DNC Chair Says Superdelegates Ensure Elites Don't Have to Run 'Against Grassroots Activists'

[G_j]

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/un-democratic-party-dnc-chair-says-superdelegates-ensure-elites-dont-have-run

Critics say the unelected superdelegate system is rigged. Debbie Wasserman Schultz basically admitted this is true.

By Ben Norton / Salon
February 18, 2016

The Democratic Party’s superdelegate system has come under attack this presidential election, as critics blast it as undemocratic. There are hundreds of superdelegates, unelected party elites, who can sway the primary election, undermining the candidate democratically chosen by the party’s mass base.

Bernie Sanders won the primary election in New Hampshire by a landslide in early February, with 60 percent of votes to Hillary Clinton’s 38 percent. Sanders won every demographic group, excluding rich voters and those aged 65 and older. Yet, although Clinton drastically lost, she ended up leaving with an equal number of delegates. This is because of the superdelegate system.

-snip-

“What do you tell voters who are new to the process who say this makes them feel like it’s all rigged?” Tapper asked the DNC chair.

“Unpledged delegates exist really to make sure that party leaders and elected officials don’t have to be in a position where they are running against grassroots activists,” Wasserman Schultz calmly explained.

Tapper did not press her on her response. “I’m not sure that that answer would satisfy an anxious young voter, but let’s move on,” he said, and dropped the issue just when it was getting hot.

You can watch Wasserman Schultz’s interview below, from CNN’s YouTube channel.

[yellerpup]

1. Let's not move on...

I'd like to hear a more thorough explanation.

[Thinkingabout]

2. Yes, the DNC wants to remain in charge of the party, they have seen

What happened in the GOP and put in safety marks. In the case of Hillary and Bernie, Bernie actually had the advantage with having been in Congress much longer than Hillary and had time to cultivate good long lasting relationships with other Congressional members.