Wednesday, March 12, 2008

On the Minds of Superdelegates 4

this is the fourth part of my ongoing: what's on the minds of superdelegates.
in california where 29 support clinton and 13 back Obama and 23 are uncommitted, one super doesn't want to say because he's a typical politician up for election and doesn't want to alienate anyone:


Freshman Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney of Pleasanton has enough to worry about this year: He's in a swing district, and Republicans are working feverishly to unseat him this November.

Now he has another headache: As one of 796 Democratic superdelegates, he could help tilt the presidential nomination to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama or New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. But supporting either one could alienate fans of the other - which could cost McNerney votes he needs this fall.

No surprise, then, that the 56-year-old former wind engineer would prefer to avoid the choice altogether: "I'll make a decision when I have to."

McNerney is not alone. Some superdelegates relish their power in determining the party's nominee, but interviews with uncommitted California superdelegates suggest that many are torn over which candidate to support and are conflicted about their role.

another super compares the candidates to choosing between children:


"It's like saying, 'Which are your favorite children?' How are you going to choose?" said Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel. "I like them both. I think they would be great together."

Farr's district was divided in California's Feb. 5 primary: Santa Cruz County voted for Obama, while Monterey and Salinas backed Clinton.


some still can't see the differences between the two candidates (which rocks are they living under?)


"I'm keeping my eyes on the prize," said Rep. Pete Stark, D-Fremont. "The differences between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama pale in comparison to their disagreements with John McCain."

speaker of the house nancy pelosi has been trying to remain steady:


Pelosi said she will support whichever Democrat finishes the race with the most elected delegates. The position echoes Obama's view that superdelegates should follow the voters, but Pelosi said her position is based on her own experience in grassroots political organizing. She said that to stay engaged, voters must be convinced that they - not party leaders - chose the nominee.

"How are you going to go back after the convention and convene a phone bank and ask people to get out the vote and tell people their vote will count unless you have a process that is transparent, that is fair and that is inclusive?" Pelosi said. She insisted it was the best way to "respect the public's verdict."

one super said he'll support whoever will promise to get latinos to the polls. that's sort of wishy washy.


Superdelegate Steve Ybarra, 60, who teaches at Sacramento City College and is active in state politics, said he will base his decision solely on which candidate promises to do more to register Latinos to vote and to get them to the polls in November.

"I'm waiting for those candidates to tell us what he or she is doing for those Latino voters," Ybarra said. He's taken many calls from both sides, but hasn't been convinced. "I haven't heard a significant commitment. What is the budget? Where is the plan? It's just that simple."
a list of california's undecideds
On the Minds of Superdelegates 1
On the Minds of Superdelegates 2
On the Minds of Superdelegates 3
On the Minds of Superdelegates 4
On the Minds of Superdelegates 5
Clinton’s Deliberate Race Baiting
Who Can Beat McCain?