Political strategist Donna Brazile is in a tizzy over the super-delegate situation in the super-tight race for the democratic presidential nomination.
First of all, let me explain what the heck a super-delegate is.
The end result of primaries and caucuses are that delegates who represent their states are eventually sent to the national convention. Some of these delegates are elected by their peers at caucuses or chosen among hopefuls at the county, district and state conventions that will be held until the national convention convenes in late August. Another group of delegates, the so-called "super delegates," are elected officials and other party VIPs who are eligible to attend the convention on behalf of their states without explicitly being chosen. So, when governors and senators and congresspersons declare their allegiance to a particular candidate, it has more meaning that usual this year. These super-delegates could literally decide the election.
The 796 super-delegates eligible to vote at the convention may literally tip the balance in favor of either candidate. None of them are obliged to vote for the candidate chosen during their states' primary elections. Ted Kennedy is supporting Barack Obama as a superdelegate even though Hillary Clinton won the Massachusetts primary.
During an appearance on CNN, Donna Brazile said,
"If 795 of my colleagues decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this."
She has retracted her statement a bit since then, saying she wouldn't quit the party, rather the Democratic National Committee, of which she is member and what makes her a super-delegate.
I think if one reads between the lines, what Donna Brazile really meant was "If 795 of my colleagues nominate the white woman instead of the black guy, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this." Ironic isn't it? How un-democratic the Democratic party really is.
Posted by: Marvin | February 15, 2008 10:59 PM | Permalink to Comment