Is Howard Dean Backtracking on Super Delegate Endorsement Plea ?

[K Gardner]

While on the phone with my Tennessee Superdelegates, I thought I overheard Howard Dean answer a question on MSNBC about superdelegate endorsements saying NOT that he wanted them to decide now, but rather that "maybe by the end of June"... ??

What is this latest wishy-washy talk? What possible reason could any superdelegate have to spinelessly sit on the sidelines any further?

On a side note - don't expect any help for Obama getting over the line from the remaining Tennessee SDs. They all remain firmly UNCOMITTED.. although a press spokeperson for our Tn Dem Party did state a possible endorsement from one after the votes come in tomorrow night.

Very frustrating indeed.

[MadBadger]

1. I dont think he is backing off. I think he sees the writing on the wall and knows its over

He doesnt need to play hardball anymore. This will all be over Wednesday.

[Diane R]

2. I am so tired of this tiptoeing around Hillary, and her feelings, crap. A real feminist doesn't ...

...need to be coddled. Enough of this. She needs to belly up to the bar, and take her loss like a man.

And...just to be clear, I'm a 58 year old woman and original feminist.

[PoliticalAmazon]

10. Coddling Hillary Clinton translates to saying she's right. BAD strategy, IMO. n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. Makes one wonder what the Clintons have on these people...

[Andy823]

29. I think they are worried

That if by some miracle she were to later on get the nomination for whatever reason, any SD that did not come out to support her would be killing their future in politics! Seems like the Clintons hold a grudge, and have no problems with getting "even" with those who cross them!

[RooferDem]

4. Whatever the motivation, I'm glad he said this.

Easier to unify if it looks like SDs made up their mind on their own schedule and of their own volition.

[jenmito]

5. He also said that after tomorrow there's no reason NOT to endorse...

before saying they COULD do it by the middle to end of June. I think it's more pandering to the Hillary crowd.

[K Gardner]

19. Surrogate Rice is now saying "should wrap up sometime this week". They don't think he'll go

over the top tomorrow night, or they're lowering expectations.

[jenmito]

23. I saw that. I also saw Tim Russert say the MINUTE the polls close tomorrow night, the SDs

will be RACING to declare for Obama to be the one to claim they put him over the top.

[K Gardner]

24. I posted this below, but did you just see my Governor on TV saying he WILL endorse tomorrow and

expects other uncomitteds to as well..? That's ReALLY good news, especially from TN and a state that went for Clinton.

[jenmito]

26. Yes! Great news! I'm betting Obama will be able to declare official victory tomorrow night!

:hi:

[MaineDem]

6. I think he's urging the supers to declare this week

I expect most are waiting for close of voting tomorrow and will endorse then.

[redstate_democrat]

7. These people are cowards

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6223722&mesg_id=6223722

I'm collecting a list after tomorrow night and will dedicate an entire website to their cowardice.

[K Gardner]

8. I'm going to PM you my list of TN Supers and their responses.

[redstate_democrat]

11. Thank you very much.

[AtomicKitten]

9. Obama only needs 20-30 SDs to put him over the top Tuesday night.

I think it's clear Obama will reach 2,118 and call it, as it should be. The rest of the uncommitted lightweights can board the ship after it sets sail Tuesday night without fear of recrimination.

[polichick]

12. Wow - this is getting mysterious.

[beachmom]

28. Some of them do not want to endorse either of them. They are more conservative,

and like to separate themselves from the national party.

[madfloridian]

13. I think they are trying to keep it from looking like a power play....

until the primaries are over tomorrow.

Actually earlier he said they need to start "now"(I forget the day it was) and finish up by June. With variations in between.

And yes, I think all the party leaders fear the wrath of the Clintons.

[K Gardner]

18. Do you think it will be a Talking Point for the Republicans in the GE if a bunch of

Superdelegates REMAIN uncomitted? I've heard this more than once from pundits.. i.e., "If Obama is such a good candidate, why don't the party leaders endorse him?" If.. IF Clinton does bow out, what possible reason could any SDs have to remain uncomitted and leave Obama showing that he barely got over the magic number?

[newmajority]

25. "I think all the party leaders fear the wrath of the Clintons."

There's the real answer. The remaining holdouts are either friends of the Clintons who want to spare Hillary's feelings, or they're afraid of the Clinton machine turning on them. The DLC managed to mobilize no less than 4 primary opponents against Dennis Kucinich earlier this year, so it would be just as easily for them to put up a primary opponent against any congressperson or a senator who was up for reelection this year.

But now that the Clintons have been defeated, that machine ain't looking so damn intimidating anymore. And thank the deity of your choice for that.

[pompano]

30. And miss a chance of a few more of these?

Damn that was funny.

And before I flamed...y'all know others were laughing like hell to? I watched it and :rofl: :rofl: twice. Don't say you didn't? Hell, if she had been an ounce more mad, Tom DeLay would be be President.

Said, "She couldn't even find the RBC meeting"..."No one would tell her where it was"

NO, ya think?

I tripped on my garden hose 2 days ago. Fell and got some sore ribs for my clumsliness. Watching that tirade really helped out, did it ever. :sarcasm:

[EFerrari]

14. I don't blame the SDs for trying to avoid political fallout

for backing a candidate. This is almost over anyway, and it's being determined by votes, not endorsements. That's a good outcome.

[Jersey Devil]

15. I believe it means Hillary is suspending her campaign tomorrow night

I know that many will not believe she would ever do that, but the slowdown of super delegates is probably intentional, orchestrated by Obama, to let her bow out gracefully instead of pushing her out before the polls close tomorrow.

[K Gardner]

16. That's probably a good analysis of the "mood" right now. Let's hope she takes this opportunity

to bow out with some dignity.

[lojasmo]

17. He's said the same thing for weeks.

This is neither new, nor back tracking.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stephanie]

21. Because everyone is walking on eggshells around Mrs. Clinton

All signs indicate that she will concede tomorrow night and nobody wants to blow that by appearing to put pressure on the poor delicate flower - if they piss her off she might change her mind.

[K Gardner]

22. LOL... there's my Governor on TV.. oh good !! He says he's going to endorse tomorrow !

[beachmom]

27. According to the WP, they are waiting for Hillary to concede.

That is what was said last week. They are weasels, and they are not going to endorse either candidate, but wait for one to be decided on. Our party kind of sucks.