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Super Delegates Super Risk
Published by Pamela Gentry on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 1:28 pm.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
Posted Feb. 11, 2008 – Sen. Barack Obama has proved his appeal across race, gender and geographical boundaries, but it won’t be enough for him to woo the popular vote if he can’t get those “super delegates” to follow.
That could be critical for him in besting his only remaining rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Right now, Clinton leads Obama in the “super delegate” category, which includes elected state officials, Democratic Party hierarchy and members of Congress.
One of the fringe benefits of being a member of Congress is being positioned as a “super delegate.”
But this raises an interesting dilemma for many African-American members of Congress who jumped on the Clinton bandwagon – before Obama became the hottest ticket since a free vacation in the Bahamas.
Among some of the most high-profile Black Clinton supporters are lawmakers like civil rights giant John Lewis, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), outspoken Los Angeles Rep. Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio.
But eight out of 10 Black folks in the recent contests have supported Obama. These voters are the same people who put these super delegate Black lawmakers in office. That means these lawmakers could find themselves jeopardizing their own re-election efforts if they make the wrong move with their “super support.”
And the troubles don’t end there.
Another backlash could come if Black folks think their presidential pick was ignored. Black folks might just opt to stay home, which would almost certainly guarantee a Republican victory.
The Clinton camp may be down, but not out. The Clintons know how to play these super delegates, and they will.
Word is Hillary and former President/husband Bill Clinton, both notable powerhouses in the Democratic Party, have started flexing their muscles to exert pressure on super delegates
This past weekend wasn’t a good one for the Clinton campaign. Obama made a clean sweep, winning all three primaries and two caucuses – from Washington state to Maine. Clinton’s closest confidante and campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, was forced to resign and Maggie Williams, an African American and longtime political ally to the Clintons, has taken over the job.
Mark my words: Hillary Clinton still has a few dirty tricks up her sleeve. Even though Obama has momentum – and will probably win Virginia, Maryland and DC – Hillary will somehow win the nomination through back room deals and superdelegates.
She’s going to use Michigan and Florida to win, even though that’s unfair.
Read my words, if Hillary wins the nomination, John McCain will be our president.
Let’s evaluate the facts. Hilliary did not do well in Southern states on Super Tuesday, she won in big states like California and NY but hell, they are blue states anyway, they would vote for a democrat if a monkey was running. Obama is the only person that can possibly make Georgia and other Southern states turn from red to blue. I know it sounds like a stretch but he is talking about real issues that are hurting southern states right now and his mission of change can lead him to being the next president.
Secondly, blacks were already offended by the comments that the Clinton’s made and if Obama has more elected delegates and still lose because of the super delegates, then these blacks will be insulted and either not vote or vote for an Independent. (Especially since Ralph Nader has already vowed to run if Hillary is the Democratic nominee.) And remember the last time Ralph Nader entered the race? He cost Al Gore to lose to George W. Bush and we had 8 years of pure hell.
If someone is reading this and can get to a super delegate or is active in the party, tell them to heed our warning. Do not rob the people!!!! If the majority votes for Obama then side with the majority, not with your friend in Congress. This race should be about the people’s choice, not about the Super delegates. As Donna Brazile stated, the super delegates are not heros, they are not here to save the day, they are here to represent the people and the people’s voice should be followed. Right now, the voice screams….OBAMA.
It absolutely baffels me as to why we as a people can’t allow ourselves to be the “Dreamers” Dr. King talked about. This is our moment in history, it is our time to honor all of those who fought and died for this opportunity. Sen. Obama deserves our support, because he has worked hard to earn it. If you wish to help him, please write Congressmen John Lewis, Charles B. Rangel, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and any other Super Delegate you know and ask them to reconsider.
why don’t super delegates vote for who they think will best lead the country? and why don’t you ask people to lobby white super delegates who support clinton to switch to obama?
HILLARY 2008
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
Curt,
It is not that we cannot allow ourselves to be dreamers but that the world is made up mostly of people who see things in black or white…or in this case optimism or realism.
Most realists listen to a speech from Obama and they can’t pick the meat out from the pretty words and eloquence which if you ask me speaks to an intelligence question but I imagine they would argue that they want someone who attacks the issues head on first because it makes their candidate seem harder or tougher on issues.
Optimists and visionaries on the other hand would find a candidate who sat around spouting off plan details and policy facts, etc. extremely boring and that the candidate obviously doesn’t speak their language and is often grouped in with old school status quo politicians.
I personally agree with you and think that a candidate should be a visionary and be able to back up those words of hope and inspiration with hard facts (even when the solution may not be easy to achieve or controversial.) If someone dictated policy and plan specifics to me at a rally I would question their ability to inspire people which is extremely important to the common woman/man but also when one is trying to get things done in a Congress composed of party members of both sides.
I hope you guys are steeling yourself for the disappointment. Superdelegates are about inside politics, which the Clintons are masters. They have already made job offers and called in favors. Hillary will be the nominee because there are backroom deals being made now to get her the nomination. If she wins Texas and Ohio, that is all they need to apply more pressure to the superdelegates. Don’t expect Congressmen John Lewis, Charles B. Rangel, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones to change their votes. The careers are more important to them, that supporting us. These same people will be in your face come general election if Hillary is nomination. I will say that she gets the nomination becuase of some backroom deal, I will consider not voting for her.
I will have to agree with Kiersten. I’m afraid if Hillary wins against Obama, McCain will be are next president. I have nothing against Hillary she’s an good canidate, but the fact of the matter is people would rather have a republican in office than Hillary running the country. In my opinion it would go back to the Clinton days again; i’m ready for a change, a new face, a whole new fresh slate. Why not have a guy that is ready for change in Washington, a guy that is for the people and ready to have diversity in the world. In my opinion if Obama wants to win this election he has to change is strategy plan instead of talking about change; he should talk about his plans for the economy, and what he plans to do to help the American people. With that being said he would get alot more votes than Hillary and maybe win the election!
RE: kris on February 11th, 2008
why don’t super delegates vote for who they think will best lead the country? and why don’t you ask people to lobby white super delegates who support clinton to switch to obama?
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Good point Kris….people let US write to EVERY “super delegate” we can! To point out only black super delegates is not the message Sen. Obama speaks about in his speeches or what we as democrats should want.
Stop polarizing the obvious, ethnicity…because if the truth be told if it’s only about etnicity…shouldn’t Sen. Obama have every vote of both white AND black??!! You know he was borne from both.
The voice that should be heard is the voice of the people, not of racism, sexism, etc.
ALTHOUGH SENATOR BARACK OBAMAN WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT PRESIDENT, REALITY DICTATES THAT INSPITE OF HIS ABUNDANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS, & COMMITMENT TO TRULY HELPING AMERICANS, MOST OF AMERIKKKA WILL NOT ELECT HIM FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED SNAKES OF AMERIKKKA, BECAUSE MOST OF AMERIKKKA HAS NOT SOCIALLY EVOLVED, PERIOD!!!!
BESIDES WHICH, THE AMERICAN PEOPLES VOTE FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN AMERIKKKA DOESNOT COUNT, BECAUSE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. THESE ARE HAND PICKED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO VOTE BASED ON THE POPULACE OR VOTERS OF THEIR STATE(IN THEORY). MY QUESTION IS IF THIS COUNTRY IS TRULY ONE MAN ONE VOTE, THEN WHY DO WE NEED A ELECTORATE, WHICH IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE AMERICAN VOTERS? SECONDLY, AFTER WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE 2000 ELECTION, WHERE GEORGE(EXAMPLE OF WHITE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION)BUSH’S FAMILY & COHORTS(SUPREME COURT)STOLE THE ELECTION, INSPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF AMERICAN VOTERS WANTED AL GORE(POPULAR VOTE). FOOD FOR THOUGHT!!!!!
They knew that, Obama will win election. this is why they increased the number of super delegate for candidate nomiation. because no too many black people in congress. Obama work hard to get popular vote, but a big problem in members of congress. I think Obama will not win, due to minority In U.S governement