To: mistermj who wrote (668 ) 3/6/2008 10:23:41 PM From: MJ Respond to of 1090 "Team Obama argues that those superdelegates ought to go with the man who’s won more states and a bigger share of the popular vote. Why turn over the people’s decision to a bunch of suits in a smoke-filled room, it argues. "Primaries,Conventions,Delegates, Candidates o The popular vote for each state that holds a Party Primary election is represented by the delegates that were apportioned according to the allocation of the popular vote in the Primary for each candidate. ( i.e. Obama x # and Hillary y # ) o Physical delegates are not elected in the Primary but are later named in a Party Caucus----naming usually being voted on by their fellow caucus goers. (a second level of voting) o Super- delegates------are a combination of elected officials who are delegates by virtue of their political office plus delegates elected at-large at the state party caucuses, not the Primaries. These super-delegates are not bound by Convention rules to vote for a specific candidate as are the delegates elected at local Party caucus that reflects the votes in the Primary In a democratic, lower case democratic, convention the delegates-at-large would remain not-bound to vote for a specific candidate until the actual vote is taken at the National Convention. o In reality, these at-large-delegates usually will have pledged their support to one or the other candidates by the time the National Convention is held----pledged but not bound.Let's assume the following: o A candidate gets the majority of the popular vote. o In between the Primary elections and the National Convention there arise extentuating circumstances that make it impossible for her or him to represent the party o The Primary delegates are bound to a specific candidate, in other words, locked in according to the rules that existed when they were elected,-----that means they can not change their vote at the National Convention even if they desired In such a case, the at-large-delegates and elected officials who are super-delegates would serve as a safety-valve as they would not be committed to such a candidate at the convention . Final Comment: This Super-delegate label is one that divides people--------it gives the sense of being superior. It is unfortunate that such a term has been used to describe these delegates. These folks are delegates at-large elected at the State level or are elected officials. As such they are the leaders of the Party. Part of the initial rules allow for this recognition of leadership and wisdom to cast their vote as they think wise. Welcome feedback--------first draft of this. mj