Hillary Clinton's supporters are looking for every angle they can in order to swing the super delegates her way, which is her only chance of winning the nomination. Thus unraveling a system of pledged delegates apportioned by congressional districts and super delegates, a system that is designed by one of her closest advisers, Harold Ickes.The Clinton camp has various measures; they have won the big states that are needed for the general election, seat Florida and Michigan as the vote stands now (against DNC rules), hinting Obama as her running mate and now Senator Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, a Clinton supporter now suggests count the general election electoral votes of the states she has won in the primary. They are getting pretty desperate in the closing days of this race.
Anything less than following the will of the voters will spin the Democrats out of control for years to come. The system was design and touted by Ickes as one where everyone's voice will be heard, the Democratic Party of the people, as opposed to the Republican primary winner take all style, move the losers aside in a deliberate fashion.
Obama will have the pledged delegate lead at convention time and most likely have the popular vote lead, are the Democrats willing to overturn that? If the answer is NO, then why is she still in the race. Danger Democrat must have a reasonable answer for a post.
Meanwhile, while the Democrats are battling each other, McCain has taken the lead in national polls, it is early but the Democrats are handing father time, more time to build his campaign and more battle scares for the Republicans to re-open.
How is that primary voting system working Mr. Ickes?
3 comments:
The system of superdelegates was designed after the McGovern campaign when many in our party felt a chance at actually winning had been lost because of all the attempts at creating
a representative 'sample' at the convention. You know...50% women...minority groups in their proportion to the population..age demographic equality etc. A proposition was put forth stating that 75% of the voting delegates should 'look like' the population and 25% of the delegates (or superdelegates) should express the professional partisan viewpoint of the party. Even George McGovern voted for that change in policy. Now it appears the pendulum has swung the other way and the input of the superdelegates is being disregarded.
I think it is way too early for an accomodation between Hillary and Barack. My advice would be take the primary route right through the last one (Puerto Rico) and then make some fair accomodation for Michigan and Flordia. At that point if it makes sense for the leaders to accomodate...do it.
If not take it to a brokered convention.
We democrats have a pretty good record of being able to beat each other up...get tougher in the process...then accomodate...and win.
Your post indicates you think these are the 'closing days" of the contest. I respectfully disagree. I think its just getting interesting.
Interesting that you feel that ONLY the popular vote should count during the 'primary' process (which is actually a much more complex process than you describe).
Was that your view when GW was stealing the general election? Was that a 'train wreck'?
You have "rules for 'them'" and "rules for 'us'"?
I already know that answer.
To Anon #2
Did I write some place "ONLY" the popular vote should count?
Contrary, I did not write that, it should not be the case. Delegates are the factor, although, coupled with the popular vote makes it very difficult to overturn such a scenario.
Post a Comment