Super Delegates will determine Democratic Party Nominee
The political football game between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is very likely to go into “overtime”. As the primary calendar marches on, it is now virtually impossible for either candidate to amass enough “pledged” delegates to reach the magic 2,025 delegate score. (See the bottom of this article for a Quick Review of the Rules).
The current pledged delegate count*:
Clinton: 1,200
Obama: 1,347
Total: 2,547
To be determined: 706**
* As of March 10, 2008, according to CNN. Other news sources show different numbers which make it impossible for either candidate to reach the 2,025 delegate count via pledged delegates.
** Note: if there is a “do-over” for Florida and Michigan, the numbers will change, but the basic scenario of super delegates deciding the nominee will remain almost certain.
The remaining primaries and caucuses will determine the remaining 706 pledged delegates. Mathematically, neither Obama nor Clinton will gain the nomination through pledged delegates only.
Check out Slate’s delegate calculator. It’s a fun and easy way to explore scenarios (web programmers especially will appreciate it).
Super delegates will ultimately decide the Democratic Party nominee for president. All delegates have the right to vote for any candidate they choose.
A central question and topic of discussion for Democrats is: what are the guiding principles that should influence how each delegate votes?
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Loading …To defeat John McCain in November, the Democratic Party needs both Clinton and Obama supporters united and enthusiastically behind the party’s nominee. This is a key issue I will address in a new post very soon (here’s a preview: the current trend does not look promising, especially given the Clinton campaign’s “kitchen sink” attack Obama strategy).
Many people will continue offering “advice” to super delegates: the Clinton and Obama campaigns, media voices, and hopefully grassroots Democrats. A number of prominent Democrats have positioned themselves to “referee” this potential intra-party crossroads by NOT endorsing either Clinton or Obama. These include: Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and others.
My (obvious) advice is that super delegates should vote for the candidate that is best for the future of the party and the country. They should seriously evaluate the results of the primaries and caucuses in making their decision. I hope the Democratic Party eliminates the super delegate rule in 2012. Let the people decide.
Most Democrats hope this historic contest is resolved well before the convention August 25-28. It will be amazing political theater if this goes all the way to the convention, but it may deeply divide Democrats and guarantee a McCain presidency.
Quick Review of the Rules:
Delegates at the National Democratic Party Convention (August 25-28 in Denver) officially determine the party’s nominee for president. There are 4,049 total delegates.* Voters in the Democratic Party primaries and caucuses held in the 50 states (and Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) select 3,253 pledged delegates. Party “insiders” at both the state and national level choose the remaining 796 delegates, called “super” delegates. (If you want to find out more, read my earlier article: A Quick Guide to the Democratic Party Rule Book).*Note: if there is a “do-over” for Florida and Michigan, the numbers will change, but the basic scenario of super delegates deciding the nominee will remain almost certain. Sphere: Related Content
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