what are they considering? popular vote, delegate counts, states won, "big states" won?
the up-to-date superdelegate count is in my sidebar. the information comes from demconwatch, which has done a great job tracking.
one super started out in the clinton camp. now he's not quite so sure:
DAVID HARDT, PRESIDENT YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA: Well, I disagree a little bit. I don't like the idea that somehow the will of the people has already decided this because we know, going into the convention, that neither candidate will have won enough delegates to be victorious. So I don't buy the argument that the will of the people has decided one candidate or another. I think we're still a very divided party. And part of the process of deciding our nominee is winning superdelegates. And those of us who are superdelegates knew this. The campaigns knew this going in from day one. And that's just part of the process. It's been that way for decades. And, you know, if people don't like that part of the process, then we should change it.
But it is what it is and I think we should abide by party rules. And I don't like the idea that somehow if my state votes for one candidate or another, that I should vote for that candidate based on how my state voted.
LEMON: Have you declared who you're going to support as a superdelegate?
HARDT: Not yet. I waiver back and forth every day. You know, one day I might be for Senator Obama and ask me the next day and I might be for Senator Clinton. It's just a very tough decision.
LEMON: Yes, why is that? Explain that.
We heard John Lewis. He said it really -- I mean it tugged at his heartstrings to do it. He's friends with the Clintons, but he thinks there's a wave afoot in the country that's swinging toward Barack Obama and change, as he puts it. And he said this was, you know, harder for him than the choices he made during the civil rights movement.
So why is it so tough for you? Is it a generational thing, do you think?
HARDT: Well, yes. I mean, obviously, my generation is overwhelmingly supporting Senator Obama. However, as a longtime party activist, I really appreciate and honor everything that the Clintons have done for our country. So I'm very torn.
You know, there's very little in policy between both candidates. But, you know, it's a very tough decision and I have to weigh a lot of different factors in. And I'm also elected as president of the Young Democrats of America. And I have to look at who's going to work best with our organization going into November. So that's of course, an important factor for me, as well.
LEMON: There are people who are saying you know what, if it comes down to the superdelegates, I am going to switch sides. I am going to remove myself from this -- and making a number of other accusations that -- things that they're going to do.
What do you make of this? I mean do you think people had this in mind, especially the Hunt Commission, when they came up with this whole thing about the superdelegates back in the '80s?
HARDT: I'm not sure they had this in mind. But to be honest, you know, it is going to come down to the superdelegates. Neither candidate is going to have enough unpledged delegates to win this.
LEMON: Yes.
HARDT: So someone will have to get enough super-delegates or automatic delegates to win this race.
LEMON: Now, I'm listening. Now, here's what I'm thinking, though. If it's not the candidate, it seems like if it's not the candidate that you're in support of, then people say, you know, they're going to change parties or vote for the other candidate. So it may just be a matter of that.
HARDT: I really don't buy that argument. I've heard that from a few people. But as soon as you remind them that your choice is either Senator Clinton, Senator Obama or John McCain, the clear choice is to stick with the Democrat.
LEMON: Yes.
HARDT: We have two incredible candidates that are well qualified to be president of this country and are, by far, better candidates than John McCain.
one super has had enough:
In a stern letter to both Obama and Clinton, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), warned that in recent weeks "the long term goal of beating the Republican nominee took a back seat to the short term goal of proving one's viability by tearing down the other Democratic candidate."
“We lost sight of the general election, we lost sight of the true opponent,” he said, “and if we continue to be shortsighted, I fear we will lose in November."
DeFazio didn't exactly say that he'll endorse the first candidate who makes nice in the Democratic presidential race, but believes the two Democratic senators should focus on their Republican rival, Arizona Sen. John McCain, rather than each other.
another stripped of super status is dealing with forgoing his job, his mission and his family to be with a prostitute:
Eliot Spitzer announced that his resignation as Governor takes effect on Monday, March 17. The St. Patrick's Day Parade starts up Fifth Avenue that day, and the Governor of New York traditionally has a role at the head of the New York State Police contingent. He also has a reserved seat for the mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral beforehand. Will Spitzer be at mass or in the parade? It wasn't immediately clear, but we do know now that -- as predicted -- he will not be a superdelegate at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
here's someone who isn't but who makes some rational reasoning giving obama the edge:
2) Who has the best chance of winning? This is the most important question but also the hardest to answer. Clinton may be tough enough to withstand GOP attacks, but she's also incredibly polarizing. More than 40% say they won't vote for her no matter what. And even conservative Republicans leery of McCain despise her so much that they might turn out in droves. But even her enemies respect her intelligence and competence, and women will certainly turn out for her. Obama, on the other hand, has brought a whole new generation into the party and if he can sustain that, it would be a powerful force in November. But he hasn't yet proven his mettle -- both in the sense of being tough enough to withstand GOP attacks and in fleshing out his rhetoric with a detailed policy agenda that rivals Clinton's. If he does that by August, I'd give him the advantage, but if he can't, then this question goes to Hillary.....
So who would I vote for if I were a superdelegate? Obama has a slight edge, if the convention were held today, but there are still a lot of factors in play. That's why I'm staying uncommitted. And looking forward to getting feted in Denver.
On the Minds of Superdelegates 1
On the Minds of Superdelegates 2
On the Minds of Superdelegates 3
On the Minds of Superdelegates 4
It’s Still Over for Clinton
