Why Is Clinton Suggesting That Pledged Delegates Can Flip "Just Like Superdelegates"?

[DrFunkenstein]

The campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) insisted Tuesday that it is not urging delegates pledged to Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) to switch sides and cast their votes at the Democratic National Convention for the former first lady.

Clinton noted Monday that pledged delegates are not bound, in many states, to vote for the candidate selected by voters.

Facing a sizeable delegate deficit with only a few states remaining, the New York senator’s campaign is searching for ways to convince the media and observers that it can still win, as many have begun to write off her chances in recent weeks.

The former first lady, who also made a similar statement earlier this month, repeated it in an interview Monday with the Philadelphia Daily News editorial board, in response to a question about how she can win the delegate math.

“And also remember that pledged delegates in most states are not pledged,” Clinton said, as reported by the Daily News. “You know, there is no requirement that anybody vote for anybody. They’re just like superdelegates.”

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/clinton-camp-says-its-not-luring-obamas-pledged-delegates-2008-03-25.html

This is someone who was calling Obama "un-American" because she refused to allow caucuses in Michigan and Florida? What happened to allowing the voters to have their say? Why would she even publicly float the idea that she could make some backroom deals to get party insiders to flip their pledged delegates against the choice of the voters?

I am seriously wondering if the Clintons will have ANY credibility left after this race.

[Yes We Did]

1. Because it's all she has left.

[leftofcool]

2. Because they can

[DrFunkenstein]

10. They Can Also Crap in a Bag and Throw It At Obama

But that doesn't mean its a good choice.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MonkeyFunk]

17. Oooh!

I'm all tingly with unity!

[TwilightGardener]

4. I think the SD's should note that she seems to be ratcheting up her

destructive game--when will they stop this?

[thoughtcrime1984]

They will flock to Obama from her, if anything. What will she not do to win? nt

[Vinca]

5. Why do we bother with primaries if the elected delegates can

change their vote? Next time, let's pull straws for it. Maybe Kucinich would have won after all.

[fifthoffive]

6. Good

Maybe she's going to release all of her pledged delegates to Obama. }(

[billybob537]

11. Or flying monkeys!

[billybob537]

7. Desperate, delusional, and rationalizing!

Bah-Bye Hillary, Don't let the snipers get you on your way out!

[Diane R]

8. Because she's desperate, shameless, and narcissistic?

[blogslut]

9. Because Texas is holding its county delegate conventions this Saturday

BS Jr. is an alternate and has already received a phone call, polling her choice on Obama vs Clinton. She's an alternate for Obama. She will be at the convention Saturday, as will all the other Obama delegates and alternates.

Ms. Clinton's attempts to sway delegates that pledged for Obama will fail. And the news after Saturday's convention will not be favorable to her.

[Debi]

16. Ding ding ding!

It didn't work for her in Iowa and it won't work in Texas! :hi:

[juajen]

12. I believe the rule is that on first roll call, all delegates vote

the way the election decrees; but, on second vote, delegates can vote any way they like. Sorry, folks, I believe this is right. The fact is, they are not bound. It is frowned upon, but I have seen it done at other conventions. I don't remember which. Maybe someone else will.

Obviously, this is a surprising election. We have two candidates who are very close to the nomination and it could come down to how they feel the GE would go with one nominee or the other. Each state will caucus at the convention and make those decisions for their states. If all it took was a count, why would the delegates even have to go?

[C_U_L8R]

13. Why would anyone flip to her ???

If anything, I would think they'd all be flipping for Obama.

What an odd tactic for her to attempt.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. Because They Know It Takes a Dynasty to Clean Up a Dynasty

She's toast.

[Cha]

15. hilary is talking a mile a minute to let the clinton

money spigot know that they better not cut her off or she's dead in the water.

[Khaotic]

18. County and beyond conventions

Yep .. that probably it.

Here in Iowa Obama netted more delegates in the county convention. Most were from Edwards' delegates.

That won't be the case in Texas, but Hillary could get some Obama delegates to go over to her side.

I'm betting the opposite will happen though.

The individuals at the conventions aren't Joe Sixpack people. They're people who are active in the party.

It takes a certain kind of individual who cares enough to causus, let alone go the extra step to the county convention.

Obama will probably pick up more delegates.