There are still 132.5 uncommitted superdelegates.

[madfloridian]

According to 2008 Democratic Convention Watch there are 132.5 of them left.

If my math is correct, using the front page figures from Daily Kos....if you add ALL of those remaining to Hillary's total delegate count she is still at 2054.5. That is far short of Obama's present 2173 total.

My question is why are they waiting? It does not make sense.

Today four party leaders sent out a message to those remaining superdelegates.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DGA Chairman Joe Manchin and DNC Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement:

"We have come to the end of an exciting primary and caucus process - the voters have spoken. As the Democratic leaders of the Senate, House of Representatives, the Governors and the Democratic National Committee we commend all of the participants of the 2008 primary process, especially Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, for making this such a transformational election. Because of the enthusiasm our candidates have inspired, our party has brought record numbers of voters to the polls, gained millions of newly registered Democrats and now has advantages in states many thought were difficult to win. We are grateful to the millions of Independents and Republicans who have crossed over to vote for a Democratic candidate for President.

"Democrats must now turn our full attention to the general election. To that end, we are urging all remaining uncommitted super delegates to make their decisions known by Friday of this week so that our party can stand united and begin our march toward reversing the eight years of failed Bush/McCain policies that have weakened our country.

"We once again congratulate all of the candidates for their leadership and dedication to providing this country with a New Direction. We look forward to working with them and with all Democrats to win the White House, congressional seats and state capitals so we can deliver the change the American people deserve and demand."

Why are they waiting now? Maybe I just do not understand the whole picture.

[slackmaster]

1. I just have to wonder what .5 of a delegate looks like

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

2. Heh Heh Probably pretty funny.

Depending on which half. }(

[SwampG8r]

9. i think that he is

a delegate selected under a special equal representation rule in the DNC bylaws

usually billy barty fills the seat but with his passing i wonder who it will be

[RB TexLa]

3. They've started the roll call? I missed the first days of the convention?

[JCMach1]

4. Because superdelegates can change their mind up until they vote...

Having said that, Hillary has had no path to victory since NC.

[berni_mccoy]

5. About 38 of those are Add-Ons and can't declare before their scheduled date.

[madfloridian]

6. That makes sense.

I just see no reason for the others not to go ahead....

[butterfly77]

7. I will take that into consideration ..

the next time I vote for the congress and senate..

[madfloridian]

8. I recognize a lot of Blue Dog names in the uncommitted Representatives column

Quite a few of them.

[madfloridian]

10. Just saw this post by Democracy 1st about Blue Dogs.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6247750&mesg_id=6247750

Why are they doing this?

[vaberella]

11. Well not to bring up that awful rurmor...but FoxNews was at it again yesterday

apparently a very damaging video is coming out TODAY. Still it's seems to be missing, but the day is not over. It went as far as MSNBC, because one of the reporters even said, "We have to move away from videos and really focus on the issues and remind the candidates about the issues." Some people are still waiting for that. Secondly a few others are just waiting until August before they nominate and others are just waiting on Clinton.

My bet is on Clinton to make the final decision on what she wants to do. Once she does everyone will then make the move. They don't want to be too brash and up not nominating the "right" person supposedly.

[thewiseguy]

13. Dude stop it with these scary video stuff

The rest of those who have not came out will do so by the end of this week. They are waiting for Hillary to drop out. Harry Reid and most of the Senators fall into that category. Same deal with Nancy Pelosi and some house members.

[donheld]

12. Colo Governor Bill Ritter

Has finally stepped up for Barack Obama!

[Barack_America]

14. List of endorsements from today...

dded Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD) for Obama

Switched VP Walter Mondale (MN) from Clinton to Obama

Added Sen. Frank Lautenberg (NJ) for Obama

Added Gov. Phil Bredesen (TN) for Obama

Added DNC Gray Sasser (TN) for Obama

Added DNC Inez Crutchfield (TN) for Obama

Added Rep. Rahm Emanuel (IL) for Obama

Added Rep. Mike Doyle (PA) for Obama

Added Sen. Ken Salazar (CO) for Obama

Added Sen. Tom Harkin (IA) for Obama

Added Rep. Tom Udall (NM) for Obama

Added Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) for Obama

Switched DNC Karen Hale (UT) from Clinton to Obama

Added Sen. Ron Wyden (OR) for Obama

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/


Also:
AZ Attorney General Terry Goddard
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8430848

[madfloridian]

16. Now it shows 130.5....guess they are still updating.

.

[BearSquirrel2]

23. If Hillary does not concede ...

If Hillary does not concede, I think you will see more and more of her previous pledges switch to Obama. Everyone but her knows it's over with.

[Barack_America]

26. Agreed. Except I think it's everyone INCLUDING her.

I have no idea what the hell she's doing, but it doesn't detract from Obama being the nominee IMO.

[WeDidIt]

15. Obama needs 26.4% of those

to meet the most obnoxious setting of the bar by Clinton, 2210.

[madfloridian]

18. That bar doesn't count in any but her dream world.

Party leaders need to speak out about that fantasy number. Yes, it is obnoxious.

[WeDidIt]

19. Agreed

but he will definitely beat that number.

;)

[Marie26]

17. They need to decide this week

I don't understand what they're waiting for either. Bribes? An engraved invitation? Roses?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

20. Make that 130.5 now.

It would appear that Seantors Ben Cardin (MD) and Ron Wyden (OR) have came out for Obama since your post?

There's also another DNC switch from Clinton to Obama. That was Karen Hale (UT).

I don't really care why she's waiting, most voters have moved on just like the SD. I'm seeing Obama 08 flags all over the place today. I'm a very happy person. :D

[Captain Hilts]

21. To Hell with the lot of them. nt

[Growler]

22. what sort of cachet is there in being

the last uncommitted SD to declare for Obama?

:shrug:

[madfloridian]

24. Good question.

It is very odd.

[MilesColtrane]

25. Could be any number of factors in play.

Some may be waiting for Hillary to concede before endorsing Obama, so as not to piss her off.
The 8 senators may not want to put a target on their backs for the rest of the time they have to work directly with Clinton.
Look at her reaction to Richardson's defection.

Some may be close friends of Hillary who want to wait until she concedes just to avoid future awkward feelings.

The most senior and powerful members of the party (Gore, Reid, Pelosi, Dean) are probably waiting until most everyone else has endorsed to avoid any possible claim that they were using their influence to sway the other super delegates.
Losing a hard fought campaign can be tough to swallow and it would be easy for someone with a grudge to attribute the loss to the machinations of a biased party leader.

Then there are those who are waiting to get a chance to speak to Obama in person in the hopes of wrangling a job.
"Senator I would hope there would be room for me in your historic administration. Any consideration would certainly help me make up my mind about who I'm going to vote for in Denver. *wink* *wink*"

[RiverStone]

27. All we can do is call the uncommitted SuperD's and implore...

...them to get off their ass already and do their civic duty!

I can't fathom why they are waiting. What's in it for them at this point to do so?

[Barack_America]

28. Add Senators Feingold and Kohl (WI) to the Obama camp.

http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/APC0101/80604089/1003/APC01

[hokies4ever]

29. It is better for Hillary to concede than for people to force her out

If all of the undecideds come out now, it will look like they're forcing her to concede. They want her to concede on her own will and then endorse and support Obama. They're appeasing her ego.

[Barack_America]

30. Rep. Mike Doyle and Jason Altmire (PA) endorse/support Obama.

http://www.examiner.com/a-1424338~2_Pa__superdelegates_announce_intentions_to_back_Obama.html

madfloridian, I think you spooked the SD's into endorsing. They must have seen how thoroughly you covered the Florida delegate situation and decided they didn't want you on their asses! ;)

[Jersey Devil]

31. Boxer switches to Obama - other senators declare

Tom Harkin, Barbara Boxer, Tom Carper, Ken Salazar, Ron Wyden, Mary Landrieu, Frank Lautenberg, and Ben Cardin

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/neutral_senators_the_nominee_h.php#mo

[madfloridian]

32. Now at 126.5

Maybe some are listening to the plea from the party leaders.

[yellerpup]

33. NOW she wants to fight.

She didn't want to fight to stop the war based on lies, and not when children's lives were at stake because of cluster bombs, and not to prevent another 'war of choice' in Iran. She only gets energized when she's looking for a new job. She has been a dismal disappointment during this contest and not so hot as a senator, either.

[Yukari Yakumo]

34. What is Gore waiting for? {nt}

uguu

[billyoc]

35. How many of them are House members? Some of them may fear the Harriet Effect.

:rofl: