Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 09:30 AM Jun 2016

Their argument that the superdelegates is undemocratic.

First, every one of the SD's hold their position because of an election. Governors, Senators, Representatives, and the President and Vice President were elected to those positions. Party leaders, meaning state chairs and vice chairs were elected within their state central committee. State DNC members were elected at state conventions by state delegates. Past Presidents, DNC Chairs, and former congressional leaders had held major elected positions. A form of emeritus staus.

Second, the Democratic National Convention is a DNC (Democratic National Committee) function. It is a Democratic Party organization and it is their event. It would be ridiculous to hold an event and not include their own members. That would be undemocratic. If anyone is not a Democrat and more importantly not involved as an activist in the Democratic Party they should not have a say in the party's organization.

It amazes me how little these people know about the Democratic Party and what it is and what it is not.

35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Their argument that the superdelegates is undemocratic. (Original Post) LiberalFighter Jun 2016 OP
I like Superdelegates! Her Sister Jun 2016 #1
I agree. They are more likely to be privy to critical information that is needed. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #5
It's just knee-jerk negativity because it didn't go their way. TwilightZone Jun 2016 #2
It's just their latest Whne.. How many does make? Cha Jun 2016 #3
Twelve cases? NurseJackie Jun 2016 #24
The argument is that Hillary Clinton appointed every one of them. DURHAM D Jun 2016 #4
I know. I seriously doubt how it is all done. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #6
Take away mercuryblues Jun 2016 #7
It is likely because Sanders calls it a rigged system. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #8
Let's see, the system has been in place for WhiteTara Jun 2016 #9
Yes! Outsiders. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #11
Well, he wanted the database too. WhiteTara Jun 2016 #12
Well I hope after this he is locked out. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #14
Well, I hope if he stays in our party WhiteTara Jun 2016 #15
So far he hasn't demonstrated that he will do either. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #17
According to the DNC, the % of superdelegates spooky3 Jun 2016 #23
It also acts as a safety valve, rather intentional or unintentional, when a candidate has the most still_one Jun 2016 #27
And the thing is, superDs have never overturned the will of the people. wildeyed Jun 2016 #10
I just as soon political parties were not involved in the district boundaries. LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #13
Considering that lots of new voters either didn't register or learn about their state's party rules, displacedtexan Jun 2016 #22
I think it would be best if only actual Democrats can run as the Democratic nominee. Walk away Jun 2016 #16
Somewhere in the DNC rules there is such a provision. "Bona fide D" robbedvoter Jun 2016 #20
they are essentially the 'republic' part of a democracy. We are not nationally KittyWampus Jun 2016 #18
🐘🐘 right now would give anything to have them too robbedvoter Jun 2016 #19
Absoutely, any kook could use our party to legitimize their run! Walk away Jun 2016 #21
Before there were the primaries the nominee was determined by the committe. Thinkingabout Jun 2016 #25
It can be put that way. How can it be democratic when they are forced to support someone? LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #28
I am sure if a super delegate does not have to accept the responsibility of being Thinkingabout Jun 2016 #31
If they are eliminated LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #32
They should be making their decision based on the most qualified and electable. Thinkingabout Jun 2016 #33
Historically the super delegates always side with the candidate who won the most pledged delegates still_one Jun 2016 #26
Not once, since 1984, have Superdelegates voted again the will of the Democratic voters Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #29
And THAT is bernie's problem with the SD's. misterhighwasted Jun 2016 #34
A private organization... wysi Jun 2016 #30
They are in place to prevent entryism Ellen Forradalom Jun 2016 #35
 

Her Sister

(6,444 posts)
1. I like Superdelegates!
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 09:45 AM
Jun 2016

They have inside info on the candidates that might not be obvious otherwise! Info that might come out when it's too late! When we as Democrats find us stuck with a DUD, just like the GOP is now.

Trump is proving to be unfit in so many ways: Mentally and Emotionally stunted/unstable!


LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
5. I agree. They are more likely to be privy to critical information that is needed.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:13 AM
Jun 2016

But more importantly, even the voters are likely to change their mind in who to support after they have already voted and circumstances have changed. The superdelegates have the flexibility to change their support because they are not locked into a possible bad decision.

What happens if a top candidate dies in the middle of the primaries? Or decides to drop out for personal reasons? Or they are found to be ineligible? Or has a medical condition that calls into question a candidate being able to handle the position? With any of those situations that top candidate somehow will end up with the most pledged delegates. Getting rid of the superdelegates would leave the Democratic Party in a quandary. Every federal elected official and state party officers would run from that candidate. They would not expend any energy to help get that person elected.

We have a situation similar to that in our district. The voters decided to elect an unqualified candidate that has mental issues just because of his name in the primary. Unfortunately, there is little that the local party can do to have his name removed from the ballot. Because of is lack of qualifications the party will not make any effort to get him elected.

TwilightZone

(25,456 posts)
2. It's just knee-jerk negativity because it didn't go their way.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 09:52 AM
Jun 2016

They don't have to actually understand anything about it - it didn't help Sanders, so it's bad, by definition. It doesn't fit the narrative if they actually bother to understand why they're there and how the process works in the first place.

These are the same people who threw Elizabeth Warren under the bus and decided that her whole career was a sham because she is supporting the Democratic nominee for president.

DURHAM D

(32,609 posts)
4. The argument is that Hillary Clinton appointed every one of them.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:10 AM
Jun 2016


If you want to change the process one first needs to understand the process.

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
6. I know. I seriously doubt how it is all done.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:18 AM
Jun 2016

And sadly, even the unpledged delegates likely don't know. This process has been in place since 1984 and very few if any are still around that went through it.

Just like they don't understand how it is determined each state receives their delegate allocation. They probably think they know but in reality they are wrong.

mercuryblues

(14,530 posts)
7. Take away
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:29 AM
Jun 2016

all the Super delegates and Clinton still wins.
Force the SD to vote according to who won the state and Clinton still wins.

So what exactly is the real problem about SDs? that have been used for decades, without a problem. What is different in this election that makes SD all of a sudden "undemocratic"

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
8. It is likely because Sanders calls it a rigged system.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:49 AM
Jun 2016

He decides to run as a Democrat ten minutes ago and then decides he doesn't like the rules. The rules should not be decided based on how he wants them.

WhiteTara

(29,702 posts)
9. Let's see, the system has been in place for
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:52 AM
Jun 2016

30 years and no one even noticed or cared until people outside the party wanted to run it. Makes sense to me

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
11. Yes! Outsiders.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:57 AM
Jun 2016

That also includes Sanders who just became a Democrat only for the purpose to get his name on the ballot.

WhiteTara

(29,702 posts)
12. Well, he wanted the database too.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:00 AM
Jun 2016

It was chocked full of voter names...even those for his opponent, which of course, his campaign felt entitled to use.

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
14. Well I hope after this he is locked out.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:08 AM
Jun 2016

I just signed up with Bernie's campaign this week to be aware of what his campaign is doing. I should had done it sooner.

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
17. So far he hasn't demonstrated that he will do either.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:33 AM
Jun 2016

There is only so much time before he needs to get off the pot.

spooky3

(34,434 posts)
23. According to the DNC, the % of superdelegates
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 02:36 PM
Jun 2016

Was reduced from 20% to 15% from the last election to this one.

Luis Miranda said this during an interview about a week ago.

still_one

(92,122 posts)
27. It also acts as a safety valve, rather intentional or unintentional, when a candidate has the most
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 05:59 PM
Jun 2016

pledged delegates, but falls slight short of the required number, it prevent chaos from taking over at the convention.

The ones that seem to have a problem with this are the ones who enjoy open primaries, and the caucus.

Historically, SD have always gone with the candidate that won the most pledged delegates

wildeyed

(11,243 posts)
10. And the thing is, superDs have never overturned the will of the people.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 10:55 AM
Jun 2016

They exist, IMO, for extreme situations like if Edwards had won and then his infidelities came out. I would be OK with them not declaring their support until their state voted, something like that. And the media should be showing pledged delegates numbers separate from the superD totals.

Sanders peeps seem to think that the early party support swayed the actual voters but I doubt most voters pay attention. I vote for who I like best and so do most others who are civic minded enough to show up regularly for those elections. We just didn't like Sanders and they seem to have a hard time reconciling themselves to that reality.

The two party system IS problematic, what with fewer and fewer people identifying with either. The Democratic Party (and GOP) is more a coalition than a party now. BOTH parties need to find ways to reconcile themselves with this reality or continue to pay the price. Sanders was a warning shot to the Dems. I don't know if the GOP will even survive Trump.

I REALLY think that fixing the gerrymander districts (and both parties are guilty of gerrymandering) would go a LONG way toward fixing the discontent we see in the general population. That is the main problem, IMO. The Dem Party and all of us should get behind making non-partisan boundaries committees a reality in all states. Parties lose a little power doing that, but they get to survive and it will tamp down discontent in the general population. Plus is is what our country needs right now for democracy to function again. Compromise is good.

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
13. I just as soon political parties were not involved in the district boundaries.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:06 AM
Jun 2016

Or at least make it very difficult for them to based it on whether it benefits them. It would be better if it was non-partisan and it followed specific requirements and best reflected the overall state. So the deviation of the voting population should should be minimal when compared to the state legislative bodies. Also, as an example a state has 50 senate districts and 100 house districts they require that two house districts must fit completely within a senate district.

displacedtexan

(15,696 posts)
22. Considering that lots of new voters either didn't register or learn about their state's party rules,
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 02:02 PM
Jun 2016

I doubt that supers were even on their radar until BS used their existence as proof every state he lost was rigged. If someone made a list of his excuses throughout the primary season, supers would just be one of many, many reasons he thinks he was cheated.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
16. I think it would be best if only actual Democrats can run as the Democratic nominee.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:12 AM
Jun 2016

I'm pretty pissed off that my donations to the DNC were used to denigrate the DNC and my party.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
18. they are essentially the 'republic' part of a democracy. We are not nationally
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:59 AM
Jun 2016

a direct democracy. Nor are we on the state level. Nor are we on the party level.

robbedvoter

(28,290 posts)
19. 🐘🐘 right now would give anything to have them too
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 12:51 PM
Jun 2016

and if the attempt to take over the party by an interloper teaches us something is just how useful they may end up being. They had no role in this election - beyond rhetoric. But for future Sanders out there, bent on destroying the D party - I say, let's have more of them!

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
21. Absoutely, any kook could use our party to legitimize their run!
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 01:41 PM
Jun 2016

2016 proves our vulnerability. We need to start enforcing the existing rules more.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
25. Before there were the primaries the nominee was determined by the committe.
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 05:51 PM
Jun 2016

Each super delegate is free to make their choice, yes it is democratic.

LiberalFighter

(50,865 posts)
28. It can be put that way. How can it be democratic when they are forced to support someone?
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 06:15 PM
Jun 2016

At least with those that are elected as delegates they voluntarily place their name on the ballot to support a specific candidate.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
31. I am sure if a super delegate does not have to accept the responsibility of being
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 08:42 PM
Jun 2016

A super delegate so they are not forced.

still_one

(92,122 posts)
26. Historically the super delegates always side with the candidate who won the most pledged delegates
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 05:55 PM
Jun 2016

Which part of "undemocratic" do they mean?

That Hillary has won the most votes, the most primaries, and the most pledged delegates

The ones who are being undemocratic are the ones who LOST the election

Ellen Forradalom

(16,159 posts)
35. They are in place to prevent entryism
Sun Jun 12, 2016, 11:38 PM
Jun 2016

and another George McGovern disaster.

Consider them the Senate to the pledged delegates' House.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Hillary Clinton»Their argument that the s...