NPR: Un-Super Delegates?

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.

4:30 AM ET | 05-10-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

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

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:	» List of local stations (PDF)
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Election Bloggers

Faye Anderson

Citizen Journalist, Policy Consultant

Mindy Finn

Political Strategist

Micah Sifry

Editor of the Personal Democracy Forum

Jacob Soboroff

Citizen Journalist, Field Vlogger

WESUN Bloggers

Liane Hansen

Host, WESUN

Davar Ardalan

Supervising Senior Producer, WESUN

Jenni Bergal

Supervising Senior Editor, WESUN

Laura Krantz

Assistant Editor, WESUN

About 'Sunday Soapbox'

Are you passionate about politics? If so, Sunday Soapbox is for you. Political podcasters and bloggers Faye Anderson, Mindy Finn, Micah Sifry and Jacob Soboroff lead our Election 2008 political discussion with you on the Web. How is politics playing out where you live? What issues matter to you in your community?

To learn more about this blog, please read our show's Frequently Asked Questions and the discussion rules.

Contact Us

Please use our contact form if you have private comments or messages you'd like to share with the Sunday Soapbox team.

Share Your Story

What would it take to get your vote? Share text, audio or video.

Search 'Sunday Soapbox'

Blog Roll

Browse Topics

Services

Programs

Text-only