Endorsements by Elected Officials before the Convention starts really suck.

[avaistheone1]

This is the people's country and the people's election. Our elected politicians should keep their mouths' shut until the convention has nominated their candidate. We do not need their spin or influence to select our candidate.

I really feel our democracy and particularly our elections are being taken away from the people inch by inch.

The power of super delegates and endorsements by elected officials of candidates before the convention is an abomination to our electoral system.

[MadBadger]

1. Arent the elected official's people do?

[avaistheone1]

2. I am told they are people. People drunk with power.

They should withhold their endorsement until the delegates decide. Normally most wait until the party nominates someone to make their endorsements.

[Joe the Revelator]

3. This is a lie

Plenty of endorsements go out every election cycle. Whats the point of endorsing at the convention, when the nominee has, normally, already been known for six month?

[onenote]

4. Gotta disagree here.

I see nothing wrong with elected officials endorsing candidates before or after a primary. In fact as hard as I try, I can't think of a single reason for them not to do so. I don't see them having any more 'inlfluence or spin' than any other well-known person who endorses a candidate. I daresay that the endorsement of HRC by RFK JR (not an elected official) is as influential if not moreso than Kerry's endorsement of Obama. What about former elected officials, like Gary Hart? Should he shut up? What about community leaders that aren't politicians? Union leaders? Celebrities? Why should an elected official's endorsement be seen as any different from those and what evidence is there that it is?

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I'm not wild about super delegates but okay with endorsements

[AshevilleGuy]

6. Once upon a time, we didn't know who the nominees were,

until the third night of the convention. Oh, sweet nostalgia.

I agree with you.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Couldn't disagree more

It's nice to know what officials line up behind what candidates.

It's always been done this way, and always will.

[RummyTheDummy]

8. I'm glad Kerry did what he did

But I also wonder sometimes if endorsements really matter at the end of the day.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. Not for most people

but there other benefits than just having the name behind you. For instance, they often share mailing and fundraising lists, which can be very valuable.