I'm tired of the ragging on the superdelegates.

[crispini]

First, let me say that I don't believe the superdelegates are going to get "called into line" by anybody, and I don't think they're going to throw the election to one side or another. They are going to be smart and wait and see how the popular vote is going and most of them will rally behind the nominee. I don't think we're going to see them actually deciding an election. They are not interested in doing anything that they think will hurt the party.

Also, superdelegates are people like anyone else. They can be lobbied. If you want to make your voice heard to your state's superdelegates, you should do so. Many of the superdelegates are DNC members and I know when I lobbied my DNC members to get Dean as chairman of the party, they were thrilled to hear from me.

I think that calling them "party hacks" and characterizing them as these super-duper party insiders is offensive. Superdelegates are elected officials and long time party members and activists, and worthy of some respect. It takes a lot of work (not just in election years!) to keep the party going. Precinct chairs, county chairs, executive committee members, and heads of organizations such as the Young Democrats are all people who go to meetings, contribute money, block walk, and organize all kinds of things. I would like to remind people that this is not a general election. This is a Democratic Party Primary. It is for DEMOCRATS. As such, I think that people who have given good service to the Democratic party in their capacity are worthy to represent us. (And if you're *only* posting on an internet message board, and not doing anything else, I don't count that. Sorry.)

As Howard Dean once said, if all you're doing is getting out there and voting, you get a "D." You need to contribute, volunteer, and run for office yourself. The superdelegates are people who have done that.

[IsItJustMe]

1. Uh, let me guess, your a super delegate, right?

Just kidding

You make some very good points and I think we should heed them. These people do the kind of work that is usually thankless.

I think people getted worked up about it (myself included) because of the possibility that they would overturn the will of the electorate. But at the end of the day, it will work out.

[crispini]

5. I actually know a couple of DNC members.

It just annoys me to hear them called "party hacks" when I've seen first hand how much dang work they do.

[jillan]

2. I heard a discussion on AAR about them, and why they matter -

They are Govs, Senators, Congressmen and they are *greatly* impacted by the administration.

Think about that, how true it is. For example, how this admin held the states accountable for NCLB, but no funding.
Infrastructure, education, schip....etc.

[MaineDem]

7. Some are also just average people, too

The DNC members are mostly NOT elected officials just dedicated Democrats who care deeply about the Party and our country.

I agree, they are getting a bum rap. They aren't getting political favors or campaign donations or any special perqs. They work hard, pay their own way, and don't deserve the harsh words.

I know all of Maine's DNC members and I trust they will do what's best.

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. The 60's had an ugly side. Violence among Democrats on TV

doomed our party. McGovern was the last straw ... super delegates arose for precisely the circumstance we face today: a charismatic candidate who isn't fully vetted for suitability in the general election.

Been here, don't wanna see it done to us again. Super delegates, for all the pressure they'll face, have it easy compared to the times that made them necessary.

[bigtree]

10. I saw the 'party's' view of McGovern as elitist and wrong.

So, he was a weak candidate to Nixon. What gives that minority of chosen party officials the right to second guess the voter's choice? School me on this.

[Tweed]

4. Yeah super delegates are people too! They have to eat!

[crispini]

6. just one kick...

[Jersey Devil]

8. Locally we call them "bonus delegates" because they've earned it

Superdelegates are largely elected Democrats - members of Congress, former presidents, vice presidents, former congressional leaders, etc., who earned the right to be delegates by working to get elected. It's a bonus they get for working for the Democratic Party. Why shouldn't they have a say in what happens to their party?

[bigtree]

9. They are an anti-democratic party construction

and, yes, they are party insiders in their official relationship to the votes cast.

[Thepricebreaker]

11. Get used to it - its only started.

Its just begun. Most people believe its going to come down to them - and they are going to upset at least 40% of the party no matter which way they go - so...

[crispini]

12. kick

It seems to be time