Clinton Superdelegates Wavering

[AtomicKitten]

excerpt:

Several Clinton superdelegates, whose votes could help decide the nomination, said Monday that they were wavering in the face of Mr. Obama’s momentum after victories in Washington State, Nebraska, Louisiana and Maine last weekend.

Some said that they, like the hundreds of uncommitted superdelegates still at stake, might ultimately “go with the flow,” in the words of one, and support the candidate who appears to show the most strength in the primaries to come.

The Clinton team moved on Monday to shift the spotlight off the candidate’s short-term challenges and focus instead on “the long run,” in the words of her senior strategist, Mark Penn.

“She has consistently shown an electoral resiliency in difficult situations that have made her a winner,” Mr. Penn said. “Senator Obama has in fact never had a serious Republican challenger.”

Clinton advisers have said that superdelegates should support the candidate who they believe would be the best nominee and the best president, while Obama advisers have argued that superdelegates should reflect the will of the voters and also take into account who they believe would be the best nominee. Superdelegates are Democratic party leaders and elected officials, and their votes could decide the nomination if neither candidate wins enough delegates to clinch a victory after the nominating contests end.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/us/politics/12clinton.html?ei=5065&en=b91d90e079601f95&ex=1203483600&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

[SoFlaJet]

1. waiting for the Kennedy-Kerry comments in 3-2-1

at which point we will counter with the Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell conundrum

[babylonsister]

2. But...but...they're automatic! They can't waiver!

:eyes:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4552173

[AtomicKitten]

6. 1984: That ClintonCo tactic is nothing short of propaganda.

:hi:

[babylonsister]

7. Seems like they're flailing a bit to me.

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Obviously.

The superdelegates are going to go the way the people do. It's in everybody's best interest.

[itsrobert]

9. They will go to the highest bidder and the way the wind blows

They will be putting their bets on the winner. The loser won't be able to offer them high level government jobs and ambassadorships.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Yup.

That's the cynical, and probably realistic, way to look at it.

They'd rather ride the coattails of somebody with wildly popular momentum then somebody who's campaign is hemorrhaging.

[featherman]

4. There's never been any question that the SD's will support the

strongest and most viable candidate for the GE - that is their purpose - to make sure that the Party puts forward its strongest candidate

[Iwasthere]

5. That's right!

They don't have a choice. If they were to try to overturn the will of the people there would be an outcry!

[TexasObserver]

8. queue This is the End ... yes, the superdelegates aren't going to fall on their swords for her

90% of her superdelegates thought she would win. Now that they know she can't win without the superdelegates ignoring the voters in their state or district, they will not anoint her.

She's nuts if she thinks all those Democrats are going to jump on a Clinton grenade one more time.

Party elders are sick of the Clintons, and this is a good chance to see them eliminated as a major factor in the election.

[AtomicKitten]

12. this primary is one of realignment for the Democratic Party

away from the control of the DLC and I couldn't be happier about that

[HeraldSquare212]

17. You saw Pelosi's daughter's comments on another thread - Nancy must feel the same way

which basically provides some cover for members of the House of Reps who might want to change from Hillary.

[Nederland]

10. Interesting

“Senator Obama has in fact never had a serious Republican challenger.”

And I suppose Rick Lazio counts? :rofl:

[Tatiana]

15. What about the all-powerful "John Spencer?"

:rofl:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Obama's SD's will waver, too.

Forget the SD's.

The voted delegates will be respected.

I believe(best John Kerry voice) that the popular and delegate count will both be in the same camp. And that camp will prevail.

[Alexander]

14. When has Clinton had a serious Republican challenger?

Rick Lazio certainly wasn't.

John Spencer wasn't.

[HeraldSquare212]

16. When has Hillary had a serious Republican challenger?

What difficult electoral situations has she shown resilency in?