Should superdelegates end Dems’ bloody fight?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Democratic superdelegates are looking for an exit strategy. There's a growing sense among these almost 800 party insiders that they want the battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama resolved before the convention in August.
However, The New York Times reports that interviews with dozens of undecided superdelegates found them uncertain about who could actually step in and help end this thing before the party bloodies itself too much.
Many of these undecided delegates say they plan to wait and see what happens in the remaining primary contests, although many also believe they'll ultimately side with the will of the voters. This goes against the approach Clinton is pushing – that the superdelegates should decide for themselves who would make the best candidate.
A lot of the superdelegates are talking about having some power broker step in and strike a deal. Some of the names mentioned include DNC chairman Howard Dean, former Vice President Al Gore and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But others think it would be impossible for an outside person or group to reach an agreement between these two candidates who have so much support.
Meanwhile, it looks like Democratic voters aren't so sure about the whole concept of superdelegates to begin with. A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 50% of registered Democrats think it's a bad idea for the party to have superdelegates. 42% think it's a good idea.
Obama leads Clinton when it comes to pledged delegates, number of states won and the popular vote. As for superdelegates, Clinton leads Obama 237 to 207, although he continues to narrow the gap there.
Here’s my question to you: Should the superdelegates step in and end the fight between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama before the convention?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Keith writes:
With our economy now headed for a full-blown depression (not a recession), somebody better step in and end the Democrats' nonsense. I honestly don't think this country could survive another 4 years of Dubya's failed economic policies with McBush.
Rosalynd writes:
I do not think this selfish and spineless group of delegates has the courage to do what is necessary. This should have been over when Senator Obama ran off a string of 11 victories. Clinton's big state argument is foolish. Since several of those big states are blue anyway, the two candidates are about equal in big swing states, and Texas has been out of reach for the Dems for 3 decades.
Steve writes:
On June 7th, after the last state has voted, the superdelegates should step in and give the nomination to whoever is in the lead in pledged delegates at that time. No reason to wait until August for the convention.
Julia from Kentucky writes:
No, Jack, they shouldn't. How about voting for the candidate we want? Go back to the way it is supposed to be, the popular vote. Seems to me that if we lay the choice at the feet of the superdelegates, then the actual choice is taken from us, letting the opinions of a few decide the outcome for millions. Last time I looked, that isn't what this country is supposed to be about.
Rosemarie from Vero Beach, Florida writes:
The superdelegates definitely should step in and remove Hillary Clinton's boxing gloves. A good referee would be Howard Dean since he's the head of the DNC. Hillary's the one who bloodied the race and she's the candidate who is behind. We all know that whatever plays out in the remaining primaries, Barack Obama can't be beat.
Aaron from Champaign, Illinois writes:
Unless Obama and Clinton enter a steel cage fight to the death, how else is this thing going to end? Personally, I prefer the death match.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
No. Let the Democratic process play itself out.
Jack what in the world is wrong with you? The super delegates are not involved in this until it reaches the convention. By then Obama and Rev Wright will be long gone.
Should the superdelegates step in and end the fight between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama before the convention?
At the convention, yes.
Before the convention, no.
We all need to step back and take a chill pill. This is part of the democratic process whether we like it or not.
Lobby your local democratic party to change it for the next election process. This time around it's part of the system, the rules... oh wait, changing the rules mid election is the new norm – right Hillary?!
Yes, Yes, & Yes. Everytime you turn the corner the Clintons are coming up with something new to fight over. Enough is enough, time to stop tearing the party apart.
Tammie, MI
God yes, let them step in now and end the Democratic Party; nothing like rich white people deciding who will lead a political group do it death who will the bell toll for. Just for kicks after they step in they should by a bout load bell and hand them out at the convention so they could do two thing help the economy and answerer the question for who the bell tolls for… hahaha
On June 4th after the last state has voted, the superdelegates sould step in and give it to whoever is in the lead in pleaged delegates at that time. No, reason to wait until to August for the Convention.
Yes! I think that doing so will give the Dems some type of focus b/c they are tearing the party up with the infighting. What's so stupid about it all is that they are doing to each other what they should be doing to McCain. And to think, I was actually swaying Dem this election, but all the nastiness has sent me back to the right. McCain's over in Iraq looking like he's already the president while the Dems are too busy explaining other ppl's actions. It's a done deal, Jack....McCain has this one in the bag if he can just hold out until November.
Definitly not at this point. It is too late for that now. The best thing would be to get Florida and Michigan revote so there is a much better chance this race to be ended by pledge deligates without being intervened by superdelegates. That way, it is people's decision and no one can say anything.
Nuwan from Houston, TX
If the states of the SUPER DELEGATES have already voted, they should go ahead and allocate their votes and hopefully end this mess before the Democrats have NO CHANCE to win. Obama is trying to keep this race about the issues but the Clinton camp is determined to sling "THE KITCHEN SINK" to bring him down, while saying they want to work for the good of the Democratic Party and leaving the door wide open for John McCain to win. Hillary or should I say BILL wants to win at any cost..
yes somebody should step in before the CLINTONS destroy everything in thier paths. I dont know why, when everyone knows what a catrastophe it would be if she was eleceted! with her BUSH tactics of fear smear lies to get what she wants we have one in the White House like that now. why as she say HIRE her!!!
The superdelegates might be able to end this nightmare we call a primary by shifting to one side or the other, but it's probably best to let the remaining primaries play out. If the superdelegates happened to break for the candidate with the least support among the voters, all hell would break loose. There is one more scenario you failed to mention. One candidate might notice thay are behind in elected delegates and behind by 700,000 in the popular vote and realize there is little hope of earning the nomination. That candidate might consider withdrawing before more damage is done to the party.
No. The superdelegates should wait until the primary results are in. They need to consider not only the popular vote (which is hard to measure in caucus states, but can be estimated), but also which candidate will deliver the large electoral votes and the greatest number of Democrats to the House and Senate (will Obama supportes, for example, also vote Democratic in their state and local elections?). If the Democrats ever want to switch to an all primary, no caucus system and get rid of superdelegates, I would be all for that, just as I am for eliminating the electoral college. But given that we have superdelegates, we should let them do their job in June, when all the data we're going to have is in.
Torrington, CT
I think that would be wonderful but only if all will back Barack Obama.
Hi Jack. I think the superdelegates should wait until the remaining democrats from the 10 states express their opinion. At the end of day, they should nominate anybody who has more pledge delegates. I mean I support Barack Obama but if he comes short on the pledge delegates, then Mrs. Clinton should get the nomination. I thought that what Speaker Pelosi substantially said on This Week with David Stephanopoulos. That is JUSTICE Jack.
Yes, they should. As I have said before, Hillary and especially Obama are both pretty much ruined for November. If we want to beat McCain, the super delegates should mutiny, and nominate someone like Biden or Edwards, or draft Sen. Jim Webb.
Back in the old days in the smoke filled rooms era, the power brokers would have done this in a moment and apologized to no one; victory in November would justify their action, and no one would have whined about it. Edward R. Murrow and H.V. Keltenborn would not have raised their eybrows – they knew common sense when they saw it. I wish we all still did.
Yeah, and lets make sure we do it before Hillary takes the lead in deligates. With the mo she has right now, she could catch, and pass Barrack in the next couple of months. I'm sure this what a lot of people would like to happen, but remember we are still in America, and we have to let the process work its way out no matter who wins. I can understand why the supporters want the superdeligates to step in now, but that would be grossly unfair, and it will never happen. The only time the superdeligates can cast a vote is during the convention. Sorry, but it just works that way.
jack are you kidding me? you want this guy in the white house so bad you can almost taste it. well i hate to burst your bubble by the time the election comes obama will be done. if by chance he does win the nominee he will lose the election over his pastors remarks. and oh by the way ii noticed you are not even bringing it up. god forbid if it was hillary you would have her tarred and feathered. talk about being biased lou from ny
No, they should not. They should be eliminated from the "Broken" system. Some people talk about Washington being broken and they are right. This is just one example that the statement is true. Let the voters decide and let the fight continue. Ross Perot said in 1992 if we don't fix the system it will only get worse and he was correct. Put all new people in the Senate and House and we still have a broken government. Actually, if the Super Delegates did not exist the fight would be over and Obama would be the nominee.
Happy Saint Patrick's DAy, Jack
Yes they should end it, provided they respect the will of the voters and go along with Senator Obama. If Democrats betray America this time, it will be unforgivable.
I do not think this selfish and spineless group of should not be voting delegates have the courage to do what is necessary. This should have been over when Senator Obama ran off a string of 11 victories. Clinton's big state argument is foolish since several of those big states are Blue anyway, the two candidates are about equal in big swing states, and Texas has been out of reach for the Dems for 3 decades.
These Superdelegates are stealing the voice of the people just like the lobbyist. We need to stop the whole lot of them.
Orlando Florida
Jack;
Your question is irrelevant and not up to the moment.
No, Jack, they shouldn't. How about voting for the candidate we want. Go back to the way it is supposed to be, popular vote. Seems to me that if we lay the choice at the feet of the superdelegates, then the actual choice is taken from us, letting the opinions of a few decide the outcome for millions. Last time I looked, that isn't what this country is supposed to be about.
I think the process should go on, but I want the super delegates to vote for the candidate who can win the big states like Ohio and Florida and PA: Hillary Clinton!
I think the super delegates should stay out of it completely. The system should be outlawed. No one should have any more than one vote, but since things are the way they are, they should vote the way the people vote. If the Democrats can`t govern any better than they organize, and run elections, then none of them are going to make anything better.
Superdelegates should have no part in choosing who will be nominee, let the voters make the decision. It's important that the superdelegates look at who the american people want as President and that is OBAMA .
The only chance HRC has of winning the nomination - and really, THE only way - is if she can persuade enough superdelegates to overturn the lead that BHO will have at the convention in votes, delegates and states won. If that is what she is intending to do, and I don't see what else she could be intending, then we need superdelegates to stand up now and tell us what they intend to do if approached by HRC with such a proposal. They need to go on the record now.
No – The people have not spoken in all States, and taking away their voice is un-American. Not to mention that after this weekend, Obama may need to buy a few more votes. He has only spent $670,000 on the superdelegates last I heard
They can't ...they should have done it 2 weeks ago... ...but now with all the negative spin that has been spun the spider is having it's way with the whole party.
If the souper delegates were to end the bloody fight, they would by necessity have to swing their weight to Obama. This is based by any count on who is ahead today. But, Hillary still would not accept that. Nor will her vanity allow her to get out voluntarily, because she actually believes the USA cannot operate without her being President. Too bad her persona is so filled with divisiveness and a party wrecking ball. We already have a president like that.
I think they should as super delegates end this democratic fighting. I think Pelosi is correct in siding with the voters. Just look at the title of your book Jack "Its Getting Ugly Out there" nuff said. We need to unite the democratic party before it does any further damage. Sadly the DNC and superdelegates have made goofs with past elections and they need to also gain back the trust of the voters as well.
Austin Texas
Obama '08
Jack,
I'am sorry if i'am being very cynical here, with a president and congress that have lied, stolen, cheated, the American people for so long it's hard for me to get excited about any of these candidates. I feel with any of them, it will just be business as usual. In my opion it won't matter who has the most votes at the end, the superdelegates will decide who will be president. In some private room where they can decide who will do the most for them, or how it will benifit them the most. Our country has to act quickly, and get on the right path or we our doomed.
Jack, if Hillary's pastor had made racial/anti-american statements over the time she had been a member of the church, all 3 of your questions would have been about that today. But no, you want Obama to get the nomination so you can work on getting your true choice elected, McCain.
No the process should go on till the end. why end it before the country has finished voting.It seems the longer it goes the worst it for Obama I know Jack you hate Clinton. All your questions faver Obama let the people decide not the slanted newspeople .
Yes. That is the road it is heading & we do not see any other way out. Superdelegates should look beyond racial devide & politics and vote for the best candidate in their judgement who will do good for America & the world. We had enough of name calling started by Hillary campaign & now it has spread to Obama campaign. Run a decent campaign & accept the winner.
I think your book's title describes it best, Jack: it IS getting ugly out there. It's gone beyond control already and adding more superdelegates is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. I say just leave it be, let Hillary and Barack duke it out, and deal with this headache in April.
I believe they should. The longer this continues is sure to end of a mess for the Democrats. What's the purpose in being super if you can't exercise you power for the good of the party. This would solve several problems, not to mention Florida and Mich.
The superdelegates should not do anything until Obama withdraws his nomination. His beliefs are definitely not the beliefs of any U.S. citizen with any intentions of leading this country. Perhaps he should move to Africa where he can lead a black nation.
His close personal relationship with Jerimiah Wright has shown our country the real Barack Obama.
Barbara,
Paradise Valley, Arizone
When the smoke clears and the people have spoken.the will of the people should prevail.My grandfather called what the Hillary camp is doing "throwing rocks and hiding your hands".Enough of the subliminal messages and the dirt put out at the end of the week, Hillary you can't win so quit helping the republicans.
Absolutely not. It is silly to think that an arrangement needs be made at all when there is a clear leader of the democratic process. Any arrangement that the superdelegates or a party boss will broker is going to favor the current and likely loser, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Either they will ignore the will of the voters and place Barack Obama in the No. 2 spot or they will deny Obama his right to select a V-P of his own and force Hillary onto the ticket. This silliness of an 'arrangement' would not even be dreamt of if Hillary was leading both in delegate count and the popular vote.
Jack you say Clinton is pushing for superdelegates to decide for themselves who is the best, Do you think if she were in the lead she would still be pushing for this? I have to wonder if Superdelegates end up deciding this thing what happens to the will of the people? What was the point of us voting if at the end it was not going to count anyway. That is a lot of wasted time and wasted money, don't you think? I think at the end of it all, people will be so disillioned, it could change the way people vote forever, I mean really Jack, what would be the point?
Jack,
Yes, most definitely yes.
I have heard and read statements from media pundits an individuals that’s full of evil venom, that could cause an ethnic cleansing of the entire world. As American we’re privilege too speak freely about our social / governmental issues without the fear of retribution. However this privilege should not be abused by media pundits manipulating black and white Americans by promoting hatred, sexism, and religion. Americans need to stop this illegal discriminatory propaganda right now! The Democratic party should not have allowed this too happen period. Voters concerns pertain too real issues like, Employment, Healthcare Reform, Education, Inflation, Housing, Taxes, Veteran Civil Rights, Wars, Environmental, Immigration, Homeland Security and National Security.
Herman Smith
Kentwood, Michigan
It would be damaging to the Democratic party for its leaders to intervene the will of national convention delegates picked in primaries and caucuses. Let the candidate who emerges from the primary season with the most pledged delegates. The candidate, who emerges with the larger share of the popular votes and delegates should be the candidate to prevail. The political delegates, in most case, will not vote to overturn what's happened in the elections Tha would be extremely harmful to the Democratic party and definitively political suicide for all if them. The Government of the "absolute majority" instead of the Government "of the people" is but Government of the "strongest interests" and and if not efficiently placed in check, is the most tyrannical and oppressive form that can be devised.
...Jack, The Super delegates shouldn't have to step in. She should withdraw for the sake of the party. (I don't wanna spoil the party so I'll go) No for the sake of working famillies all across this counrty. The Republicans are so sure she can't win they are voting for her in droves. It wouldn't surprise me if John McCain himself voted for her in the Arizona primary. She is the only one who doesn't see it or just doesn't care...
Jack
The Super Duper Puper Scopers are waiting in the wings
to ruin this nomination.
By the way is that McCain and Lieberman hiding around the corner?
Wake up Democrates!
Jerry
Roselle, Ilinois
Of course they should Jack. This competition was over weeks ago. Mathematically speaking, even if you include Florida and Michigan, it is a daunting task for Hillary to overcome the 170 pledged delegate lead that Obama has. And we all know the DNC wouldn't dare over turn the pledged delegates. As the Democrats battle week after week the party is becoming more and more divided while the Republicans consolidate their vote. Its almost as if Democrats don't want to win this thing...
The superdelegates will most likely need to decide the nominee, but now is not the time for them to take action. The whole Wright issue isn't settled yet, and many people are just waiting for video evidence to surface which places Senator Obama at one of those inflammatory sermons. Personally, I think the Republicans are playing the Democrats along. They're going to wait until more people dig themselves a bigger whole to fall into before they play that video.
One of the other cable news networks (you know, the one with higher ratings), sure made a big deal of this issue over the weekend, and I wonder if they're also going to go after the so called "corrupt liberal media."
I for one am just waiting to see what happens.
I was against super delegates too, until this Pastor Wright thing came up. People seem to be way too emotional about it. Many folks, who haven't been following the race, haven't watched a single debate, are ready to choose their candidate based on a 30 second sound bite from a guy who isn't even in the race. I don't want to trust my future to these nutballs. Please, super delegates, jump in here anytime.
Fact: the longer this draws out the more divided the Democratic Party becomes. Fact: it is highly unprobably that Hillary can over turn Obama's pledged delegate lead. Fact: the DNC will not go against the pledged delegate vote. Fact: Hillary needs to let this go.
No Jack the superdelegates should stay out of deciding who is the nominee! Enough of the "smoke filled rooms" deciding who should be the Democratic nominee!
Jack: You sem to assign super powers to the suprdelegates. They are not a monolithic block. A good idea to try for an mutually agreed settlemnt but that is not possible before the end of the primarie. Superdelegates should keep quite for now.
Jack,
You talk about Hillary and Obama as if they are Michael Vick's dogs. They're plenty tough enough to take all the mud slinging. If not, then McCain will win anyway.
This whole process just makes them both stronger and meaner, which will be necessary if either of them is to take on McCain.
I say, let them fight. In the meantime, McCain has nobody to spar with. He will become soft and flabby.
That depends Jack on whose winning today! I say let them fight it out till the end and then let the superdelegates fight some more, and then lets go to court and get their $.02 and then call in Al Gore and then go to Supreme Court and then we'll know who the nominee is. The bad news is by then the general election will be over.
From an outsider's perspective, this question really sums up the mess that the democrats have put themselves in. I used to live in the USA and I am one of the biggest of this great nation. If I was an american there is no doubt I wold be a democrat, but as I watch this whole situation, I am deeply disappointed with the way things are going in the party. Maybe I'm wrong but I my view was that the whole idea of having elecions was for the people to decide who they want representing them. What he super deligates need to do is just stay out of the picture until all the primaries and caucuses are complete and then they step in to make sure that the American people ultimately get what they voted for. To the clinton camp: dont try to change the rules in the middle of the race. When this is all over, go back to the drawing board, regardless of who the eventual nominee is, and make the changes necessary to make sure this whole mess doesn't happen again. It looks bad on the party to have two camps fighting over the same rules that were agreed to before the race started. The world is watching and we expect nothing but fairness from a nation that preaches it to everyone else around the globe.
Definitely!!! That should be one of the responsibilities of the super delagates to end the fight. They should notify the two candidates that if they do not behave and get too nasty, they will vote for the other candidate, and do it. This is especially true during the debates. They should be about policy, and the differences between the democrats and the republicans.
The goal of the super delagates should be to ensure that the Democrats win the presidency. There is no reason to let the fight go to the convention.
I personally think Senator Clinton has crossed that threshold.
John T from Maplewood
Yes, the fight needs to end as soons as possible. Anyone can do the math and know that H. Clinton will not be able to surpass Obama, so why continue "LOSE THE ELECTION FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY"
Sure, Jack. Let the superdelegates decide. Undermine the democratic process, overturn the will of the people, create chaos unseen since 1968 and watch the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Are you kidding me? Having the superdelegates decide in any other way than respecting the pledged delegates will mean political suicide for the nominee. Right now, Obama leads Clinton when it comes to pledged delegates, number of states won and the popular vote. If that holds and the superdelegates nominate Clinton instead, blacks and others (including myself) will rightly either sit out the election or vote for McCain!
Yes, the fight needs to end as soons as possible. Anyone can do the math and know that H. Clinton will not be able to surpass Obama, so why continue "LOSE THE ELECTION FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY" because that is what is quitely happening.
Unless Obama and Clinton enter a steel cage fight to the death, how else is this thing going to end? Personally, I prefer the death match.
It should be brought to an end. Whoever loses is still going to be a major political player after the primaries end. It'd be better to have either of them start a general campaign than to divide the democrats and risk political burnout.
No Jack, The Superdelegates should keep their mouths shut altogether until after the primaries and caucuses have all been held and the Florida and Michigan debacle has been settled. Then when we go to convention, if no one has the preemptive nomination, they should have their say. They should follow the wishes of the voters and the nomination should go to the candidate that the people have shown is their choice. This is America. We are suppose to be a democracy. I see nothing democratic about the way this whole nomination process has been held so far. The two parties do not do not have to follow the same rules. The distribution of delegates is a joke. I am disgusted.
The Superdelegates are all so wishy-washy! They want us to make up their minds for them, when they should have all cast their votes before the first primary based on their supposed inside knowledge and personal working experience with the candidates.
Honestly, Jack, the superdelegates have had more access than any member of the voting public to have vetted both Obama and Clinton and should know by now who these candidates really are ( and if they don't they should turn in their tiaras)!
Even Nancy Pelosi is feigning neutrality (and not very well), so give it up sister and grow backbone–maybe the rest of the uncommitted supersheep will follow.
In case you were absent that day Nan–Obama is hardly electable any more against an American POW war hero no matter what the numbers say (that were incidently accrued prior to this string of outrageous Obama boneheaded judgement calls).
If only the media hadn't fallen head over heels in love they might have vetted/outed all this ugliness and saved us a lot of grief. Seems to me they hated Hillary so much they thought anyone else would be better–WRONG–at least we know Hillary isn't a hate-mongering racist, anti-semite who speaks desgracefully about her country–I'll wager she doesn't hang out, do business with or is inspired by people who are either!
The constant pick pick whine whine whine sue sue bicker bicker bicker braggadocio hubris attack attack parry thrust thrust disclaim decry denounce repudiate misdirection has to stop now.
If it takes the House of Lords to pick these two fighting dogs up by the scruffs of their necks and physically separate them, then let it happen. I, for one, am not enjoying this fight-to-the-death and I, for one, do not approve of the Vick philosophy.
NO NO NO NO –
Let the voters have their voice.
a) There is plenty of time between June and the Convention
b) McCain is fighting to get the spotlight away from the democrats.
c) The super delegates do not have to follow the will of the voter – they can exercise their own judgement. But why not wait until the voter has spoken?
d) Obama is finally being tested – lets see how he stands up now. It will be a lot nastier once the general election campaign has started.
Jack, the democratic candidtate, with the most delegates, and the popular vote should receive their party's nomination. If superdelegates over rule the will, of the people, there will be hell to pay, at their convention. Perhaps the Dems should learn from the Republicans and eliminate the superdelegates. We don't need them and most voters don't trust them.
Yes, the fighting needs to end as soons as possible. Anyone can do the math and know that H. Clinton will not be able to surpass Obama, so why continue to "LOSE THE ELECTION FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY" because that is what is quitely happening. even if one or the other won the loser will carry such a following that we will not the full support to beat the Republican party which is the REAL goal.
No. Let this process work it's way thru the mess. If Michigan and Florida delegets are not seated the s- is sure to hit the fan. We can't let this election turn into a religious and race up-rising..Let Michigan re-vote June 1st and a caucus in Florida (or re-vote) on June 1st. then get on with whooping McCain..Sounds like a winner to me.
Mickie.
Naples, Fl.
With our ecomony now headed for a full blown depression (NOT a recession), somebody better step in and end the dems' nonsense.
I honestly don't think this country could survive another 4 years of Dubya's failed economic policies with McBush.
The thought is really scary now.... UGGHHHHH!!!
Jack,
My opinion is that that the Superdelegates should step in and end this fight for the for the Democratic nomination. If they don't, these two candidates will keep tearing themselves down and apart. Come election time, there will be no Democratic candidate because they would have succeeded in eating each other up by then. The only man standing will be Sen. John McCain and the Republicans will smile their way back to the White House. Boy, are the Republicans having a visual feast watching the Democratic Party dig their own grave. I am totally appalled at this sight.
Well, Obama clearly leads Clinton amongst the delegate count. He has the popular vote and should win the nomination. The longer the Superdelegates wait to end this tussle, the more it will hurt and divide the democratic party. May I also pitch in that if the Superdelegates end up choosing Clinton over Obama, where he still has the lead in the delegate count and popular vote, let them know that they have also succeeded in pushing the hope of ever regaining the White House this time around over the cliff of ripe opportunity. To the Superdelegates, "A stitch in time saves nine."
Carpe Diem!
OGB
Yes, and why wait ? They must step up NOW! It is obvious that Clintons cannot cath up with Obama and never will... He has 200 more delegates and this race is not close! Those superdelegates who still rely on Clintons to win... work for McCain.
Max, New York
Isn't the point of the superdelegates to end bloody battles, especially ones that are essentially over like this one?
I originally supported John Edwards, then after he left the race, I threw my support behind Hillary Clinton but I was intending to vote for Barak Obama if he won the primary. After hearing his Minister's sermons and his true feelings about our country, I cannot believe Obama did not know about his inflammatory remarks. He has attended this church for what 17 years. He has called the Minister his mentor, and had him as an advisor on his campaign. Michelle Obama's remark that this was the first time she had been proud of her country has new meaning for me now.
I will not pull the lever for McCain, not for 4 more years of Bush, but if Obama wins the Democratic nomination, it will be the first time in 35 years that I will not vote in the Presidential election,
Jack,
If after 15 months of campaigning, 20 debates, and numerous conversations about policy initiatives, and you still can't make up your mind as a superdelegate, you should relinquish your role and sit on the sideline. This election has turned into media circus and these "party elders" are idly standing by as two of these historic candidates tear each other to shreds with sexist and racist undertones. It doesn't take Albert Einstein to figure out who won the delegate count in this nominaiton process and the superdelegates should simply end it and allow us to begin focusing our attention on McBush beause we will need all our energy and time to take down the media darling.
Jack
I feel the supers should vote now as its what is best for the party as we could all start focusing on Nov. I think some do not becuse they like being courted by the candidates and the media. There has been a clear front runner for months now, it would also serve to defuse the two states not playing by the rules.
Hillary is at the point of building up Republicans to try and trash Obama. Hillary put it "Only me and John have experience" and then she goes on to say Obamas life worth is equal to a speech?
In my view,Hillary now says vote for me or for Republicans. Time to end this befor it gets any more pro Republican and anti Obama. I believe Hillary would rather see Obama get trashed by Her, George Bush,Dick Chaney, John MC Cain, and Bill Clinton, becuse that is exacly whats happening.
As far as this white boy is concerned the Clinton's have become the Republicans they rubbed elbows at the dinner table with them for 20 years.We need new blood in Washington, not you know the same Ole same old thing!
Hillary would rather divide the party then do what's right for the PARTY!
If the situation was reversed, and Obama was behind by 170 delegates, would we even be having this discussion?
The democratic process should play out, and then the Superdelegates can step it at the convention and casts their own votes. After though, they should really reconsider the use of the Superdelegates. It's a shame to think that my vote would be any less counted for than someone with a title attached to it. Their votes should mean no more than the rest of the American public.
Jack,
Let's let the voters in the other states exercise their right to vote and then end this ASAP thereafter.
PLEASE DO!!! They need to side with the people of their state, and that is that.
GEEZE!
Obama and Clinton are pure blooded democrats. The super delegates, the way I understand it, was put in to keep a person who did not fit the party's criteri of being a democrat. That isn't the case in this situation. Whoever has the most delicate should get the nomination. If they don't they might destroy their chances of having a democrat for president. After suffering eight years of George Bush as our president this should be the best chance since the great depression when Roosevelt became president, for the democrats to win. But it always amazes me that they seem to find a way of shooting themselves in the foot.
My question to you is "Why do they have the superdelegates? There was a reason and now they need to use them the way they were meant to be used..at the convention.
I think there should be a cut-off date in which the superdelegates can back a candidate. Knowing that Obama has a fairly good lead in front of Clinton, wouldn't it be best for the party to back the leader? If there was a date in place in which they had to support someone, than this shameless "anything to win" Clinton campaign may get a better understanding that they can't win. We already say what happens when you major in miracles, it doesn't quite add up. A cut-off date even as late as May or June would help from keeping this mess from getting to August with only 3 months left to campaign.
I would love to say that the Supers should step in and end the primary process to end the bleeding, but that would easy for me to say because South Carolina has already had its primaries and I've had my say. I think that given the record turn-outs and closeness of the race, the remaining states should have their primaries without being rendered moot by interference of the Supers. This would also help the Dems in November by having voters in those states be more engaged in the process and get a taste of the excitement the other states have had. Where I think the Supers can do some good is to step in and end the nastiness and divisive nature of the campaigns of late. That helps no one.
What's the rush? We're just now digesting the story on Obama's minister. What other interesting and revealing tidbits may be out there? You guys in the media seem remarkably uncurious about what really makes these two click.
Jack,
In a way I think they should, because all of this competition is tearing the party apart. But at the same time isn't it more fair for everyone to allow the whole country to be heard before declaring a winner? This whole process is a sham though. If they still count the popular vote then why not use it and screw the delegates, the super-delegates and the electoral college while were at it. But it fit's Washinton to take something so simple and make it impossibly complicated.
Well Jack, I've been waiting all weekend to see what your question would be about. My suspicions were right! Not one word from you about Jeremiah Wright!
Why don't you ask the viewers what they should make of Obama calling Wright his "mentor" at one point, then describing him like "an old uncle" that you smile and nod at. Which is it? Can't have it both ways! But I'm sure you won't bring it up. So much for fair play.
Jack,
I think the superdelegates should step in, but not to subvert the primary process. We should hear from all eligible states in this historic contest. The superdelegates should use their influence to impress upon the candidates that any further bad behavior during the campaign will work against them come decision time, which in my opinion should be after the primaries are over but before the convention.
Yes; it's over – Hillary Clinton can't win; she should be shown the door and take her dirty campaigning and strident airs with her. She's in the way now.
Faster then a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locamotive, Able to leap tall buldings in a single bound. And as spineless as a slug. It's Superdelegate. Really...what else do they need to know to finally make a decision?
The DNC should change how they give the delegates to winner take all. If you win the state you win the delegates. I understand the reasoning behind the splitting of delagates as more the will of the people, but in the end....well you see what is going on.
It would be political suicide for the "Supes" to overturn the will of the voters! If they did that: Hello President McCain!
Jack I think the Super Delegates need to step in Immediately and tell Obama to Drop out of the race as his racist "uncle" minister and radical friends do not belong in our white house and he is hurting the democratic party like none other.
Yes, they should to prevent the meltdown of the party. This win at all cost attitude is destructive and will cost the democrats the White House. The superdelegates are "supposed" to do what's best for the party and unless Clinton is allowed to steal the nomination (which would really do the party in) Obama has the necessary votes to be the nominee. Why allow them to continue to throw the kitchen sink, which has morphed into the toilet, at Obama and further alienate voters in November. Get a backbone and end these mess.
P. Duncan
Traverse City, MI
The superdelegates should only have a say at the convention and not until then.
Let's give this nomination to Hillary ASAP. Then by the convention the talk about the Clinton getting in through the back door will be over and we can get back to politics as usual. (Working for special interests). Also, we can start rebuilding the confidence of minorities after they get screwed.
Do we change the rules in the middle of a football game? How about in the middle of a criminal trial? Of course not. The only way to end the whole "super delegates will decide" argument is to make the supers choose concretely, meaning no more flip-flopping, before the next contest in PA. For those in the game that are now crying about the way things are turning out I say just this..."if you didn't like the rules then you should have found a different game." I'm sure that since the super delegates are all insiders they can come to a decision on who to support without the need of further information.
NO!! That is why this is called the Primary – to elect the best qualified nominee for the Democratic Party. After all the states and all the people have voted – count them up – What's the Hurry?????
Seems like every day we have some major new problem with each of them – this could solve the problem without the superdelegates.
The media needs to just report the facts – and – keep their personal opinions to themselves!
No. I think this is great politics. It only strengthens the Democratic Party. Not only that, but the superdelegates do not have the power to end this. Even if every superdelegate switched to Barack's side, he would only have 1,855 delegates. This needs to continue, especially for people like me (from PA) who just came bak to the Democratic Party after having been an Independent for years. This country needs Hillary, and cannot rest on the political immaturity of Obama.
If the super delegates jump in before the primary process plays out, I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.
If the Dems want ANY chance in November, yes, they need to step in by the end of the month. The bleeding won't end until they exercise some leadership.
The short answer, yes. While Obama is ahead in pledged delegates he hasn't won democratic strongholds that are required in the general. With the DNC's rules having already stripped two states of their votes they cannot now attempt to be part of those same states' voting solution. This is why the super-delegate was created. The vote of all votes.
I don't see how the super delegates can end the fight before the convention, unless one of the candidates drops out. For instance, even if Obama reached the magic number before the convention with a combination of pledged and super delegates, Hillary would have to concede – something I don't think she will do unless some sort of deal is struck. It's going to be an interesting summer!
Forcing someone who is undecided, even a Superdelegate, to cast their vote early is never a very good idea. Not sure what would happen to our democratic process if that kind of thing were to occur.
Yes, Yes, Yes, the continued contest between those two is seriously damaging them in every conceivable way and is making the choice of McCain more palatable. And no matter how much the democrats try to heal these wounds later, the damage may still be insormountable. For every American Like me who believe that change is necessary , ending the primary today cannot come earlier.
Super delegates should step in and nominate someone other than Obama or Hillary. Neither one has a chance in hell of becoming president. Supporters on both side will be in an uproar; but this is about a democrat becoming president – not a personality contest.
My first choice is Gore, but others candidates like Biden or Dodd could win the presidency.
Sarah, San Francisco CA
Jack,
Absolutly not, the Superdelegates should wait until the will of all voters across the country, including Florida amd Michigan, are in before they prematurely pick a winner. Because in politics anything can happen to effect the out come of a race... Let's enjoy it...
C.I., New York
Jack, The Superdelegates should sit back and think who is best for the party. Obama is running on Judgment, Unite, Inspiration, Hope and so on..the judgment he made for 20 yrs. and the inspiration that he got from his ' Preacher ' should speak for it self "The Audacity Of HYPE!" Obama said "WORDS COUNT"! I know he didn't say that or he didn't even hear it. ok. now he's try to ride me like the preacher said Bill was...Superdelegates are soposse to vote on their best Judgment.
Jack
A senior democrat in the party some one like Al gore should step in and help them settle there differences this is the only the democrats can come out on top and win the november general election. If not Hillary and Barack should both QUIT and just give it to Mccain!!!!!
Yes, the superdelegates should solve this at the convention. Let it play out. It's about time the rest of the states get to participate in the primary season. Time shows what or who a person is about...look at what we have found out about Obama and his church in this late part of the game. We've come this far – let it play out!
Absolutely! Many of them are elected officials and understand coattails. They need to end this campaign ASAP along with Sen. Clinton's palate of divisive strategies in her desparate attempt to win the nomination. Her actions and demeanor the past month or so are certainly not befitting the Presidency. Her campiagn represents the past and the style of doing things most Americans want ended. Sen. Obama will have much longer coattails to gain valuable seats in Congress and will be a stronger candidate versus Sen. McCain.
Dennis,
Phoenix, AZ
I have given up hope for a Democrat being elected. Hillary has already endorsed McCain by saying he has met the test for Commander and Chief. She has given the Republicans exactly what they need to come after Obama and before it is over she will have given them more.
McCain is in Iraq and traveling Europe looking very Presidential, getting rested, uniting his base and raising money. If we are talking who is the most vetted that probably goes to McCain thanks to his run against Bush. McCain may not be the ideal choice for many Republicans but if Hillary is the nominee but one thing is sure, Republicans hate Clinton more than the dislike McCain. I don't think the kitchen sink approach is going to work on a War Hero. Clinton has also demonstrated that she cannot run a campaign based on issues only that she need to resort to gutter attacks and new definitions of more words than just the word "IS" from her husband.
It doesn't look real good and the longer it goes on the worse it is going to get. I'm afraid we have blown it. Thanks Hillary, great job and all because you met a real challenge.
Yes. It is obvious even to the most partisan of observers that barring some sort of miracle Hillary Clinton will not catch up to Barack Obama in pledged delegates (and even according to Nancy Pelosi that's the name of the game). The "Supers" should quickly side with Obama now. He's going to win anyway, dragging this process out just gives Hillary more time to side with Republicans in their attempts to make Obama unelectable. Carrying this process on only helps the Republicans, tarnishes Hillary's career and Bill's legacy, and destroys the Democratic Party's chances of victory in November. It doesn't require a rocket scientists to figure this out.
Clinton and Obama both signed pledges disregarding the voters of florida and michigan. Now they want me to believe they have the judgement to lead . I don't think so!
Jack,
They should stop this without a doubt. If this continues, it will ruin the democratic party. when a nominee is finally annouced, Mc Cain will have all his homework done for him.
McCain's cheat sheet: Hillary's doesn't have all the experience as stated, refuses to release tax return and other finanicial information and stated he was a good candidate.... Now Obama.... He doesn't have experience, he associated with Rev Wright, all he does is give speeches...
So far McCain has a nice litte cheat sheet....
Lets end this thing and unite if the Democratic hope to have any chance of winning the election.
Jack,I thought we were on vacation. what the heck!!!!!!!!!!!!
The super delegates have 3 choices as it's quite clear Hillary Clinton will not pass Barack Obama in pledged delegates even with Michigan and Florida being redone.
1) End this now, siding with Barack Obama as he'll clearly have the highest pledged delegates even at the end of this. As Team Clinton said after Iowa "It's all about delegates". Democrats would most likely win the Presidency if this happens now.
2) End this now, siding with Hillary Clinton if that's what they intended to do anyway by her "win at all costs" strategy. Forget about Hillary winning in November, Obama supporters would stay home or vote for Nader or McCain in protest.
3) Let this run all the way to the convention. Either decision they make then would be pointless. Clinton would have destroyed both candidates so severely that neither could win.
Since it doesn't seem as if #1 will happen, say hello to President John McSame. Fitting name too, since the Democrats seem to being doing the same every year killing their chances of winning.
Brian, Cincinnati Ohio
Yes. They should back Obama because mathematically Hillary cannot beat him, and she is disrupting the party by trying to steal the election. Her argument that she won larger and "more important" states is not valid for 2 reasons: 1.) He can win over her supporters simply because he is a Democrat , but she cannot win over his supporters (particularly independents.) 2.) It's a disgrace and embarassment to the party that this woman blatantly and openly states that some peoples' votes do not count. They party should act now to get her out of this race.
Jack,
For the sake of argument, lets says all the super delegates voted today based on the national popular vote. Would that give the nomination to Obama? Or should the super delegates vote be based on the states popular vote. All the super delegates from Mass, Calif, Texas, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Tenn, Okla and any other states that Hillary won, should vote for Clinton. Right? Who would have more delegates then? The Democratic party have dug themselves deep in a hole with this whole super delegate mess and it is going to come crashing down on them. From reading all the blogs Obama supporters aren't going to vote for Hillary and most Hillary voters I know aren't going to vote for Obama, so it really isn't going to make much difference which one gets the nomination, McCain is going to win in November.
What? and spoil all the fun!
Sure, why not? I mean its not like the rest of the primary process is any more democratic. Sure people vote, but really it means nothing anyway when each state goes at a different time and momentum and popularity at the time of a primary/caucus mean more than the issues or the candidate's qualifications. Not to mention rules that disenfranchise states due to when they hold their primaries. You are of the opinion that they knew the rules and therefore should accept their penalties, but the voters had no say in those choices, again how undemocratic can you get? Seriously, let the superdelegates decide, the process isn't democratic anyway. Btw, here in Canada we ended staggered election dates around the same time we insitituted the secret ballot, just to give you an idea of how archaic a practice it is anyway. So really here is my point, the nomination process is an internal party matter regardless, so it need not be democratic, but just don't pretend it is when it really isn't.
Thanks,
Chad
If we Democrats lose this election we have no one to blame but ourselfs. However we can place some of the blame on our party leaders, in particular Howard Dean. He does not have the leadership skills to bring this to a positive conclusion. Boy ... the voters were right the last time about Dean. And what about this primary set up? If we had a winner take all primaries we would not be in this spot now.
Jack
I thnk most are just becoming overwhelmed by the bickering, swiftboating,backbiting and are just bracing themselves for the next onslought of hatred and lies or whatever dirt can be stirred up. I was completely against a Dynasty to go on in this country, but at this point it is obvious that she will stop at nothing. Just hand it over to her,,,she'll win by hook or crook anyway and at least the Party can salvage what little respect it has left.
Carol from A.A .michigan
Since Hillary will never stop and she will cheat, steal, and scheme to get the nomination, I think it will come down to the superdelegates. The pledged delegate leader, popular vote leader, and more states won should be the nomination and that would be Obama right now.
No.
In fact; I hope it goes all the way to Denver! May be by that time; Obama will have been vetted-–Rezko; Wright;and the Chicago Daley Machine!
Florida should be counted as is. The dems had no recourse but to follow Florida's election schedule pushed through by the GOP dominated legislature.neither the DEMS nor the voters were at fault.count the 1.7 millions votes or stop whinning if the election is decided by the superdelagates.Obama and Clinton cannot win this election any other way.
The primary process is broken & must be simplified after 2008. For now we must plow through an antiquated set of rules. Ironic that we have an exciting race & logic says that candidate with most elected delegates should get the nomination. If it comes to super delegates in CO then they best reflect the will of the people...Otherwise as John Lennon said, "You say you want a revolution...."
On the other hand, Gore Vidal said something like, "The American people have a memory that goes back to Monday..."
If democracy prevails & candidate with most elected delegates get nomination then we are in good form....If we have a 'smoke filled room' deal then this will not bode well for anybody except RNC & the overseas viewers...We are so often content for their comedy shows!
Jack, I know that I am sounding like a broken record . I know that you have heard this opinion a million times. My guestion is this , how smart is it for the super delegates to decide against the will of the people. This is my opinion regardless of who is the front-runner at the time the decision is made. Right now Obama is leading in pledged delegates, popular votes and number of states won, If the decision was made today, Barack Obama should be the nominee.
Jack:
The superdelegates should keep their powder dry. Billary will be out of the race before the convention in Denver. That whole "big state strategy" isn't going to pan out the way they expect it to. As much as Billary thinks it's not the case, the party leaders will put the pressure on them to bow out gracefully in the face of insurmountable odds. I like Hillary as Senate Majority Leader. With Pelosi as House Speaker and Kathleen Sebelius (KS) as VEEP, women will control three of the top four spots in America's government.
Yes. The Clintons need to accept defeat rather than continue to impose Hillary Clinton's candidacy on the public when it is clear she will not win enough committed delegates from the primaries and caucuses. The superdelegates would actually serve a useful and practical purpose if they would put an end to this infighting. Whatever happened to the notion of doing what is in the best interest of the Democratic party?
I don't think there is any hope of ending the bloody mess. They vote one way and it will be wrong go the other and it will be wrong. I don't like the process of how we vote. Let's just put everyone's name on the ballot and come Nov whoever has the most votes wins he/she or the family dog.
Yes! This has to stop. It's time to move on and unite the party for November. Obama needs the time to build the supports in each community to ensure that much needed change does happen, one community at a time. Hillary is a needed and valued member of the political team needed to ensure real change! Stop the fighting and start the building of a new America.
Superdelegates deciding the whole thing *very* early would disenfranchise the democratic primary voters in various states, which is surely a bad thing.
However superdelegates saying "We will go with the majority of elected delegates". Is *not* a bad thing. This means that the winner could be chosen somewhat before the very last states will vote, once there is no longer any mathematical way that the loser can catch up in elected delegates.
The problem with this plan is that if these Florida and Michigan had their full number of delegates they could swing the result by 367 delegates, probably enough to change the end result!
So – The most important thing for the democrats is to find a solution for the Florida / Michigan issue. They may then be in a position to declare a winner once enough states have voted.
. . . .Let's not delay the inevitable. Senator Obama has picked up at least 7 more superdelegates since the Rev. Wright propaganda broadcasts. The superdelegates wish to finally free Senator Obama
from the Clinton destruction machine, which has frankly resorted to
downright human debasement, and salvage anything left of the dignity of the democratic party.
YES WE CAN!!!!!!!
The situation has been so volatile this past week that I am glad the election process is continuing. After Jeremiah Wright's comments were distributed, I am afraid other "hidden" concerns will come to light. This way, less and less can be "discovered" and reported by Republicans. Besides, I am in Kentucky and I want my voice to be heard.
Therse are the same people peddeling the same problems and quite literally they all need to just go away. I'm sick and tired of a bunch of over grown pompus babies making bad decisions that affect my life. This is not the government that I want working for me or on behalf of me. The most patriotic thing that any of these so called leaderes could do is resighn. All they do is constatntly add to the problems we all ready have. When is someone going to start talking solutions?
Jack, do you believe in Democracy? If so, let me process run! Chances are McCain is the best candidate if the Clinton's don't go to the white house. Its 3 am and nobody is answering the call; we are busy practicing democracy!
Obama accrued so much of the popular vote before we even knew what he was really like! We will need the superdelegates to take into consideration the terrible revelations of this man of "judgement" (Rev. Wright, Rezko, NAFTA, earmarks for his wife's hospital, to name just a few). I hope and pray that Hillary will have enough pledged delegates to get the nomination, but if she doesn't, the superdelegates will need to ensure that we don't give the nomination to Obama. No way can he win against the patriotism of John McCain.
Not at all. Obama has too many skeletons in his closet and with time they are coming out. It would be a mistake right now to choose him as the candidate. We need to see what will happen with Rezko and other happenings coming to light.
Obama, 08
By the time the next primary gets here, they may not have to!
I am a little taken back that the Clinton campaign didnt bring up Rev. Wright before now.... hmm ..an admirable restraint.
The Obama ship is about to sink! Man the lifeboats!
Women and children 1st! Hillary survives!
I think Steve has it right. After June 4th. Whoever has the most pledged delegates should be declared the winner. If they declare a nominee now, you cut out the states yet to vote, so it's a win for the democratic process to have everyone vote count, and if you declare a winner immediately after 6/4, based on pledged delegates, they you cutoff all the insider agruments that will make the Democratic Party look 'out of control' and give the Republicans a decided advantage in November
You hit the nail on the head Jack. This is conventional Wisdom. They should avert a foreseeable eruption, which will just benefit the Republicans. Look like they are taking it with "A GRAIN OF SALT", Hillary's Prescription
No, this campaign should run the course. My question is why is the media not asking Obama why he remained a devoted 20 year member of a church whose pastor supports Farrakhan and preaches racial divisiveness. Is anyone naive enough to believe that this just started in the last 90 days? Either Obama secretly shares his views or he was too spineless to go to another church but someone should ask why he is only disavowing such rhetoric only when it becomes politically correct for him.
We the people, would like HRC to concede the race, frankly I am getting tired of all the coverage on Obama, and Clinton.
Jack I am 21 years of age and I have vote for the first time in my life in Virginia's primary. The superdelegates should end this race right now because if they don't end it right now it is going to draw some of the people that voted because they felt this year they had a voice to stop voted. Its obvious that the voters want Obama the Clinton's need to step out of the race and respectly endorse Sen. Obama because they are hurting the race she knows she can't win that's why she is staying in the race because she figures if she can't be the Democratic nominee then she doesn't want to give no one else the chance of winning
I think the super delegates need to wait and see. Now that so many of the primaries are over, we're starting to find out things about The candidates that we didn't know when we voted. We may need the super delegate to make sure we have the right candidate to win in November.
Jack, Should they step in now? No as I think they should wait just a little while longer to see how this all plays out but they certainly should step in before the convention or else it could be devastating to the Democratic Party if this thing drags on all the way to the convention. Not to mention it could also hurt our chances of winning back the White House the longer we go without a resolution to this. At the end of the day, you have 2 excellent candidates running but if the American People are voting for Barack Obama which they appear to be more often than not right now, then the Superdelegates can't go against that. Just can't happen either way.
Nope, let the people decide and go from there, that is the whole point behind this proccess. If they do step in and give the nomination to Hillary and barack still leading in all categories like he is now- if they think florida and michigan are a proble imagine 30 plus states all at one time for feeling "disenfranchised" as the clinton campain likes to put it
Jack – wrong word – the superdelegates should step "out" and not vote at all. Let the voters decide the all of the delegates. Some democracy they want to us to have.
While I don't like the negative tone the campaign has taken, and I am concerned it will only help the republicans come the general election, I also don't think the super delegates should step in and end it. To do that would be to tell the voters in the states who have not yet held their primaries or caucuses that their votes are unimportant. We are already hearing insulting talk like that from the Clinton campaign (i.e.only if you win votes from x,y, and z states can you win the election), I don't want to see the DNC follow that faulty and undemocratic logic.
First, I'd like to point out that people should really take a second to read their own posts before submitting them. I find it difficult, as I'm sure other folks do, to read a post with dozens of incorrectly spelled words, bad punctuation and a lack of grammar. I'd cite examples, but there are too many. How is anyone supposed to take a comment seriously if it's incomprehensible?
Second, the fact that Barack Obama's minister made a comment or comments does not mean that Obama believes these things himself. I doubt that there are many of us in this country who could say that we always agree with the things stated by church authorities.
Finally, and more on topic, The super delegates are in place to vote at the convention so that there is a record of how the party power-players vote. This is like people with more stock in a company getting to weigh in with more votes. To me, this seems like a fine thing as long as the primary goes forward normally and the super delegates "weigh in". It is absurd to thing that the party elite should decide the election on their own. This would be completely contrary to the democratic process (as others have stated above).
Personally, I'm a Barack Obama supporter, and think he is earning the nomination solidly. However, if Senator Clinton wins the nomination through standard electoral processes (probably including necessary re-votes in Michigan and Florida), then I will support her as the nominee. I get the distinct impression that the super delegates don't even want to make this decision.
-Aaron, OH
The super delegates are important. The people haven't chosen a candidate because neither candidate has reached the 2025 pledged delicates needed to secure the nomination. That's because the two remain very close in the popular vote and the delegate count. Nearly half of the Democrats who voted so far in the primaries/caucuses have voted for Hillary. That's where the super delegates come in. Since the people haven't chosen a nominee yet the super delegates should vote based on who they think is best for the party. Hillary is more electable and this should be a very important factor in considering who the nominee should be.
Eric
Blakeslee,PA
If the superdelegates are truly the leaders of the Democratic Party then they should lead. They could resolve the contest for the nomination before damage to the Party is irreparable by holding their own "winner take all" caucus and deciding which candidate to support.. That candidate would obviously get a big delegate boost from the "supers" and gain the advantage in the remaining primaries. If this course were followed the Democrats would quickly have a nominee.
Why not wait for Michigan and Florida to be settled and all the primaries are over before we start making deals. Besides the only people that are in a hurry is the news media.
In my opinion, the superdelegates should take no part in selecting the nominee. We need this to be a democratic process, not a choice by the party elite. Otherwise, why even have these expensive primaries? Why not just have the party elite choose in the first place?
The Superdelegates need to do their job, which is to vote for the candidate that they see fit at the convention. Action earlier on by them or some 'super power' would take democracy out of the Primary process. Let the people speak!
Aaron B. from Arizona– No, the superdelegates should not decide this historic election. For the superdelegates to decide would totally subvert the will of those who already voted and will smell of old style politics such as who was selected President in 2000. Therefore, the upcoming states must make a clear, unified choice so we don't end up at the convention in shambles and stuck with a Senator from Arizona who already has one foot in the grave.
Yes, they need to step in and show some leadership. This constant mud slinging is hurting the party.
Jack I do not think the DNC has a choice. They can not go to the convention with this kind of conflict and at this point both candidates can't go on without the other. I think the party is too evenly split between them for any of the two to not offer the VP to the other. I don't know about sending in Howard Dean or Nancy Pelosi though. I think they are just as divisive. It would be better to send a truly impartial party to help with the negotiations.
Jack,
Why do people want the superdelegates to side with WHOEVER is ahead ? this system was set up by the party to make sure they have the strongest man or women to beat the republicans in the fall. It is actually pointless to have a them if all they have to do is side with the pledge delegates why not just lower the number needed to get the nomination. Don't cry about breaking rules if you can't follow your whole parties process. Jack, how about we let you decided the nominee ?
Don't think we can change the process midway. However – I am sure that Hillary Clinton would be glad to be the broker that you mention! She is great at changing positions and rules half way through processes.
Yes, but first Hillary should be asked to step aside of her own volition. If she refuses, then the superdelegates should end it.
The super delegates are not involved in this until it reaches the convention. By then Hillary and Bill will be long gone.
Jack-
They already are! You have 400+ supers already chiming in. Do more need to step in? Well, according to the rules, they can vote for whomever they want, when they want. Unless those rules change they should do whatever they feel is right when they're ready to make that decision.
My only hope is that voters (super and otherwise) aren't swayed on the recent smear campaigning. Example: Ferraro on Hillary; Wright on Obama.
Seriously now, asking someone to apologize for someone else's comments is really stupid. They have no control over what someone that supports the candidates (or visa versa) says, ever!!! The media is just blowing this out of proportion and unfortunately people listen to the smears and make decisions based on that. How about making a decision based on what the candidates do and say for once?
No, I think the super delegates should stay on the sidelines until all voters have their say including, Michigan and Florida. Since Obama is now showing his true colors and no longer has a chance to win the presidency he will be sinking like a rock int the upcoming states.
Hillary will end up as the nominee as it should be!
I think the superdelegates should step out, as in get rid of them all. What point is there in a system where everyone's vote is equal, if you have a group of people who are "a little more equal".
This process should end today. The longer this primary continues, the more likely the Dems will loose the general election. Everyday, we are inundated with personal attacks on both candidates. The issues are lost. Unfortunately, the only way to end this thing is for the Clintons to concede. They have no way of winning, even if hillary wins the remaining primary/caucuses unless it's done by plus 70%. Continuing only serves the Clintons, not the people who want a democrat in the white house. The longer this continues, the more hardened Clintons' supporters become and the less likely they'll support Obama.
Hillary supporters, please join us in boycotting msnbc tv & .com. It's bad enough the way they have treated her and promoted Obama (they are being referred to as the Obama network), but now you can register to vote for him on their home page! Enough is enough! Thanks
Jack, I don't think they should step in and end it right now but I think they should follow the will of the voters i.e., the person with the most delegates, and the most votes should be the winner. The Clintons should not be the decider of what prerequisite the super delegatets should use in deciding the winner for the nomination.
The truth is Hillary should drop out for the sake of the party. The fact of the matter is if this thing is undecided by the time the convention rolls around, all hell will break loose for the Dems and either way a chunk of the party will feel disenfranchised.
This 2008 !!!!! What ever happen to we the people
Superdeligates should NOT decide, especially the three you mentioned. Howard Dean want's to disenfranchise me as a Michigan voter. Al Gore, while I voted for him in 2000, now marches to his own drummer. And I lost all respect for Nancy Pelosi when she "took impeachment off the table". We, the people, should choose our candidate, and, unfortunately, we pretty much have. It's just not the same one.
Enough is enough. The Clintons want to take back the White House at ALL COSTS. Their sense of entitlement is impervious to rationality, ethics, or morality.
Yes they should. The only thing keeping Hillary's campaign alive right now is Republicans that are scared to go against Obama. They think they can beat Hillary but not Obama. With McCain gone they can use their votes to put the weaker democratic candidate up for the nomination. All the more reasons for the superdelegates to step in now and end their nonsense.
No, superdelagate already has lots of power. They should not be given any more power to halt the democratic process. I also think the votes of superdeligates should be confidential like the regular voters. It is possibly good that DNC abolish superdelegate before the next primary in 2012. Let's play by the rule in 2008 which will be fair for everyone.
Jack,
Here is an idea. Hold a Super Tuesday part III on the same day PA holds its primary adding the remainder of the 10 states or so (get the DNC approval 1st so no penalty would apply) and be done with the delegates count already! Then the super delegates should make their decision to endorse the one with the most delegates or the one with the most popular votes....(First they would have to sign an affidavit stating they had no back room deals or promises from either candidates) Let the best man.. or woman WIN! We would then accomplish a few things 1) The voters in the remainder states will have the chance to exercice their right to vote and we would be done with the process in the next 5 weeks ...If we don't hurry up with this, the Clintons will come up with more twists to try to win this election and serious divide and damage the party. 2) the republicans would have to find another hobby 3) the remainder of the election season would be devoted to preparing for the general election!
No the super delagates should not get involved in the democratic process.All of you people who are down on Hillary should reevaluate why you feel this way. As far as I am concerned electing Obama would be a bigger blunder than when the country elected George Bush . Obama may have a bright future in politics but he is not ready to be president.Also he (Obama) keeps saying over and over how he didnt vote for the war in Iraq.First off he wasnt even a Sen. when the vote was cast. It's easy after the fact to say you would never have voted for the war. After all hindsight is always 20/20. At the time of the Iraq vote the republicans had made it quite clear if you did not support the resolution you were a tratior to your country.Dont blame Hillary for the mood of the country when the Iraq war vote was taken. Plus Michelle Obama works for the medical field as an administrator for a hospital. She has been working against healthcare services for years. Now she says she will help America get health care. I am not convinced. I agree with Geraldine that Obama would not be in this position if he was any other candidate. This is not racist,it is the truth.Americans have become so wishy washy and greedy. Quit thinking about yourselves and think of our country.All the media does is stir things up and sit back to watch the storm.Freedom of speech is still a constitutional right.Our fore fathers didnt mention anything about being politically correct.
FORGET THE THREE STOOGES! Cover the economy, please.
Should superdelegates step in now and settle the Democratic nomination once and for all?
Absolutely not! It's ludicrous even to raise the question. Several states haven't even voted yet, and what right do the superdelegates have to pre-empt the voters?
Despite what the pundits say, this prolonged battle for the Democratic nomination is good for the party. In state after state, Democrats are turning out in record numbers, even in places where individual voters thought they were the only Democrat in their whole neighborhood. The process is expensive, but the energy that's building up around both campaigns and for the party as a whole is priceless. Now if only we could just stop the Democratic candidates from swift-boating each other...
Jack,
For the good of the Democratic party, Clinton and Obama need to get it together and reach some sort of a consenus. The stakes are way too high for this election. The fighting is truly dividing the constituents of both candidates and cooler heads need to prevail. Perhaps, it is a good time for a neutral arbitrator, ie. Edwards or Gore, to come foward and try to help resolve the issues. It is for the good of the people because we just could not take another four years of an extension of the present administration..
The Superdelegates should back the leader in popular vote and pledged delegates. As of right now that is Senator Obama but we still have contest to go and it is within the realm of statistical probabliity that Senator Clinton can surpass him. Neither the chairman, Al Gore, Senator Pelosi or the Superdelegates should over turn the will of the people.
Senator Clinton came into this race with everything that history tells us is needed to win – name recognition and money. Senator Obama has built a campaign and following to be admired. Either candidate would be better than Senator McCain.
Jack it wouldn't matter to Hillary's camp, if Obama get more delegates, votes and super delegates, she will simply say it's a tie.
I wish the head of the Democratic party would put a phone call into Billary and tell her IT'S OVER TIME TO GO NOW, she wants to win at any cost because they told her she was on her way to a coronation and when the voters spoke, she said wait a NY minute, I was assured I would be President!
jack everyone has the right to vote and they should all be counted. if we have to do a redo of florida and michigan so be it.........this race is no different than any other race that has been run.......this is called democracy............let the people vote and let the super delegates vote the way they decide.........they were put in to play to make the final decision based on what is best for the democratic party.........if democrats are not in agreement with this then it needs be changed........
Let the system work as it's designed. The super delegates are not supposed to vote according to popular vote or number of delegates. Let them vote on the factors that are important to them, not how the media or Obama say they should. It will all work out and for the best. Interference in the process will skew the result and we'll end up with another Bush-alike (big mistake).
Mitt Romney did the math on the Republican side and determined that he could not win and suspended his campaign because he did not want to be the reason the Republican Party won't be united this year. Hillary has done the math too and she knows what every other American knows in that she can't win the nomination either. If there was any way that she could win without trying to steal the nomination, I would say stay and fight even though I support Obama. But now, it's a self seving agenda that she's trying to fill. Super Delegates should end this thing because the math is CLEAR and they know Hillary has put herself above the Party and it has to end!
Let's at least get through the primaries on April 6 and see where
weare then. If Obama is still in the lead, then I think Hillary needs to sterp aside with the encouragement of the DNC and ALL the superdelegates! Get it done and move on!
Dyanne
Mundelein, IL
Yes, I think the Superdelegates should step in now as it appears they will have to do so later. Let's see if Bill and Hillary can twist their arms or demonize Barack Obama enough to win her the nomination, this way I will have enough time to change to independent and vote for four more years of Bush.
Hope-NY
It is obvious that the super delegates will be ending this battle. The real question is will they be doing with the power that was given to them or following the voted delegates lead. If they cannot make a determination to who they think will be the best president based upon many factors and only play follow the leader, then I truly think the Democratic Party needs to eliminate them entirely. It makes no sense to give a vote to someone who will be casting it based upon who others have voted. Be independent of don't be a part of the process.
Enough about the Super delegates, they will choose at the convention as they have for years as for anyone stepping in to end the voting, just watch Obama implode if he gives this speech tomorrow.. he already is not electable in the fall because of his and his church's believes.. the republicans with Carl Rove at the helm will have him for dinner go ahead and nominate him we will loose the white house and the Republicans will win.
No. That isn't democratic.
All these delusional Clinton supporters who apparently failed math keep answering "NO" to that question. The prolonged battle between these two candidates hurts the party. If Clinton was leading in popular votes, states and pledged delegates, Senator Obama would have been sent packing by now...and you know it. It's time for the Democratic Party to overcome its fear of the Clinton political machine and stand up and do what the MAJORITY of Democratic voters want.
NO WAY! I'm in Indiana and haven't even voted yet...how can there be talk of someone "settling" the campaign??? Let the voters decide!!!
Donna
Indianapolis
No they should not stop it. This is a good opportunity to witness the democratic party operate in a process they set up, without the ability to blame the results on the "other guys". I think we should see it all the way to the end. It's kind of fun to see the "Democratic Party at work".
Yes the super delegates should decide now to end the prolonged battle for the nomination. As long as it is done in integrity and not based on the manipulation that the Clinton campaign is trying to suggest.
NO. There is nothing super about super delegate.....Let the voice of democracy prevail through the citizen voting process.
The infighting in the Democratic Party is going to tear the party to shreds. McCain is looking Presidential while Democrats are fighting over race and gender. Obama represents a chance for this country to move forward with a new focus and a new approach to any and all of the issues. Hillary brings too much old politics with her and is way too brash to handle all of the issues to come. Bill is a liability not an asset. I for one don't want them anywhere near the White House.
No the race will be between clinton and mccain.Obama and all his freinds will be out of the race.I HOPE
YES! Both Clinton and Obama are wasting their energy fighting each other, on issues that by the way they mostly agree on, while McCain, slowly but surely is already campaigning for the final race. The sooner the super delegates make a decision, the sooner Obama or Clinton can focus on the final campaign, and deal with the real issues.
Let's not give another easy pass to the republicans!
I don't think that the superdelegates should put and end to this campaign, however I do beleive that they should start showing support for the canidate that their district as voted for – rather than wait to show "support" for the canidate in the lead.
Superdelegates is whats wrong with the political process. I believe if you win the state you should win the delegates there shouldn't be no divisions and If it's truly about the popular votes "The will of the people", then why is it that the people of Florida and Michigan won't be heard...... simple it's about Agenda's and Politics not the people.
The super delegates can do whatever they want as far as the general election in November I’d Vote for Hillary Clinton if she is nominee, if not my vote will go to John McCain via Ralph Nadar. I hope these super delegates are paying attention to the fact that these engineered caucuses leave millions of voters out of the selection process. This guy Obama is as scary as Jim Jones; I will not drink the Kool-Aid
At this point, I think the super-delegates should step in if the Clinton's are not willing to drop out gracefully....The Democratic party is suffering from the distention now, it's only going to get worse as more times passes, become so divided and in a state of chaos.
The country as a whole is falling apart and going to hell in a hand basket at this point and will continue to suffer regardless of who gets elected. The Democratic party needs to just get together now, with one candidate only so the process can move on. They both are Senators and need to tend to that job as well.
I am an undecided voter, but am at the point that I don't think the country needs another term of Clinton's in the White House. Furthering this campaign is only handing it over to McCain and that too is scary!
Super delegates have a vote. That's the rule, right? No strings attached to their vote. Right? Why change the rules now? As one of the millions of women committeed to Hillary Clinton, I'm going to be damn mad if the results of this election are "fixed" behind closed doors. If that happens I will happily vote for John McCain.
Jack,
How many ways, over how many days are you going to ask the same question? We all know by now that you want more than anything for someone – anyone, to step in and give it to Obama once and for all. Why don't you just do it and get it over with so we can move on to something – anything, else!!! Give it a rest already....or are you afraid he just can't get it done, by himself, without the help of superdelegates or somebody to do it for him. God help you if he can't!
The super delegates should accede to the will of the majority of the voters. For them to intervene smells like the Supreme Court in Bush v. Palm Beach County in the 2000 election. We don't need or want big daddy coming in to decide for us.
Let the process play itself out.
No they should not voice any opinions right now. The race is still going and it seems you want to help your boy Obama, Jack. he getting into some trouble now with his reverend. It seems he did know how controversial Rve Wright if you look at the April 2007 article in the New York Times you will see he is not telling the truth.
The super delegates should have stepped in and made the decision as soon as they saw the Clintons make it a " I win or no Democrat wins" race. The door is closing fast !
Allen
Montana
No the superdelegates need to wait till the convention before they have their say. Democrats are worrying about the repercussions of going to the convention and having a "back room" decision made, but if the superdelegates or any other power steps in now it will be even worse. Voters need to be heard first and then the superdelegates. The superdelegates should then fall in line with the voters they represent.
Matt
Chapel Hill, NC
Sure. Your previous post answers the question. The race is over, Obama has won, and those whose voices are being heard loudest now are Republican mischief-makers. In early contests, Republicans were voting for the Democratic candidate of their choice; now many Rush Limbaugh gremlins are voting just to keep the bloodbath going. It's time for the superdelegates to show they're super-responsible and stop Republican ammo from committing more Democratic carnage .
NO, I don't know how you can say that Obama has the support of the people when half of his states are caucus states. A sample, of a few hundred to a few thousand, of people does not represent a state and should not sway the super delegates.
The super delegates are not puppets of the people, they are not a caucus, and they are not an electoral college...they are individual people and should be allowed to vote as they see fit.
Unequivocally NO! Jack, if government is truly FOR the people and BY the people, then let the voters decide. If Hillary was leading in popular votes that's what she'd say, "Let the people decide." But she FLIP FLOPS to whatever supports the Clinton agenda, not democracy. Enough of the political dynasty's and heavyweights usurping power. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
If the super delegates who are still undecided had any sense, they would wait until Obama gives this historic speech tomorrow, then start showering him with their vote. What a 'Rocky' moment for the Democratic party.
Yes – Obama is so far ahead, Hillary can not catch him – but she will never give up, unless forced out. And it is about time. Democrats can not win with her because many people – like myself and all my family and friends, will not vote for her, if she gets the nomenation. With her and McCain it will be : the same old – same old! We need change!
Jack. I really enjoy your segments, I think Super Delegates should step up to the plate and declare their support for the candidate who leads after the remaining primaries. It has always been "Who has the most delegates." It will be a great travesty and very divisive for the Democratic party if this rule should change in mid stream. The hilarious inference by Hilary Clinton that she should be the nominee because she won the BIG STATES only comes in to play because she is BEHIND and has NO CONCEIVABLE chance of catching up. The choice MUST be confined to "DELEGATES" as always.
Yes. There is no way Hillary can catch up to Obama. It is wasting time. The American people are watching carefully and there is no argument Hillary can make that justifies going outside the truth. The truth: Obama has won hands down more votes, more delegates. You cannot force a candidate on the American people who has not won fair and square.
Hillary is dying a slow death and if she's not careful she will take the party with her. Circumstances are lining up against her: she has less money than Obama, she doesn't have the same on the ground operation. Nancy Pelosi has all but come out for Obama in the last week by saying that pledged delegates should decide the race.
She can't win in pledged delegates and she will be lucky to get ahead in the popular vote even with a do-over in Florida and Michigan – the margins in the big states have just been too small so far.
Most importantly, if she is crowned by the super delegates alone going against the pledged delegates it will be incredibly divisive for the party and worst of all Hillary doesn't seem to care. She is happy to steal this race with super delegates whatever it does to the party and for me that means SHE SHOULDN'T WIN.
I think the superdelegates should express the will of the people. The people of America have chosen Barack Obama. He won the popular vote, delegates and more states. I think that should be a clear as mud for the Clinton's. Clintons get out of the race. I think if this issue isn't worked out before June this will be an issue for the Democratic Party. Clinton's thanks for helping John McCain.
If the dems want to have a chance in the general election, they need to stop the blood shed.
Since I’m not on Hiliary or Obama’s staff, I believe I can say that the Clintons are really monsters and would not stop short of anything to win the white house again. Should we be looking for their daughter in the next election.
At this point, I’m interested in the issues that would make America great again and might just be switching my vote to McCaine. At this time, he’s the lesser of the three evils.
The mainstream media's reporting on the state of the Democratic race has been seriously flawed. Barack Obama is ahead in the pledged delegate count, the popular vote, and the number of contests won. Clinton cannot take the lead using any of these metrics unless she wins by overwhelming margins, margins that she has not achieved in any state contest to date. It is nearly mathematically impossible for her to do so. The superdelegates should reflect the will of the voters and throw their support behind Sen. Obama as soon as possible so he can go on to campaign against McCain.
jack,
i am a 65 yr old male who has seen many campaign elections for
president.
never have i seen such enthusiam as the one we are in now.
this country has a chance to select the candidate that brings unity
to the democratic party..
i have watched all the debates– the reterect– the dirty politics– the
conservations behind closed doors and i have to tell u that something
needs to happen soon.... the democrats are dividing and only giving
the republicans as chance to stay another 4 or 8 yrs in the white house.
we just put a new gov. in new york city today..
what was his message- unite and come together as one.
what is senator barack obamas --message'
i rest my case
At the convention after the first vote only.Lets make it really fun,split the deligate from Mi &Fla 50/50 to vote after the first vote ,that would reward them for their stupidity.....
What ever happened to the person with the most votes wins? Gore lost the election to Bush even though he had the most popular votes. Let's not make that mistake again. Make every vote count.
no every americans vote should be counted not just a select few.
I believe if the Super Delegates are the deciding factor for the Democratic Nominee we will be left with a broken party. Never before have these many people been so engaged in the political process. For the first time in many of our lives we are betting on the fact that our country and our party truly wants to listen and adhere to the will of the people. We will most certainly feel betrayed if the Super Delegates are the deciders and the party will suffer now and later.
First let us do away with the myth that superdelgates are not representaive of the will of the people. Most are elected officals from their states. They are far more representative than those chosen by the caucus elections which are inherently non-democratic. The super delegates exists just for this circumstance, to ultimately make the determination of who is most likely to defeat McCain. In otherwords who will win the swing staes. Since even pledged delagates are not 100% bound, especilly those for candidates that dropped out, this should go to the convention, if not why even have a convention?
Hopefully it won't come to that, but yes they probably will need some type of action. I consider myself an Independent, so if Obama isn't the nominee, I will not vote for Hillary. Heck, I may not vote at all. We'll see who McCain pulls in as a VP.
Jack, the fact is, if Hillary was leading in popular votes like Sen. Obama, then she'd be pushing popular votes and claiming to have 28 states thus far supporting her candidacy.
Yes, they should end it and go with the pledged delegates and the will of the people as it stands now. It was anticipated the Clintons would pull out all the stops to try to win the nomination; even steal it if they could. Wake up everyone! McCain is the one who's looking presidential while the Democratic party is tearing itself apart.
Debbie
Michigan
I don't know why we need superdelegates. Why are the parties scared of an old fashioned election-popular votes and only popular votes. Alot less complicated, and alot more Fair!
Yes Jack they should step in right now,before it get's ugly.The Clinton's are desprate and will try anything including blackmail.But the superdelegates won't stop it because their scared to death of the Clinton's .
In a race this close nothing should be decided before all states have held their primaries. However bad the superdelegates may be, they shouldn't make a decision now. If someone wants to settle this now, Obama could just drop out. If not, give us more time to learn what else may be hiding under the pews.
Lana
Old Hickory, TN
Absolutely. This won't hinder the democratic process at all. If the superdelegates all make public pledges it could potentially resolve the inner-disputing within the democratic party that can only hurt us in November.
Little Rock, AR
I believe that the super delegates should decide on the best cadidate that is better equiped to be the nominee. However, I agree with the people that are wondering as to what other skeletons Obama may still have in his closet regarding his church beliefs and beliefs in his country. We must analyize why his wife is now proud to be an American, I wonder if another country gave her and her husband the opportunity to excel and get an education. I thought he was the honest one to believe, however now I question it. Westminster, Colorado
Hear my warning! If the super-delagets overturn what the popular vote has decided. – I will be coming after each elected superdelegate to get them out of office next election. The American people are tired of the games and tricks that surplant what the people has voted for. All hell will break out in the coming elections for each super- delegate.;
The last time I checked, we are still living in a democracy. Who, in the Democratic Party, decided that super delegates are wiser than the people who vote for their candidate? It is ironic that the party which carried on so much for eight years about the audacity and power grabs of this administration (even though that is true), is attempting the same thing. I understand that these wise ones have been in existence for awhile..it explains a lot of things!!!!!
Bobette Green
Gurnee, IL
Please, regard this comments. Don't ignore them.
This is my humble opinion, common sense suggests that the way this election(democrats) is going on, it will only bring more discredit to the party.
Imagine how much arguments, debates, despiteful words, one against the other, racist comments, attacks from every angle, let alone the lates comments by Ferraro and Mr. Wright.
The Republicans are winning with this destard behaviour. How can a democrat give good example to the American people to vote for them?
America hasn't fallen to that low level.
The superdelegates must put a stop immediately. Otherwise...only the future will tell you.
Yours respectfully
Absolutely not. Voters in the remaining states need to have their voices heard. The race is not at the finish line until the primary process is complete. If we do not want want the superdelegates to decide the candidate chosen at the convention why should we want them to stop the process now and disenfranchise the millions of people whose votes should decide this nomination.
I think the superdelegates should stay out now. There are still more voices to be heard from other states. The real change in leadership in our government can only occur if we elect a female. Both Florida & Michigan should also have a right to be have their votes counted. Since when did experience not count when applying for a job?
NC
I would like to comment as a devout liberal that the mess the Democrats are in is entirely their own fault. They picked as the 2 frontrunners a candidate who is extremely unlikeabe and the other who has no experience. The Democrats passed on stellar candidates like Richardson, Dodd, Biden and Kusinnich (sp.); all of whom had been working in politics for 30 years with a wealth of experience.
This election should of been a gimme for the Democrats, but know I am not so sure.
No, Jack I feel that we need to let the voters decide the nominee and everyone should have the opportunity to vote without the super delegates stepping in at this time. If this happens, voters will be outraged and a lot of voters would be discouraged to either not vote or vote for another candidate just to spite the Democratic party and frankly we do not need this at this time.
The whole idea of Delegates and superdelegates is appalling!
It takes the vote out of the hands of the people and puts it back into
the "smoke-filled backrooms" of yore. Too much "funny stuff"
goes on there.
Remember, Bush was not ELECTED – but SELECTED
in 2000 by a closed door session of the Supreme Court. They didn't
even bother to finish counting the votes! APPALLING!
It's a slap in the face! We the people are treated like imbeciles!
Jack.
About do-overs in FL and MI: The Reblicrats in FL seem to be rejecting all ideas for a do-over primary. So be it. Let the first results stand and go with the voluntary do-over in MI , where Obama's name will be on the ballot this time. I can't see that the first results in FL will do much damage to Obama's stand in delagates This way all that yaa-yaa ing in FL about how to do and who will pay for a do-over will be so much fluff that I hope gets stuck in their craws.
Hattiesburg, MS
Yes, to save the party. I believe they should vote for who ever has the most delegates, states won, and popular vote. Doing this will briong down McCain in November and finally clinch a democratic victory.
Yes!, the superdelegates should support the will of the people, or step out entirely. It is obvious that the people support Obama, even with all of the negative campaigns that Hilary is throwing at him. It is sickening to watch them, and a disgrace to the Democratic party, and the american people aren't falling for it.
The fact is, it is not a close race. Obama swept in from far behind, and the momentum is still going. Everyday his lead is growing, and the superdelegates are slowly endorsing Obama. Let's get get it over with, so Obama can concentrate on McCain. Right now, McCain is just siiting back laughing at us, and taking vacations to other countries.
I believe it would help the democratic party if super delegates told Hillary this- You and your dirty tricks have and will continue to cause harm to the party each and everyday that this fight continues.
Howard Dean and Al Gore are not leaders we have confidence in, House leader Pelosi does have real leadership.
Super delegates are being silenced by the Clinton organization,they need to say something now. Dirty tricks ( like using race card) should cease.
I believe that the VOTERS should decide who the democratic nominee should be, not SUPERDELEGATES. If these SUPERDELEGATES go against the will of the Democratic voters, it would be completely unfair and would allow Hillary to cheat the system. If Barack Obama is CHEATED out of the parties nomination, I, a registered Democrat, will switch my party affiliation to Independent and so will many of my peers.
S.R.
Atlanta, GA
NO ! the superdelegates can wait..... The Convention is the place where it all comes together. To end the campaign now is like ending the super bowl at half time ,,,,, besides now the real truth about Obama is surfacing,,,,... Obama is now fatally wounded, he needs to do the honorable thing and fall on his sword... This election is crucial, the world is watching.... America does not need to be distracted...Obama Please Please go away....
Yes Jack, they should step in an end the fight between Clinton and Obama
Your joking right? Have you seen some of the Super Delegates. they are people like Bill Clinton and a black female commentator you guys have on your show quite often who always rides the rail until a nominee is picked. She has more faces then Vincent van Gogh. The super delegates need to be abolished and until that happens I would never even consider voting Democrat. The president is suppose to be elected by the popular vote not by political favors owed by Super Delegates which is what it will come down to in the end. that is not an election that is a Cattle auction.