What is the reason for having Superdelegates?

[redqueen]

Can anyone explain the need for some people to have more influence than others (besides in the Electoral College, that is)?

It seems that most delegates are earned through votes, but these Superdelegates can do whatever they like -- how much power do they wield? How many voters have to agree on a candidate before they can gain even one delegate? Why does the Superdelegate have the same power as that many voters? Isn't their power greater, since they can change their minds at any time, unlike primary voters?

Is it just me or does this seem very undemocratic?

[cspiguy]

1. I bet to insure that the "right" guy gets nominated.

(See Kennedy '60 - and they got it right, too.)

[redqueen]

2. Kennedy's nomination was that close?

I need to do some research.

[rucky]

3. Same reason we have Supermodels n/t

[morgan2]

4. so the party controls the party..

not them crazy people. Gotta be sure they don't nominate someone crazy.

[Nederland]

5. It is undemocratic

It was created by party leaders specifically because they were afraid that primary voters would nominate someone who was "unelectable". In reality, superdelegates have overridden primary voter wishes and nominated a party insider that has a lesser chance of winning the election. Case in point, 1984. Gary Hart actually won more delegates via the primary process than Walter Mondale. Furthermore, polling at the time of the convention showed him beating Reagan by 15 pts but Mondale losing by 5pts. Inspite of all this evidence that Hart was a better pick, the superdelegates swung the convention vote to Mondale and we all know what happened...

[redqueen]

6. This is exactly what I feared

*sigh*

I'm glad I was only 15 at the time, and was unaware of this. Or I would probably never have been a Dem.

:(

[MuseRider]

7. I am glad you asked

this question. I had not gotten this far yet in my thinking. This really sounds stinky, it is hard to imagine after all these years that I really had no idea about this.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

16. This is in NO way undemocratic

1) You choose to participate in the party or you choose not to.
2) No candidate is forced to be a part of the party and can run independently.
3) In a majority of the cases, YOU elected the Superdelegates! In the case of party leaders, they are usually elected by as well, though not through a governmental process.
4) Want a candidate that doesn't win the primary? Start a movement to get him on the ballot anyway!

Democracy is in no way impeded through the primary and does not preclude any person legally eligible that wishes to run for the Presidency to do so in the general election. He merely does not get the support, funding, or blessing of OUR party.

[BOHICA06]

8. Because some animals ...

are more equal than others & cigars have gone out of style

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. In the event that no candidate has a majority

They can prevent a messy convention fight.

[TacticalPeek]

10. Can't let this democracy thing get out of hand, you know.

:(

[elvisbear]

11. Delegate selection process described on CNN.com

If you can figure this out, more power to ya. ;)

The delegate selection process on CNN.com

[buckeye1]

12. Super Delegates.

Most of them are present or past winners. If you have not noticed ,that is the object of the profession of politics. Others are people who,rather than run,work hard for the party behind the scenes.

This only applies to the Democratic party. God only knows how that other thing works.(Republicans)

Years ago, there were no primaries or caucuses. In those days ,super delegates were the party "bosses" and they decided everything.

Examples of these folks would be all members of Congress, all Governors,Mayors of major cities and of course former Presidents, governors, Senators and on and on.

You raise a good question. It would seem that there might be more of the above types than there are places for the next 807 super delegates.

I would have to bet that Zell Miller will not be in this august group.

Any takers?

[goobergunch]

13. Superdelegates include:

Members of Congress
Former Presidents and Vice Presidents
Governors
DNC Members
Former Congressional Democratic Leaders
Former DNC Chairpeople

[redqueen]

14. Thanks for all the input!

All I can say is that now, more than ever, I'm for one person = one vote. :)

[For PaisAn]

15. It's absurdly undemocratic

The original intention may have been to have a plan B in case us voters pick a candidate that the Party feels is not right or that can't win against the other party. I think it's wrong. I think electing Electors is wrong also. Just count all the damn votes and the one with the most, wins. Oh wait, forget that, we now have BBV, what was I thinking?