Obama because Clinton is running ads for them and they are saving money. No more debates. Obama needs to meet more people. If you have more than 30 YEARS of so-called experiences, people should know you better!
Chantilly, Virginia

What’s all the hubbub about super delegates having make up their minds early? The DNC set up the process the way they wanted it. Let the process run it’s coarse. If it tears the party to pieces, so be it. If it works like a charm…. Great. It’s not a perfect process but the party will survive. A few egos may be damaged but that would probably be a plus.

Yes, Hillary Clinton is unelectable as the Mark Penn gaffe of today and last night’s inappropriate joke on Leno about sniper fire prove yet again. Let’s start working on the general election. As a republican, I’m begging you, let’s not have a 3rd Bush term with McCain. Superdelegates declare for Obama now!

I have no problem with letting the process playout as long as the Clinton Machine will stop trying to destroy the other democratic canidate. It seems the only way Hillary can come close is by knocking down her opponent to the point where it would hurt the democratic party in the general election.

Michael P
El Seundo Ca

Statistically the numbers are in already which show Obama to be the front runner and with that fact, yes the superdelegates have no reason to continue to pander, what are they afraid of.

No - but the rules need to be defined and handled much better by the DNC before the next election process begins. I don’t think there should be any superdelegates. And I especially don’t think it’s right that most have been lobbied and some have even been paid in order to persuade their decision. Leave it up to the popular votes - one equal vote per person.

marie in sc

Superdelegates will NOT act outside the popular vote and pledged delegates. If superdelegates reverse the popular votes and pledged delegates lead to nominate the underdog, then it will be a challenge to democracy itself. Actually, such scenarios sounds like out of the old Communist CC members action. Time will tell, whoever leads in pledged delegates and popular votes will be the nominee. Senator Clinton’s realistic fate lies on her peformance in Penn State and NC.

Superdelegates should wait until voters voices have been heard, and that includes Florida and Michigan voters. Any process that disenfranchises voters of any state will result in a lose for democrats in November.

Jerry Wilson

The Democrat Party should not asks the Super Delegates to make up their minds until all of the state primaries have been concluded.

At that time they will know which candidate won the total popular vote and which candidate won the moste votes based upon electoral college allocation of delegates.

The primary factor they should consider is the strenght of the respective candidates in the “swing states”.

Wins in states such as Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina are meaningless. There is no way the Democrats are going to carry these states.

Wins in “swing states”such as Illinois California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri,Washington, the New England States and New York are significant because these states can go to either party.

Obama and Clinton are both capable. The country cannot afford four more years of a Republican in the White House. After reasoned deliberation the Democrat Party needs to pick the more electable of the two.

The majority of them already know who they are going to support, but don’t want to be subjected to the Clinton/Carville and others raft that Bill Richardson is going through. Tell them don’t be scared - it will be okay. haha

I think all superdelegates should set their clocks for 3am on July 1st, and send their vote straight to the DNC.

Yes. Why would they have to wait if Hillary cannot even win the states that she herself said were important to win in November. The election in November isn’t going to be decided by just Michigan and Florida which she is fighting so hard to include. And, how does she even know she would win Michigan when Obama was not even on the ballot when she “won”? I think it is pretty obviously right now that the people want Obama and if the superdelegates overturn the people, there is going to be revolution in the Democratic party, if one even exists after that.

Right now Obama is flying high and Hillary is in “vulture mode”. If Obama falters, she’ll pounce. Most of the remaining uncommitted delegates will allow that for another month or so until the primaries have ended. Then these politicians who want to be on the winning side will speak out and it’ll be over except for the formality of the convention.

Not at this point. Clinton has set things so that choosing Obama is misogynistic. Obama just needs to learn from Clinton that politics isn’t as genteel as he is.

Superdelegates need to take a look at what Hillary is telling them that Obama cannot win in November. They are changing their minds and going for Obama. I gave the Superdelegates much more credit than they are showing. I’m telling you, if Obama gets the nomination, the Republicans will have a field day with him. Swift boad ads will look like grade school hype. HILLARY is strong enough to win against the Republicans. She has great ideas. She doesn’t get enough credit for her intelligence. Everyone thinks she is hateful and mean, I see a person that is always thinking about the needs of this country.

Jack…

According to the website that I am watching for SuperDelegate counts there are still 462 uncommitted SuperDelegates. Senator Obama only needs 395 of those (or other pledged delegates) to cinch the nomination. I would love to see 171 of the uncommitted superdelegates endorse him over the next 18 days. One on the first day, then two more on the second day, then three on the third day and so on….
Honestly, I just want to see Billary implode.

Yes. They should decide early and I think they will.

Have you noticed the drip…drip…..drip?? Superdelegates are running to Obama.

In reality, this race is over and Hillary is just hanging on to destroy democrat’s chances of winning the white house. She is really a vicious woman.

Jack

How long do these super delegates need to vote their conscience? Superdelegates should know by now who they support. That is unless they are being influenced by factors such as political favors, fear of being referred to as Judas or a simple lack of backbone.

Perhaps, superdelegates are confused and are not sure which Hillary to consider. The one that uses humor and tears, the one that throws the kitchen sink or the one that mis-speaks and deceives in order to get votes.

My thoughts are - what are they waiting for? They have a once in a lifetime candidate like Barack Obama that has arrived on the political scene at the exact right time in our history. He’s honest, sincere, trustworthy and comes with little or no baggage.

Yes. It’s the only way to end the infighting among Democrats well in advance of the convention, something everyone, except the Clintons, seem to want.

I don’t see what difference it makes. Hillary’s going to hang on till someone pries her fingers off the edge.

Boise, Idaho

I wouldn’t want to be one of the last remaining super delegates to have to decide the fate of this thing. Talk about a no win situation. You’ll end up disappointing half the democratic party. If you know for sure who you’re for, I’d be declaring it right now to avoid the scrutiny it will surely come to in the end.

Yes Jack, the superdelegates should make up their minds at the close of all of the primaries in June. At this time, all of the numbers will be in; however just remember that figures don’t lie but LIARS FIGURE.

Look, the reality is that it will be Obama / McCain this fall. The Clintons are just ensuring that they will NOT be part of process after teh convention. Fine! We need to move on and clearly define what this election is all about: same old people making money off of military no bid contracts, or the future investment in our kids and country.

oh yeah…………………… No

They should. Superdelegates need to understand that NAFTA hurt this country and Hillary White House Sched. shows that she was a big supporter for NAFTA and also making side-deals with Colombia. This shows that Ohio was fooled. Upstate NY is already feeling the pain and soon PA. Lets end this race and focus on McCain who by the way, feels bad now for not voting for a MLK day. Since 83 he now feels bad!

There’s a greater risk of messing things up if you try to complete a task to quickly rather than slow and carefully. We need to let this process finish on its own schedule and let every registered voter in America have their say. Clinton still has my vote and the votes of many other Americans who believe in her and her message.

Jack,
There are approximately 300 days left in this eight-year nightmare that has been the Bush administration. The longer the Democratic Party prolongs the race between Clinton and Obama, the greater the chance that Bush will be given a third term to be served by his surrogate, John McCain. Hillary needs to accept the fact that Obama will be the Democratic candidate ASAP so the Dems can concentrate on defeating McCain.

Collin
Hayden,ID

I believe the last primaries are in June. One week after that, which is when the conventions should have been held, they need to decide. Give it to the front runner so they can start working on McCain. Dragging on until August is ridiculous. If they ignore the majority, I’ll vote for Nader.

Yes, Yes, Yes!! Clinton benefits by this grinding on by either somehow stealing the nomination, or by damaging Obama enough that he loses to McCain while she positions herself to run in 2012. It seems that the only thing greater than the Democrat leaders distain for the Clintons is their overwhelming fear of them. Would the Demcrat leadership (I know it’s an oximoron) have allowed any other democrat to play dirty against Hillary as she has against him. I tthink not.

I just learned something…. If you make 2 comments on your blog, the first one gets lost… nice work jack………………. The first one had all the good stuff.

I do believe that they should make up their minds early and spare the entire Democratic Party one giant headache; but I can see how they would be pressured into doing so… From both campaigns, especially Billary’s, the DNC Chair, the political columnists and the voters… the superdelegates are being funneled into a little cave at the very end of the path. Many of them would like to break away before they smack into the wall at the very end.

NO, because the race is still close enough that it’s anyone’s game. If they want to make up their minds, they will. More interesting from my point of view, is whether the dems will change their entire system before 2012 because of this debacle…

I say Hillary should drop out of the Democratic party and become an Independent. She should run as an Independent. This way, she will take her 50% of the Democrats who knows she is the best qualified for the job and win the Presidency. Obama is not going to get Hillary’s supporters because the liberal media and Obama’s campaign has done nothing but disrespect her. We are not going to vote for Obama anyway in November. McCain is our other choice, but, I prefer to vote for Hillary.

DNC can suggest it but they should not force it. Why can’t these people let the defined process run its course ? This is good demcracy as far as I see it. People are so much engaged in the process. What is wrong with that Jack ? What is the hurry ?

Nuwan from Houston TX

That would be a……….. Yes!!!!

Yes WE CAN!!!!
OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!

Yes, positively. In fact, it’s way past time. What the Clinton’s are doing to the party in the name of their own selfish interests is absolutely criminal. Stop this madness, NOW!

” Clinton has a whole team of aides wh