Clinton, Obama, and Superdelegates

On February 6, Barack Obama made the following observation:

I think those superdelegates and elected officials and party insiders would have to think long and hoard about how they approach the nomination if the people they represent have said that Obama is our guy

Let me heartily concur with the Senator's sentiments on that matter.

There certainly are a number of different count on super delegates, so let me just settle on the one that I like to watch.

According to that list, among the states that have held primaries and caucuses, Hillary Clinton currently has 134 pledged superdelegates, and Barack Obama currently has 77 pledged super delegates.  Well, enough.  (I excluded the results of New Mexico, where the race continues to be undecided.)

But when you actually count the superdelegates from the states that have made their choices, 24 of Hillary's super delegates are from states where she lost, that is, 22 percent  (n=24) of her super delegates.  Barack Obama, conversely, has 34% (n=26) of his superdelegates from states he lost.

Mr. Obama perhaps should be careful what he call for.  



Display:


Obama is trying to change the rules of the game (2.00 / 4)

The rules are the rules.  Obama needs to grow up and play by them.   He didn't complain about superdelegates and their ability to support whomever last Feb when he jumped into the race.  I don't remember him every raising the issue until now.

The rules are the rules Mr. Obama.

Note that Obama was the only candidate to break the DNC pledge not to campaign or advertise in MI or FL when he ran ads that appeared on FL tv's.


by dpANDREWS on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 04:57:40 PM EST

Obama only wants to (2.00 / 4)

change the rules that disadvantage him.  The rules that disadvantage Mrs. Clinton he finds perfectly acceptable.


Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!
by Beltway Dem on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:02:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

exactly (2.00 / 4)


Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!
by Seymour Glass on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:04:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep... (2.00 / 1)

And I'm glad that we have a few brave bloggers like Beltway Dem who aren't afraid to call Obama out on this double-standard, since we certainly can't count on Big Media to do so.


I agree with Hillary Clinton and canadian gal (!!), so I fully support Barack Obama for President! :-)
by atdleft on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:25:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary (2.00 / 3)

did not campaign in Florida.  What a tired old misstatement that is becoming.  The fact of the matter is that Barack Obama held a press conference there after he had a private fund raiser there.  (Private fund raisers were permitted under the rules.)  He also made a national purchase of ads, and his ads were screened continuously on Florida television the week before the primary.

Conversely, Mrs. Clinton held a fund raiser in Florida, but she did not hold a press conference.  She never advertised on Florida television as Mr. Obama did.  She only went to Florida after the polls closed on primary day.


Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!
by Beltway Dem on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:09:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama is trying to change the (2.00 / 4)

This is completely false and you shouldn't be making statements like this.

Hillary did not campaign in FL or MI. Obama did go up with national ads that were played in FL against the agreed rules.

All candidates were allowed and went to FL for fundraisers.

Hillary went into FL after the polls closed to thank them for their votes, which was completely by the rules. And, if we want to win the Whitehouse in November it was also smart. We need Florida's electoral votes...pure and simple.


by seattlegonz on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:09:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: oh no! she's off her meds (1.33 / 3)

Sometimes it's hard to tell who is off their meds and who is taking drugs.


Another Hillary Supporter for Obama!
by Beltway Dem on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:10:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here are the rules... (2.00 / 3)

Delegate Selection Rules for the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Regulations of the Rules & Bylaws Committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention

The Charter & Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States

Read all four of those documents and cite specific sections where Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton or her  presidential campaign have clearly violated any of the provisions contained in those papers that govern the selection of delegates and alternates to the Democratic National Convention.

Frankly, I'm getting tired of people saying that Hillary has broken the rules when they more often than not don't know what the rules say.


by andrewalker08 on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:13:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hoo boy (none / 0)

Is Obama claiming that superdelegates shouldn't be seated?  How is asking them to think "long and hard" an attempt to change the rules?  Oh I see, you're trying to create a false equivalence with the disgusting HRC bid to seat MI and FL invalid delegates.

You know that Obama bought a national ad, and that he tried to get it blacked out in FL but couldn't, right?  Also, how do you think all those Hillary signs appeared in the hands of her FL supporters at her sneaky post-election rally?  Do you not agree that passing out signs is "campaigning"?  And that it had to have started before the polls closed?  If that's the way Hillary keeps pledges, I don't want her anywhere near the Oath of Office.

In the end, FL and MI won't matter.  The credentials committee decides whether to seat the delegates, and it will be controlled by whichever member has the most delegates outside of MI and FL (including superdelegates).  In other words, they will only be seated if Hillary has already won.


by corph on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:45:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama is trying to change the rules (2.00 / 2)

That is a problem with him.  He wants two sets of rules, one for himself and one for his opponent.  This is particularly troubling when really the only claim he makes to distinguish his candidacy is that he is somehow above partisanship.  I mean, put the two together, and he is a phony.  I just can't get past that.  I don't know what I'll do in Nov. if it's him vs McC.


by PlainWords on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:59:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How sad... (none / 0)

That a few Obama supporters think the only way to get attention here is to lie and fabricate claims of "cheating". Frankly, I'm getting sick of all the duplicity. It isn't helping Obama's case here.


I agree with Hillary Clinton and canadian gal (!!), so I fully support Barack Obama for President! :-)
by atdleft on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:24:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

troll rated for spreading falsehoods (none / 0)

... knowingly


by dpANDREWS on Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:33:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton, Obama, and Superdelegates (2.00 / 5)

rssai, I am really tired of the constant lies coming from you. Hillary clinton did not campaign in Florida. Not at all. She had two private fundraisers, which she was allowed to do.

Obama ran ads in Florida as well as had an early press conference. He clearly broke the rules, she did not.

If you are talking about her victory speech, she gave that long after the Florida polls had closed and the points became moot.

As a Florida voter who voted absentee, I want my delegates seated.


by americanincanada on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:08:21 PM EST

you'd think if she's shilling for Obama (2.00 / 1)

she'd at least attempt to get her facts straight and not appear the fool...but alas


Clintonism is the kind of Government I could get used to...
by Mariel on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 05:21:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Change the ruLes?? (none / 0)

What "rules" are there that he's advocating to change? He isn't saying that the superdelegates MUST vote a certain way. It's just an argument. He said "THINK", not "MUST." Whereas Clinton, after agreeing with the DNC that delegates in MI and FL will not be seated, is now suggesting that they do a 180 and actually seat them.

You guys are hilarious.


by highgrade on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 07:03:38 PM EST

Highgrade, you should read the rules too... (none / 0)

...Particularly Article Two, Section two of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States.

The short version of it is that the Democratic National Convention is the highest authority of the Democratic Party meaning that the Democratic National Convention can overturn anything the Democratic National Committee does...including the DNC's decision to strip Florida and Michigan of their delegates.

Once again, you've got all these people talking about Hillary breaking the rules when it's clear that they haven't read page one of the rules.


by andrewalker08 on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:04:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hillary the Hypocrite? (none / 0)

While superdelegates can do whatever they please, it seems Hillary would have to do concede the nomination should Obama end up with more pledged delegates -- after all, she's on the record about the "will of the people":
"I have thought about this for a long time," Mrs. Clinton said at a rally in an airport hangar in Syracuse. "I've always thought we had outlived the need for an Electoral College, and now that I am going to the Senate, I am going to try to do what I can to make clear that the popular vote, the will of the people, should be followed." *** She said she wanted "to be on the side of the democratic process working," and so would support the effort to establish direct presidential elections. *** "I believe strongly that in a democracy we should respect the will of the people."

by Jason Guthartz on Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 12:59:57 AM EST


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