NPR: Democrats Don't Want Superdelegates to Decide Race

Democrats Don't Want Superdelegates to Decide Race

A new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows that a majority of Democrats do not want superdelegates to decide who should be the party's presidential nominee.

Fifty-five percent of those surveyed told the pollsters "it would be unfair for Hillary Rodham Clinton to win the presidential nomination through the support of 'super delegates' if she lags among the convention delegates elected in primaries and caucuses"

By 55%-37%, Democrats and independents who "lean" Democratic say an outcome in which Clinton lost among pledged delegates but prevailed with the help of super delegates would be "flawed" and unfair" -- including 77% of Obama supporters and 28% of Clinton supporters.

The poll shows that an outcome determined by superdelegates would cost them the support of independents. Almost two-thirds of those voters call that result unfair, and one-third of that sub group say that such an outcome would make them vote for Sen. John McCain or stay home in November.

1:27 PM ET | 03-18-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Well, get over it, Liberal Utopians. Cause it looks as though you can't even decide which shoelace to tie first, much less chose your presidential nominee.

You see (and obviously Liberal Utopians don't see) is that the reason you lost in 2004, and the reason you have already lost in 2008, is that you can't get along with anybody. Not even yourselves.

The Obama guy's hate filled message fits you Liberal Utopians to a T. You can't get along with liberals. You can't get along with moderates. You can't get along with conservatives. You can't get along with each other.

This makes you divided, and weak. You divide and weaken yourselves.

Those of you who think that the Obama guy's history lesson speech appeals to mainstream America, you are really delusional.

We don't want to hear this Obama guy tell us about the Revolutionary War, or the Civil War, when he can't say anything useful about the Iraq War.

Maybe after this Barack guy's useless run for the presidency is over, he can become a history teacher at the U. of Illinois Circle Campus, in downtown Chicago.

By the way, the American voters do not want to spend the next four years getting history lessons on race relations from an amateur.

And it looks more and more like that since the Liberal Utopians can't make up their minds to save their shoe laces, it's going to take the combined action of the superdelegates to pick the party's nominee.

They might just pick Al Gore by the time this whole brouhaha is over.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 2:07 PM ET | 03-18-2008

The current Democratic Party entire nomination process needs to be honored and accepted regardless of the eventual person nominated through that process by each and every Democrat and Independent wanting to elect a Democratic President. If flawed, then begin the process required to change it after this election.

Sent by Carmen Fernandez | 2:21 PM ET | 03-18-2008

The overwrought drama around a party rule that has been around for quite awhile is astounding. Rules are rules. We should follow them. Superdelegates are going to do the right thing for victory in November, as it should be. Because they are not as a mass saying they will do what each candidate wants the alarms are going off fuled by the media. Again, rules are rules and must be followed. Clinton and Obama agreed to them before they started running.
If Fl and Michigan have to do something about the primaries, let them boot the governors out. Crist did this on purpose to score politcal points for the Republicans.

Sent by Debbie Thibodeaux | 3:28 PM ET | 03-18-2008

The Democratic Party's Superdelegate system is an attack on Democracy itself. We have a very restrictive two party system. Taking away the people's right to elect candidates in the presidential primaries takes away one of the fundamental rights of Americans everywhere. We were not founded in the vain of our British friends; a House of Lords and a House of Commons is a house divided. America needs to wake up and recognize how close we are to having our democracy stolen. Obama or Clinton does not matter; just let the people's voice be heard!

Sent by Chuck Watkins | 11:33 AM ET | 03-21-2008

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