Does anyone know what happens with Edwards' 26 pledged delegates?

[TheDoorbellRang]

If he endorses one candidate or the other, are they then pledged to that candidate? Or are they free now to jump whichever way they wish?

Is there some protocol here? Thanks in advance for any info, as I haven't been able to find any.

[Horse with no Name]

1. They are his until the convention unless he endorses someone

They cannot jump anywhere.

[TheDoorbellRang]

2. Do you know if they are bound by whoever he endorses?

I'd assumed he would hold on to them until the convention. But then what's the protocol? I haven't been able to find anything on this.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Yes. IF he endorses

the candidates go to who he endorses. He earned them and they are his to do with as he wishes.

[TheDoorbellRang]

4. Thanks!

That sounds right to me, too, but darned if I can find this info anywhere.

[OzarkDem]

6. In the first round of voting

after the first round of voting, those candidates are free to support candidates of their choice.

There will doubtless be more than one vote during the convention since neither candidate has or can win enough delegates to win the first time around.

[KittyWampus]

9. you're wrong. Edwards is essentially irrelevant since he came short of 15%

[KittyWampus]

7. this is incorrect. Edwards' pledged delegates are not his since he failed to achieve 15%

[KittyWampus]

5. NO, he had to achieve 15% which he failed to do.

[TheDoorbellRang]

12. Could you elaborate please?

And perhaps give some links, too, please. So far we're no for'arder ahead with all statements and no sources. Thanks. :hi:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Obama gets 'em!

:woohoo:

[TheDoorbellRang]

14. Great answer!

But again, no link. Alas! :D

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. A minor sticking point.

:D

[frazzled]

10. I believe there are only 16 (10 are apportioned between the two remaining candidates)

And remember, a delegate is never BOUND to vote a certain way, though most elected delegates do live up to their pledge.

[TheDoorbellRang]

13. Where is that from? I hadn't heard that

According to CNN's tally, Edwards got 14 in IA, 4 in NH, and 8 in SC. None of these have been added to Obama's or Clinton's tallies to date, according to the news sources in DemConWatch.

So far we've got three opinions on what happens to these delegates. Oy!

[Hart2008]

20. I think primary delegates are his, but caucus delegates aren't final until the state convention.

Caucuses like Iowa have several rounds of voting. The 14 Iowa delegates weren't won in January, but were only projections of how many delegates Edwards should win at the final state convention. Once he suspended his campaign, it becomes likely that his support will shift to the other candidates in the later rounds.

[stop the bleeding]

11. He has pledged them to:

my one eyed cat named Peeps.

Peeps is strong on Nat Security, he has proven himself as a uniter, he has a solid healthcare plan, plus he has been against the Iraq War since before he was born.

All in all I think Edwards has made a great choice in selecting Peeps.

Peeps/Christopher Walkin for 08

[IndianaGreen]

15. I think Edwards only suspended his campaign

which means his delegates should vote for him. The pledge is only good for the first ballot, after which they are free to do whatever they want.

[TheDoorbellRang]

17. So they are out of play until the convention

And then become free agents, so to speak, if and when there is a second ballot. Would you say that they are under no constraints then to vote for whomever Edwards might endorse?

I hate to keep picking at this, but it seems that if these delegates are free agents, then they essentially become mini super D's.

Surprising with all the info on the election process out there, we can't come up with any links on this aspect.

Thanks for the input. :hi:

[IndianaGreen]

18. After the first ballot they can do what they want. If Edwards endorses anyone before convention

then the pledged delegates are free of their obligation.

[krawhitham]

16. technically

no pledged delegate is locked to anyone, they are not bound by the vote. 99.9% of the time they stay the way the were voted on.