Sanders supporters' courtship of Clinton superdelegates may be backfiring

[riversedge]

Source: reuters.com




Top News
Mon Feb 29, 2016 | 5:46 AM EST


Sanders supporters' courtship of Clinton superdelegates may be backfiring


By Luciana Lopez

(Reuters) - Backers of Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders have launched a campaign to win over some of his rival Hillary Clinton's most prized supporters - the superdelegates that can make the difference in a tight race for the party's nomination.

But some emails, phone messages, and petitions sent by the Sanders boosters have backfired, upsetting superdelegates with their aggressive tone and leading many to dig in their heels for Clinton, according to interviews conducted by Reuters.

The drive to flip Clinton's super delegates has not been sanctioned by Sanders' campaign, his spokesman Michael Briggs said.
...............................

However, the unofficial push could complicate the U.S. Senator from Vermont's efforts to woo the critical bloc in the coming months.

The effort has at times taken an angry tone, some of the messages reviewed by Reuters showed, reflecting the anti-establishment tinge of the 2016 presidential race where many voters are unhappy with Washington insiders. ................................

Read more: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSMTZSAPEC2TAP0RGD

[snooper2]

1. Or in other words, he is making some career politicians have a sad

[riversedge]

12. part of the backfire

[BlueMTexpat]

2. Some still do NOT understand

that they will reap what they sow.

[Dustlawyer]

3. The only thing that will tempt them is doing well! Super Tuesday will still be rough because

many minorities still don't know him. That will change, but not in time for tomorrow. His better states come after that.

[DhhD]

4. Backfiring to contact a Superdelegate? It seems about time to hold them accountable. Clinton

has made many huge Left of Bernie flip flops since her April 2015 announcement to run for President. Should she be made the nominee and then become President and then flip back Right, the supperdelegates and delegates should be called out publicly and/or primaried. They should be blamed when a Democrat primaries Hillary Clinton in 2020: that is if she is lying now to get elected.

Republicans are going to say she is lying. She received a warning on national corporate media; ABC New Anchor, Scott Pelley, ask her on national evening news, if she has lied to the American People. If Clinton loses the election or if she has lied to the American People, supperdelegates and Clinton need to be voted out of office or removed from the Democratic Committees.

The American People are angry and they are going to be coming with pitchforks for the Oligarchy if Clinton fails to bring in a Democratic Senate and Presidency of, by, and for the People. Let us all be careful where we place ourselves in critical History. Sanders supporter have no, and I mean NO liability, in the Clinton third way New Democrat, DNC Movement to the Right.

[George II]

6. Many of the Super Delegates are elected officials. They have....

....already been held accountable by their constituents through the ballot box.

[DhhD]

10. They were voted in before the election in Nov 2016 and can vote anyway they choose. Their

next election is when they are accountable. The one in which a sitting President may be primaried. The opposing candidate may proclaim that the delegates were mislead or flat out wrong.

The pitchforks are coming for the Oigarchy over war, social security and poverty.

[Laser102]

5. Bernie's supporters are ruining his chances. Being mean and aggressive are turn offs.

[DhhD]

8. Superdelegates are gambling if they refuse to accept their responsibility to cover for the best

Last edited Mon Feb 29, 2016, 12:17 PM - Edit history (1)

interest for minorities and the poor. It is a responsibility, to their constituents, not to the voters. The voters can vote the down ticket leaving the Presidential box empty.

For hypothetical instance, in voting for Clinton, you are voting for a huge Middle Eastern War. Leaving the Presidential box empty means that you can blame Trump for the same war. Rationale: the voter did not vote for war. And the voter then does not accept the blame for the privatization of Social Security, limited Doctor Office Visits-Hillarycare except for the poor that Clinton has written off, Welfare Reform-the $10.10 wage just enough to move the poor above the poverty line but below a living wage. Let the Superdelegates take responsibility for sending our youth off to war if their parents cannot be approved for co-signing a college loan (Vietnam lesson).

America has become way to poor for Hillary Clinton. America is much poorer than in 1991-92. Delegates need to vote the truth.

[jzola]

15. I totally agree!

[DhhD]

17. Is the Clinton Campaign going to make a statement about quotes that Superdelegates will be

responsible for later? Which superdelegates want to take on such a responsibility. Is that what you are
agreeing with? Can you name them? Thank you.

[DhhD]

9. Anger is playing the victim. Making excuses? Leave office; a delegate is accountable to their

constituents first and then the voters, even if they believe that their decision only benfits themselves and to hell with (or off to war with) their constituents.

[Gregorian]

11. This is ridiculous. It's like saying your vote might count if like you.

I was totally against contacting the superdelegates. I don't know whose idea this was. But this is testament to a messed up voting system that has to be brought out of the 18th century, or whenever it was devised.

[DhhD]

13. Superdelegate versus the voters, who can leave the Presidential Box blank, thus the voter takes no

responsibility but set up the removal of the down ticket Senate and House, of 14% approval rating, and the check and balance of State and Local Lawmakers and Delegates. This is a Constitutional solution; all Rights of American citizens.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. Elected officials who are offended that voters speak their minds to them have apparently forgotten

what 'elected' means. It means their 'power' and 'status' is on loan from and derived exclusively from the very people they are whining about having a bad 'tone'.

[LeFleur1]

19. Not Sure...

where you'd find a person that wouldn't be offended by some of the Sanders supporters. Some of them, certainly not all, but I'd guess the most vocal, are offensive.

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. "May be backfiring"?

I'm not surprised that some superdelegates will stick with Clinton. Undoubtedly some think she is the best choice. I think what many Sanders supporters, myself included, are concerned about is that right now he is not getting proportionate support of the superdelegates compared to the primary and caucus results.

Clinton's pledged delegates 23+9+20+39=91
Sanders' pledged delegates 21+15+15+14=65

So, the current pledged delegate breakdown is 58.3% Clinton and 41.7% Sanders. But the currently Sanders only has around 20 superdelegates; not 20% - just 20. So, personally, I think it's okay to let superdelegates who are undecided or could be persuaded to switch to Sanders. I'm a "catch more flies with honey" kind of gal, so my appeals will be POSITIVE. I will let the superdelegates know why I think Sanders is the best candidate. No threats. No Clinton bashing. Just my humble opinion.

[DhhD]

18. Being Positive Is Always The Best.

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. I don't think you'll see any "switches" of consequence.

[DhhD]

22. We do have a complacent Congress with a 14% approval rating. no text

[GreatGazoo]

21. "If you don't stop asking me to switch..why I'lll....I'll...I'll vote for Hillary" = "Backfire" ?!