Weekend Soapbox
 
 

Un-Super Delegates?

Jacob Soboroff, Field Vlogger
This year, superdelegates, Democratic party leaders and elected officials with votes in the nominating process not tied to any popular voting whatsoever, have unintentionally shifted the debate about election reform from the nuts-and-bolts of our voting systems, to our party system. Even some of the higher-ups within the Democratic party, including Al Gore and at least one of those who crafted the present-day Democratic Party nominating system, are taking a second look.

In February, for Why Tuesday?, I met with political consultant Tad Devine, who describes himself as "one of the driving forces behind the modern rules and delegate system." Watch my vlog for our in-depth interview, in which I ask Devine if the system he helped create is undemocratic, and what should be done about it.

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One purpose is to allow for change at the time of the convention in the event the viability of a candidate who had already captured most delegates, would tank.

Why not extend that further in time?

Why not allow all candidates in primaries (who are willing to do so) to be listed on the ballot in the final election? The winner of the primary could have the "D" after their name.

Sent by Mike Hayes | 9:01 PM ET | 05-10-2008



   
   
   
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