by Geoffrey Bennett

Hillary Clinton and black voters
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton is greeted by supporters at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the African-American neighborhood of Compton, California in January 2008.

As the Democratic race for the White House whittles down to the whims of superdelegates, some black voters are telling those in power: if Barack Obama is denied the nomination via "back-room" dealings, there will be political hell to pay.

Color of Change — the black netroots organization, which organized mass responses to Hurricane Katrina and Jena 6 case — has launched a petition effort aimed at members of the Congressional Black Caucus. It reads:

As "superdelegates" in a close race for the Democratic nomination, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have the ability to vote for whoever they like and could undermine the will of the voting public and the voters they represent.

Though voters in most CBC districts overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama, some CBC members are threatening to vote against their constituents, and perhaps against the will of the American people, by casting their superdelegate vote for Senator Clinton. We can prevent this from happening by letting Black leadership know we're watching.

It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Call on members of the Congressional Black Caucus to cast their superdelegate vote in support of the will of voters.

What do you think of this effort? And for those of you who are Democrats, what will you do if your favored candidate doesn't get the nomination?

UPDATE: Thanks to Color of Change communications director Mervyn Marcano for the following insight: the petition the group launched today is targeted to all superdelegates; the CBC petition referenced above is now closed.

Related Link:
Will Black Voters Stay Home if Obama Loses Nomination?

Past Coverage:
Reporters' Roundtable: Jena 6 Protests