Do super delegates 'rig' the Democratic primaries in Hillary Clinton’s favour?

[webfact]

Do super delegates 'rig' the Democratic primaries in Hillary Clinton’s favour?
Sam Clench, news.com.au

HILLARY Clinton should be winning.

America’s former first lady and secretary of state has a clear path to her party’s presidential nomination. She’s rolling in cash, wielding a ruthlessly efficient campaign machine and facing just one rival — Bernie Sanders, an eccentric 74-year-old who openly describes himself as a “socialist” in the least socialist country on Earth.

Compare that to Clinton’s last run for president in 2008, when she was caught off guard by the historic candidacy of Barack Obama. This time, it should be easy. But Clinton is struggling.

Nine days ago, Sanders walloped Clinton in the New Hampshire primary, raking in 151,000 votes compared to her 95,000. In other words, the woman widely perceived to be the Democrats’ only viable nominee for president just conceded more than 60 per cent of the vote to a rank outsider.

Full story: http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/do-super-delegates-rig-the-democratic-primaries-in-hillary-clintons-favour/news-story/590348429e8eb7fcbee22961c2a909aa


-- News.com.au 2016-02-18

[thaibeachlovers]

To answer the question- of course they do.

[lovelomsak]

After reading this now I know where the Thai's got their template for the new constitution.

[webfact]

Superdelegates help Clinton expand her lead despite NH loss
By HOPE YEN and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER

WASHINGTON (AP) — So much for Bernie Sanders' big win in New Hampshire.

Since then, Hillary Clinton has picked up endorsements from 87 more superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention, dwarfing Sanders' gain from the New Hampshire primary, according to a new Associated Press survey. Sanders has added just 11 superdelegate endorsements.

If these party insiders continue to back Clinton overwhelmingly — and they can change their minds — Sanders would have to win the remaining primaries by a landslide just to catch up. He would have to roll up big margins because every Democratic contest awards delegates in proportion to the vote, so even the loser can get some.

After the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders has a small 36-32 lead among delegates won in primaries and caucuses. But when superdelegates are included, Clinton leads 481-55, according to the AP count. It's essentially a parallel election that underscores Clinton's lopsided support from the Democratic establishment.

The disparity is sparking a backlash among some Sanders supporters, who complain that the Democratic nominating process is decidedly undemocratic, rigged in favor of Clinton.

Some of them — not part of the campaign, Sanders' people say — are contacting superdelegates who have publicly endorsed Clinton. Their message isn't subtle, or always welcome.

"I'm sick and tired of them," Cordelia Lewis-Burks, a superdelegate from Indiana, said of the Sanders backers. "It's very aggravating to be bashed on my own computer by these people who it's probably the first time they've ever voted. I've been in the trenches since I was 20."

Pressure tactics won't sway Lacy Johnson, another Indiana superdelegate who backs Clinton.

"They were saying 'We're not going to forget this,'" Johnson said.

"I'm an African-American male who is in my 60s," Johnson said. "I have experienced the struggles. The experiences they are sharing don't faze me in comparison."

Superdelegates aren't new. They have been part of the Democratic Party's nominating process since 1984.

They automatically attend the national convention and can support the candidate of their choice, regardless of whom primary voters back. They are party leaders — members of Congress, party officials and members of the Democratic National Committee.

There are 712 superdelegates, about 30 percent of the 2,382 delegates needed to claim the nomination.

The Republicans also have some automatic delegates but not nearly as many.

Clinton's campaign expresses confidence that she will maintain a strong lead among superdelegates even as she focuses on upcoming voting. "Our campaign strategy is to build a lead with pledged delegates" won in primaries and caucuses, spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in an email.

Sanders campaign adviser Tad Devine said he doesn't consider an early superdelegate count to be very meaningful. Sanders' ability to attract younger people and independent voters, as he did in New Hampshire, will be a strong selling point to change people's minds, he said.

"It is hardly an insurmountable lead, and it can change overnight," Devine said. "We are confident that superdelegates want to be behind the strongest candidates in a general election and have a nominee to help candidates win up and down the ballot."

In 2008, some superdelegates who initially supported Clinton did switch to Barack Obama after he started racking up victories in primaries and caucuses. But Obama is a Democrat who had worked on campaigns and cultivated relationships with many of the superdelegates. Sanders is an independent.

"To my knowledge there has been zero outreach to the New Hampshire automatic delegates from the Sanders campaign," said Kathleen Sullivan, a DNC member from New Hampshire. "Not just since the primary, I mean since he first decided to run."

New Hampshire, which Sanders won by 22 percentage points, has eight superdelegates. Six back Clinton and two are uncommitted.

Many Clinton supporters question whether Sanders could win the general election.

"He'd get killed!" said Rosalind Wyman, a DNC member from California. "A socialist independent?"

Others talk about their relationship with Clinton, who has been in Democratic politics for decades.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said, "Superdelegates are interested to see who can win, and many of them have strong ties to the Clintons, like me."

Sanders supporters are tired of hearing these arguments.

"I'm so damned sick of people saying I love this guy but he can't win," said Troy Jackson, a DNC member from Maine who supports Sanders. "People need to start voting with their heart, what they know is right,"

Jackson, a superdelegate himself, said he will push to have all five of Maine's superdelegates back the candidate who wins the state's caucuses in March. Three have endorsed Clinton and the other is undecided.

"I want someone who's going to fight for me, not cut deals, not compromise on core values," Jackson said. "While I have respect for Secretary Clinton, she does that too much."

AP reporters in every state and U.S. territory surveyed the Democratic superdelegates after the New Hampshire primary. When AP did this in November, Clinton led Sanders 359-8 in pledged support, meaning her already substantial margin has grown.
___

AP writers Brian Slodysko in Indianapolis, Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri, David Sharp in Portland, Maine, and Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-02-19

[shirtless]

Democracy is dead

[Lukecan]

If I was sanders I would give the middle finger and run independent. That will show the democratic party to respect democracy.

[NeverSure]

How anyone can support that crooked Democrat Party is beyond me. They even have a criminal leading the race although by rigged means. Nothing of any moral value seems to matter to Democrats.

Hillary couldn't get elected as the town ugly stick if it wasn't rigged. That's OK for now because at least this time Trump is going to kick her ass if she "wins" the nomination. The people are SICK of these crooked power brokers.

Cheers.

[Katipo]

To say the US is a true 'democracy' and 'land of the free' is just a joke these days. the reality is, that it isn't so far removed from some of the dubious democracies in SEA.

Having said that, looking at alternatives for 'world super power/policeman'... Europe? Not unified enough. Russia? No thank you. China? That's just scary. So it guess it could be worse.

[DoctorG]

At least I now know what a superdelegate is.

[willyumiii]

The United States claims to be a democracy.

It is not.

It is a republic.

Most Americans do not know the difference.

[Jingthing]

I think U.S. political parties can operate pretty much any way they decide among themselves. That's a kind of freedom too. People are also free to reject the two major parties. But they don't. So whose fault is that?

[lannarebirth]

I think U.S. political parties can operate pretty much any way they decide among themselves. That's a kind of freedom too. People are also free to reject the two major parties. But they don't. So whose fault is that?

They could learn a thing or two from the guy who ran the TV POTY's IMO.

[NovaBlue05]

To say the US is a true 'democracy' and 'land of the free' is just a joke these days. the reality is, that it isn't so far removed from some of the dubious democracies in SEA.

Having said that, looking at alternatives for 'world super power/policeman'... Europe? Not unified enough. Russia? No thank you. China? That's just scary. So it guess it could be worse.

Best looking horse in the glue factory!

[NovaBlue05]

If I was sanders I would give the middle finger and run independent. That will show the democratic party to respect democracy.

Yes, Bernie should have run Independent because he is currently aligning himself with a party that is as woven into the fabric of corporate interests as the opposition party which is kind of contrary to his message.

That and it would be the only route for him to get to the general election.

[Ulysses G.]

If Bernie wins the popular vote and does not get the nomination because the system is rigged with "super delegates", there will be plenty of rejecting going on.

[geriatrickid]

First of all, the Democrat Party does not use super delegates. It has unpledged elected members of the party who participate. In any given election, they account for only 20% of the participants. Of this, a bit more than 1/2 are elected members, such as Governors, Senators and Congressional Representatives. These people have been elected by the voters and if anything have a greater mandate to participate than folks who were selected in a primary. They most certainly have a right to say who will lead them. MPs in parliamentary systems have the right to participate in the selection process. Why should elected members be denied a right to participate? In respect to the party members, they too should have a right to vote. There are not too many of them who are allowed to participate, but these are the people who have been working hard to support the party and who have given of themselves. They have a greater understanding of the needs of the party than pop up delegates. The use of unpledged delegates ensures that there is a strong dose of reality at a nominating convention.

Sanders can whinge all he wants. The fact is that he is a nominal Democrat and only caucused with the party for his own personal reasons. Had the party had it in for him, it could have blocked him from participating because of his refusal to be part of the party. He can't have it both ways.

[Srikcir]

Political party selection of nominations for the presidency is not covered by the US Constitution nor controlled on a national basis. It is determined by the party leadership on a state-by-state basis and provides for more grassroots politics typical of a democracy. Bernie may not like how it works in some states but he understands the rules. Don't like how the party operates - leave. There are no restrictions in joining a different party or forming one's own party - typical of a democracy.

“If we continue to do well around the country, and if super delegates whose main interest in life is to make sure that we do not have a Republican in the White House, if they understand that I am the candidate who is best suited to defeat the Republican nominee, I think they will start coming over to us”

Obama won over the Democrats super delegates and the SD's chose right. Bernie can hope for the same.

[Srikcir]

The United States claims to be a democracy.

It is not.

It is a republic.

Most Americans do not know the difference.

You must be an American as you too don't know the difference.

A republic is merely the form or system of a nation's governmental organization.¹

How a nation sustains such form is based on ideological principles such as democracy, communism, absolute monarch, socialism, oligarchy, etc. that is typically prescribed by a constitution and/or history of case law.

For example: North Korea, China, France and the USA are republics but obviously differ in their choice of operation. The UK, Japan, Spain and Thailand are constitutional monarchies but again differ in how government is accomplished.

No nation follows a pure ideology due to factors of practicality and efficiency. For example, Direct Participatory Democracy works well for small, single cultural island nations but is impractical for large, diversified nations.

¹See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_system_of_government

[stevenl]

If I was sanders I would give the middle finger and run independent. That will show the democratic party to respect democracy.

Maybe after: 1. he has gained the majority of delegates; and 2. the super delegates still support Hillary and vote for her at the congress.

Until that time the best thing to do is engage in politics and convince the super delegates to vote with the majority.

[Prbkk]

The super delegates walked away from Hilary in 2008 when it became apparent that things were not going her way. Should she lose Nevada...unthinkable even a month ago...the momentum will be with Sanders as it was with Obama in 08 and all bets will be off. Sure, Hilary would stil be favoured to win but it's not going to be the lay down misere envisaged by her team.

[Steely Dan]

Fancy that the words 'rig' and 'Clinton' appearing in the same sentence.

[hawker9000]

To answer the question- of course they do.

Unless the earned delegate count is decidedly in Sanders' favor, definitely. And the risk is that doing this will leave party voters home on Election Day. Yet more baggage for Hillary.

[connda]

The entire presidential pageant show is rigged. Bread and circuses.

[mrwebb8825]

Fancy that the words 'rig' and 'Clinton' appearing in the same sentence.

almost the same as "Fix" and "Bush" I suppose. Go Donald.

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed. Please stay on topic.

[Usernames]

"I'm sick and tired of them," Cordelia Lewis-Burks, a superdelegate from Indiana, said of the Sanders backers. "It's very aggravating to be bashed on my own computer by these people who it's probably the first time they've ever voted. I've been in the trenches since I was 20."

In other words I AM ENTITLED!!! Nothing illustrates the attitudes and beliefs of the Clintons and their supporters better than this statement.