Question! Can a candidate "give away" his/her delegates if they drop out???

[Happyhippychick]

I don't understand how or why that would be allowed. Can somebody educate me on how this works?

[gateley]

1. Kick - I want to know, too. Thanks for asking this. nt

[rinsd]

2. I think one can release their delegates to vote for whomever at the convention.

Edwards was the only one to win pledged delegates other than Hillary & Obama.

He has 26.

[sandnsea]

3. They can release them

and request they vote for one candidate or another. Any delegate can actually do whatever they want, iirc.

[Stand and Fight]

4. I've been elected a delegate and that's the way it works in Nevada. n/t

[UALRBSofL]

6. Yes, that's right

They can choose either candidate.

[hisownpetard]

7. Great! Can you tell me how one gets elected as a delegate? Is it just years of hard work

for the party, or are there other criteria that are used?

Appreciate it.
Thanks.

[MaineDem]

9. Probably more than you wanted to know...

Here are the rules for Massachusetts. http://www.massdems.org/docs/DelegateSelectionPlanRevised.pdf

I suggest you call the MA Party office and get specific answers. You have to run for the positions.

I hope you go for it. It's a lot of fun.

[Stand and Fight]

12. It varies state by state...

When I lived in Oklahoma, delegates were elected at the county convention to go to state and then at state selections were made for national. In Oklahoma it involved having somewhat of a reputation for being politically active in local and national politics. (I was marketing chairman and the Chair of Clark's campaign in the county back in 2003-2004.) I made it all the way to the state convention, but could not attend national because of work...

In Nevada it is a lot more complicated. Delegates were selected at the precinct level to attend the county convention during the caucuses. Robert's Rules were used whereby nominations were made and seconded. Depending upon how many people had sided with particular candidates, the respective candidate was awarded a certain number. In my precinct there were a total of 5 delegates alloted to Hillary Clinton and 7 to Barack Obama. Since John Edwards was cast out as being non-viable, I decided to throw my support to Clinton and managed to convince some others to go with me when the Edwards group disbanded. Since none of us knew each other we were able to give speeches on why we should be selected as delegates. I knew going in that I wanted to be elected, so I worked the room a bit and talked to people. By the time the votes rolled around I was quickly nominated as a delegate, and every Clinton supporter voted for me. Since there was a limited number of people who could be selected, it was done by process of elimination. People could vote multiple times. The first vote selected the top three vote-getters. The remaining four had the chance to speak again. Then votes were taken and the top two remaining folks made it as delegates. At county it will be much the same to go on to State. I'm determined to go to the National Convention this time around.

[hisownpetard]

14. Thanks for your dedication and hard work. Appreciate it!

[BOSSHOG]

5. In Romney's case

he hasn't dropped out of the race, he has "suspended" his race, thus the delegates are still his. If he did drop out he could urge them vote for a candidate or for whomever they wanted to. He's probably holding on to the few that he has for a speaking spot at the convention.

[Happyhippychick]

8. Thanks. This leads me to my next vital question: what will happen to Giuliani's ONE delegate.

:rofl:

[hisownpetard]

11. The one delegate is going to do a write in for Bernie Kerik.

[Stand and Fight]

13. I believe that delegate has now shifted their support to McCain. n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

10. somehow I don't think so ...I believe they can release them but they can vote for their choice