Superdelegate storm likely to be short-lived

[gateley]

If 2004 is any guide, Democratic officials will migrate to front-runner

By Tom Curry
National affairs writer
MSNBC
updated 26 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Here’s a news flash: superdelegates do change their minds.

On Thursday Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a Democratic superdelegate, seemed to rescind his pledge to cast his vote at the convention for Sen. Hillary Clinton, switching instead to Sen. Barack Obama.

Democratic voters in his district supported Obama in the Feb. 5 primary, and, Lewis indicated to the New York Times that he would too.

But on Friday the Lewis situation became a muddle when his spokeswoman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the New York Times account was not accurate.

All this came just months after an October appearance with Clinton when Lewis said, “Without reservation or any hesitation I am proud to endorse Hillary Clinton to be the next Democratic nominee….”

snip

Free to choose
Dubbed “superdelegates,” they’re free to endorse whomever they want, to switch back and forth between contenders, or to wait until the convention to make their choices.

snip

Superdelegates are not chosen by means of primaries or caucuses, but are delegates by virtue of the elected offices they hold.

snip

Fears of 'the party elite'
“Will party insiders overturn your vote?” asked Charles Chamberlain, the political director of Democracy for America.

Lots more... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23184492/

[rinsd]

1. I've been saying that since this shit started.

The situations in which we will run into trouble with superdelegates vs "will of the people" (pop vote or delegates or both) will be an exceptionally close pledged delegate count and/or one candidate with a pledged delegate count lead while th3 other has the pop vote lead.

And all that is assuming MI & FL do not get seated.

[Bucky]

2. I agree. Superdelegates are this year's Y2K bug.

You can always count on pols to tap dance around a backlash.

[islandmkl]

3. you can bank on support for the front-runner...

everybody loves a winner. "And so castles made of sand slip in the sea...eventually." ahhh....Jimi

[K Gardner]

4. We're already seeing this transpire. I'm not worried about it.

[pinto]

5. Thanks for the find and the post. I agree, this is not as nefarious as some internet

- and television - talk has made it out to be. The system has flaws - show me one that doesn't - and a 'locked' convention could be edgy. Yet the system *can* be changed by party activists working at all levels, local, state and national. That includes you and I and the guy down the street.

The hyperbole has clouded the issue, imho.