Just a word of encouragement to those worried about the superdelegates.

[totodeinhere]

Since the current delegate allocation system was first used in 1984, a majority of superdelegates has always gone to the candidate who got the most delegates from the primaries and caucuses. If Bernie can win the most delegates in the primaries and caucuses the superdelegates would not dare deny him the nomination.

And remember that at this stage of the 2008 campaign Clinton had a lot of superdelegates pledged to her as well. But as Barack Obama started to win a lot of primaries and caucuses some of those previously pledged superdelegates bolted and went over to Obama.

So don't be discouraged by Hillary's assumed lead among superdleegates.

[cantbeserious]

1. Roger That

eom

[artislife]

2. If they prove to do otherwise

either for the loser whether it be H or Bernie, then there is going to be serious rethinking about what the party actually stands for.

[Phlem]

5. Strangely it is to that point.

When the chips fall it will be glaringly obvious if the game is corrupt or not. I frankly can't wait.

[Cry]

3. They will see the writing on the wall

once Bernie begins the domino effect of winning Iowa/NH, followed by South Carolina in a surprise upset. Then the endorsements will begin to pour in.

[sabrina 1]

12. I think you're right. All Bernie needs to do is to keep on building the movement he

is building so that there are so many people who are a part of it, they simply cannot ignore it anymore. And he's off to a great start.

[emsimon33]

4. Thank you for your wisdom and insights

And memory

[ibegurpard]

6. I am not worried about delegates, endorsements or polls

This far out from the first primaries and caucuses.

[Old Crow]

7. I hate to sound ominous, but...

... I'm more worried about Bernie Sanders's personal safety than about superdelegates--particularly if his poll numbers continue to climb. His agenda will upset a lot of billion-dollar apple carts. I hope he starts looking into some security measures soon, if he hasn't already.

[jkbRN]

8. I totally agree with you,

I've been thinking about that a lot lately

[totodeinhere]

16. Yes Bernie's safety should be a top priority. We can all agree on that.

Hillary Clinton has Secret Service protection due to her status as a former first lady. And she should have that protection. But now is the time to provide Bernie with Secret Service protection as well. It is time for President Obama to issue the executive order to make it happen.

[Flying Squirrel]

9. To be more specific

There are over 800 superdelegates. Hillary got fewer than 300 to commit to her in 2008, and 50 of those defected after Obama had sewed up the nomination (she released the rest later). These news reports are meant to further the inevitability idea just like in 2007-8. It didn't work then; no reason to believe it will be different this time around. The overwhelming majority of the superdelegates will not commit till Super Tuesday at the earliest (there were still 99 uncommitted after Hillary suspended her campaign in '08). Not only that, but the fact that she is resorting to the superdelegate tactic this early out smells of desperation or at least serious concern to me.

[stillwaiting]

11. Resorting to the super delegate tactic this early out is undemocratic and infuriating.

Positively undemocratic and a huge slap in the face to Democratic voters.

We have to get rid of super delegates as soon as possible. It's a huge stain on our Party.

[merrily]

10. If superdelegates are always going to follow the primary vote, why have even have them?

All the existence of the institution does is make the Party appear undemocratic.

On the other issue, I don't believe comparisons with Obama are necessarily apt. Party leaders approached him to run because they thought Hillary a weak candidate for that time and the msm treated him like a rock star phenom from the time he made his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention that nominated Kerry/Edwards. He no sooner finished the speech than media declared him Presidential timber. Also, though most of his career, even in the Illinois Senate, Obama steered clear of controversial votes, such as abortion. None of that has ever been true of Sanders. Quite the opposite, in fact. Party leaders would have preferred no challenge to Hillary, as though she were an incumbent, like Obama in 2012--and I even object to that! Also, Hillary and her people learned from the 2008 campaign.

So, while we can, if we wish, take some encouragement from the Hillary Obama race, we can do so legitimately only if we know, and remain mindful, of some huge differences between Obama's 2008 campaign vs Hillary's 2008 campaign, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, Sanders 2008 campaign vs. Hillary's 2008 campaign.

Don't ever give up, but don't ever let up, either. This one is much tougher than even Obama v. Hillary 2008.

[totodeinhere]

14. The superdelegate system grew out of the McGovern defeat in 1972. There was

a feeling among some party officials that the primary and caucus voters could not necessarily be trusted to choose the most competitive nominee, as evidenced by the McGovern nomination. The theory was that adding superdelegates could be a moderating influence on the process. But our current system was not adopted until 1982 as a reaction to the bloody primary fight between Jimmy Carter and Teddy Kennedy which many felt was at least partially responsible for Carter's loss in the general election.

[merrily]

17. Thank you. I know the history and the memes, true or false.

Last edited Tue Sep 1, 2015, 02:23 PM - Edit history (1)

However, my question was: If superdelegates are always going to follow the primary vote, why have even have them?



BTW, while the institution of super delegates was first proposed after McGovern's defeat, it was not adopted until after Mondale's defeat. After McGovern's defeat, however, the reforms McGovern had instituted to make the party more Democratic were rescinded.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778825 (This ain't 1972) (be sure to read the replies as well as the OP)


http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778872 (What about Mondale, Indeed: Candidate Reagan)


http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778873 (What about Mondale, Indeed: 1976-1980)


http://www.democraticunderground.com/12778873 (What about Mondale, Indeed: Mondale)

[totodeinhere]

18. OK, to answer your question personally I would eliminate the superdelegates

Last edited Sun Aug 30, 2015, 04:12 PM - Edit history (1)

making your question moot. But in the mean time until we can accomplish that I would advocate that they follow the results of the primaries and caucuses. Since I do not favor having superdelegates I am not obligated to try to defend them.

[merrily]

20. ? I didn't ask or expect you to defend them.

[Karma13612]

21. Great comment and very encouraging. :-)

Don't give up
Don't let up.

We CAN do this !!!

[merrily]

22. Thanks!

[TBF]

13. Agree - the party needs to realize

we want Bernie. If the primaries go to Bernie they have to go with him or risk losing our votes in the General. They know this and that is why they've been so ugly to us. They know we're right.

[RoccoR5955]

19. When Bernie wins the most primaries

And then if the DNC decides to nominate Clinton in the general. They will see a massive defeat, as millions shall stay home.

[Le Taz Hot]

15. I would love to agree but

those super delegates had no problem switching from one pro-corporate candidate to another. It didn't matter who they backed, as long as the chosen candidate played well with the right persons the .001% didn't care who was at the top of the ticket. Not so with Bernie. They have a dilemma, however, in that, if they cast their votes to the clearly unpopular candidate, they run the risk of the party losing all credibility and completely collapsing under it's own manipulative efforts. However, if they DON'T intercede, the "right" candidate could lose and they lose their gravy train, at least in the White House.

So, yes, we do have to be ready for the super delegates and the only way to do that is through OVERWHELMING turnout for Bernie to where even THEY can't manipulate the nominating process.