Howard Dean On Super-Delegates: "Their role is ..."

[MaineDem]

I got this in an email from one of our DNC members. I don't know where the article is from, sorry.

By Greg Sargent - February 16, 2008, 10:17AM

The Democratic National Committee has given me what appears to be
Howard Dean's most extensive and detailed answer to date on the role of
super-delegates amid the ongoing battle between Hillary and Obama for
their support.

Dean's verdict: "Their role is to exercise their best judgment in the
interests of the nation and of the Democratic Party."

Yesterday, I posed a question to the DNC: Does Dean think that the
super-dels should support the candidate who ends up with the most
pledged dels, or should the super-dels feel free to support whichever
candidate they think is best for the party and the nation?

The DNC sent over this answer from Dean, which I'm quoting in full:

Some commentators have misrepresented who the “superdelegates”
are and what their role is supposed to be. While it's premature to
speculate what will happen as the process continues to unfold given that
there are still over 1,000 pledged delegates yet to be selected, let’s
look at who Undpledged delegates or "super delegates" are.

They are a diverse group of individuals who come from all parts of
the country and all walks of life. They are local grassroots activists,
county Party chairs, and local elected officials. They include all
members of the DNC, all Democratic Members of Congress and all
Democratic Governors, and a few former party leaders - all of whom have
been elected by the people of their states and districts. Virtually all
members of the DNC have been elected by their state party committees or
Conventions, who in turn have been elected by grassroots Democratic
voters. These members of the DNC have earned their positions by doing
the difficult, unglamorous work of building the party organization day
in and day out, when nobody is paying attention, year after year.

Their role is to exercise their best judgment in the interests of
the nation and of the Democratic Party. I am confident that they will
carry out that duty responsibly and in accordance with the highest
values of our democracy and our Party.

So, unlike other party leaders, such as Nancy Pelosi and John Lewis,
Dean is not calling on the super-dels to follow the pledged dels. He
doesn't explicitly endorse the position of either Obama or Hillary --
which is perhaps to be expected, given his position -- but he does say
that "their role is to exercise their best judgment."

[Demeter]

1. Good Luck On That!

I can see our Superdelegates from Congress, exercising their best judgment! The Impeachment Is Off the Table Group? :sarcasm:

[MaineDem]

2. I don't think the electeds should be automatic delegates

They often work at cross purposes with the Party. And they are much more susceptible to "influence". I'm not say it happens but it could.

[Demeter]

5. It's not Like We the People Have a Say on That

It's already decided, by those in power, that they shall be delegates.

It's hard enough trying to turn Congress--imagine trying to take over the Democratic Party?

Augean stables doesn't begin to describe it. I admire Dr.Dean for even trying. I trust him to do the right thing, for the good of the Party and the country.

[MaineDem]

7. But we can influence those who do make the decisions

I've contacted each of my state's DNC members. They will vote on this so I want them to be sure to know that I'm concerned about it.

We ARE the Democratic Party. We elect those who make the decisions when we elect our DNC members.

[Selatius]

3. Is it OK if the superdelegates vote against the popular will of the people?

I'm not talking in terms of this election cycle but in terms of how democratic do we want the system to be. How much democracy is the party structure ready for?

[Creideiki]

10. Given closed primaries, I'd be inclined to agree

However, when many of the primaries are open--Republicans and other non-Democrats (independents, Greens, Libertarians) can vote in the Democratic primaries. There's also the issue of, say, Nevada, where Hillary got the most votes in the caucuses, but Barack gets the most delegates. The super-delegates have a really tough row to hoe here. So the question is, do you leave the party open to potential influence by individuals who have no interest in Democratic values or do you leave the party open to potential influence by individuals who have a vested interest in Democratic values? I tend to be trusting, and it's possible for humans to make a flawed decision, but this isn't "betraying the small-d democracy!!!!1!!!11!"

[tekisui]

4. Highest value for the Party?

That sounds like an Obama endorsement!

[izzie]

6. Well I have always felt it is to give control to the big guys.

I will hope that these back room guys see that the party will be hurt if they do not go the way most of the people vote. It will drive the new voters to sit it out I think if they do this. We have all watched this when Bush came into office. More people wanted Gore. Look what we got. Sounds like Dean is getting us ready for these super guys to do just what they feel like doing. I am betting it will go with the money people. Power seems to like the status quo. Worked before etc. so why try any thing new. Obama still sounds like he is running for the WH and Clinton sounds like she is running to up stage Obama. Not to good for the party. Just a thought.

[TexasObserver]

8. Do the Right Thing. Catchy. Could be a film title.

did he mention 40 acres?

[stahbrett]

9. There's no way that the super-delegates would do the following:

Assume for a moment that Obama continues to maintain a lead in the normal delegates. Will the super-delegates tell Obama's supporters, including the most loyal Democratic demographic there is, African Americans, that they know what's best and that is to slap down Obama, winner of more delegates than anyone, in favor of Hillary Clinton? No way does that happen.

[TexasObserver]

11. The party elders and officials will not suicide the Party. They'll go Obama.

Change and Optimism

or

A Bridge Back to the Ways of Yester year?

Grow the Party base

or

Shrink it and shove out newcomers?

These are not hard choices for people who are standing for election in November.