Hillary backers, will you pledge to follow the 2008 Obama precedent?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

In 2008, Obama won more pledged delegates than Hillary by the end of the primary. Consequently, Super Delegates switched from Hillary to Obama and he thus won the nomination. So will you now pledge that if Bernie ends up in June with more pledged delegates, you will encourage the Super Delegates to follow suit?

[JoePhilly]

1. Yes ... Will bernie supporters do the same?

From what I hear on DU, no, they won't.

Instead, they'll demand those SDs switch to Bernie anyway.

[morningfog]

5. SDs can't be demanded and they aren't bound by any standard.

They are undemocratic and useless. If the candidate trailing in PDs wants to take it to the convention and pitch to the SDs, I say go for it.

[JoePhilly]

8. Apparently, they are very important.

Or Bernie fans wouldn't want to flip them if he doesn't have a majority of PDs.

Which is interesting given that Bernie supporters were absolutely sure, and very angry, believing that the SDs would push Hillary over the top if Bernie was leading in PDs.

[morningfog]

18. SDs are not a monolithic voting body.

I am interested to see how they would, individually and collectively, vote under different circumstances. They should be done away with because, historically, they have been wholly irrelevant. If they were to step in to block a PD winner, they would be undemocratic.

But they are currently in place and can vote for any or no reason, so let's have it out.

[bigtree]

20. polling is showing a larger percentage of Sanders folks saying they won't pitch in

...it's never been an issue at DU as long as I've been here.

The 2016 difference is that the jury has allowed so many Bernie or Bust posts to flourish and fester... and the way Bernie's been canonized by his supporters as everyone's best version of FDR .

[geek tragedy]

2. that is the only acceptable outcome--pledged delegate winner is the nominee, and the pledged

delegate loser drops out and endorses as soon as they've lost. Depending on margin, that would be either June 8 or June 15.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

3. Thank you.

Given the corrupt Hillary Victory fund, Corporate Media spin and voter suppression, this is not even close to a fair fight. But I'll take it. Let's talk after California.

[morningfog]

4. In that case the supers are wholly irrelevant.

Useless and silly. Should be done away with.

[geek tragedy]

7. they should be put inside glass that reads "break for use in emergency only"

it's not that inconceivable that someone could Trump this party just like what's going on in the RNC field--winning a plurality in a divided field but absolutely despised and unacceptable to a strong majority.

And probably restricted to officials who face the voters regularly--governors, mayors, members of congress.

[JoePhilly]

9. + 1

[Admiral Loinpresser]

10. You make a reasonable case.

The Super Delegates do provide a checks-and-balances option against the possibility of Trump or Lyndon Larouche, etc. mounting a successful insurgency. Glad we can agree on something. Truly!

[geek tragedy]

11. we agree on much more than on which we disagree.

primary season just highlights the divisions

[Admiral Loinpresser]

14. Yes we do! n/t

[morningfog]

19. That would still be unnecessary.

If a candidate had a plurality in a divided field, they would not reach the majority on the first round vote, subsequent rounds would lead to a winner.

[geek tragedy]

21. yes, but a smaller group of SDs (maybe 200-250) could help guide

the process and help it retain legitimacy since they're still elected officials.

It seemed like a really far-fetched scenario until this year.

[Agschmid]

15. They should be, I agree.

[Tarc]

6. Of course

[DesertRat]

12. YES, of course

We can't risk a Trump or Cruz presidency! I am a Democrat and will vote for our nominee.

Will you ask the same of Sanders' backers?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

16. Yes. n/t

[Agschmid]

13. Sure.

Whomever has the pledged delegate lead should be the nominee.

[bigtree]

17. if that happens

...I'll need a new pair of galoshes.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

24. California won't be freezing in June.

Despite the corrupt Hillary Victory Fund, the corrupt Corporate Media and Wall Street, we are working to make it Bern.

[bigtree]

25. meh

...second-rate senator running a second-rate campaign.

Two and a half million more votes...that has to bern.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

26. "Second-rate??"

Why? Because he is not bought and sold like all the prostitutes passing themselves off as public servants?

[bigtree]

27. sounds like religion

...not even the good old time kind.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

29. I base my support on research.

Ever read a biography on Gore? I read three in making my decision. That was the last time I was interested in voting for president before this cycle.

Have you researched Hillary on climate change? Fracking? Wall Street? Racial justice in the '90's? North Carolina in 2008? Do you know how many positions she has reversed 180 degrees in eight years? Ever hear of Annie Oakley? Do you know what the Hillary Victory fund does? How much research have you done?

[bigtree]

30. fcs

...give it a rest.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

32. I thought so. n/t

[bigtree]

35. blocked

...saw that coming, didn't you?

[CorkySt.Clair]

38. On Gore

Just curious, but who did you decide to vote for in 2000 after reading 3 books on Gore?

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Well I got news for you

the Democratic primary is going to matter this year in CA... shhh don't tell anybody, but so will the Republican one.

The last time the democratic primary one mattered was 1992. The last time it mattered for the Rs it was 1980. So yes, we are having a pretty strong arctic blast. Gosh we are even having two presidential rallies in San Diego no less in 2 weeks.

So yes, we are going to matter, sorry... to disappoint. That has not changed my voting strategy, who I vote for... is for delegate count.

[onehandle]

22. Science fiction. See: Math. nt

[Nye Bevan]

23. The superdelegates should respect the democratic wishes of the primary voters,

and support whichever candidate wins the most popular votes. Simple, defensible, and democratic.

[WhiteTara]

28. Tell Raul Grivala to switch his vote then.

[NCTraveler]

31. I only see Sanders supporters arguing against this.

Let me take that back, the marching orders to subvert PD's are coming from Sanders and Weaver themselves.

Of course I think SD's should back the person who is ahead in PD's at the convention.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

33. And Obama in 2008. n/t

[NCTraveler]

34. Obama had most PD's. Correct? He then got an overwhelming majority of the SD's. Correct?

Again, I have not seen one Clinton supporter in this election make the case that SD's should vote against who has a majority of the PD's. Yet the argument is made by the Sanders campaign and its supporters daily.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

42. I saw such a Clinton supporter yesterday on TV.

And a Super Delegate to boot.

[MineralMan]

36. Sure. If Bernie gets the majority of

pledged voters, I will expect the superdelegates to confirm him as the nominee. I doubt that will happen, though.

I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November. That's been my pledge all along. How about you? If Hillary has the majority of pledged delegates at the convention, will you encourage the superdelegates to vote for her?

[Admiral Loinpresser]

45. I won't agree to it unless Super Delegates pledge to it before June.

This is the most undemocratic primary by either party I have seen in 50 years of following politics, so fairness is basically irrelevant in my view.

[leftynyc]

37. Yes, of course

Now ask the same of Bernie supporters.

[senz]

39. Issue thread replies are all Bernie, election threads are full of Hill fans.

It is so telling.

[DesertRat]

40. The thread title called for "Hillary backers" to reply. nt

[taught_me_patience]

41. The leader in the pledged delegates

Should get the nomination unless something drastic and damaging its revealed and the candidate refuses to drop out.

[Lil Missy]

43. That's not going to happen, he's too far behind.