Top Clinton Supporters Warn Pelosi Over Superdelegate Statements
WASHINGTON — Twenty top Democratic donors who are supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a letter asking her to retract her comments on superdelegates and stay out of the Democratic fight over their role in the presidential race.
In their letter, Clinton’s supporters said superdelegates “must look to not one criterion but to the full panoply of factors that will help them assess who will be the party’s strongest nominee in the general election.”
The letter also noted the donors “have been strong supporters” of the House Democrats’ fundraising arm. “We therefore urge you to clarify your position on superdelegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional independent actions of each of the delegates at the national convention in August.”
Pelosi, who has not endorsed either candidate as chair of the Democratic National Convention, said during a March 16 appearance on ABC’s “This Week” that it would be harmful to the party if superdelegates don’t support the pledged delegate winner.
“This is an untenable position that runs counter to the party’s intent in establishing superdelegates in 1984,” the letter from the wealthy Clinton backers said.
No matter what the outcome of the 10 remaining contests, it will be nearly impossible for Clinton to overcome rival Barack Obama’s lead in pledged delegates, because they are awarded proportionally based on the outcome.
So it will be up to the nearly 800 superdelegates — party activists and elected officials who aren’t bound by any vote — to put one of the two candidates over the mark of 2,024 delegates needed to win the nomination. Obama has 1,406 pledged delegates to Clinton’s 1,249, according to The Associated Press count.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “This letter is inappropriate and we hope the Clinton campaign will reject the insinuation contained in it.”
“Regardless of the outcome of the nomination fight, Senator Obama will continue to urge his supporters to assist Speaker Pelosi in her efforts to maintain and build a working majority in the House of Representatives,” Burton said.
Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said Clinton had made the case superdelegates should exercise independent judgment about who would be the best for the party and the country.
“Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign,” he said.
The letter was first reported by the political blog Talking Points Memo.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
This letter from Sen Clinton’s supporters sounds like a threat against Speaker Pelosi. I am no supporter of the Speaker but I find this letter to be very inappropriate. Speaker Pelosi is entitled to her opinion in this matter.
we have two issues here……one being nancy pelosi is the worst speaker of the house ever……..and hillary clinton trying every tactic possible to steal a nomination…..this is vintage democratic behavior…..kind of like day care for adults……fellow republicans let’s all have a good laugh at this cheap and foolish behavior and put john mccain in the white house in november…….2008 is going to be a great year………
I couldn’t agree more. The situation is different now NOW that people are beginning to know more of Obama’s skeletons in his closet. He’s no longer electable as before. He has deep serious issues — a lot more serious than Hillary’s. He already admitted that he had deep relationship with Rezko and he obtained a lot more donations from him. He lied in many ocassions — how his mom and dad met, the life magazine, rezko donations, nafta, etc, etc. Hillary lied in simple things like Bosnia an they made too much out of it. AMEN. All of my friends, officemates, associates who voted for Obama have finally made up their minds not to vote for him anymore.
A good example of how the Democrat party have started to eat their own.
The Clintons are once again THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVEN!
Thier has never been a more corrupt pair since bonny and clide.
jimmy
I hope Nancy sticks to her guns and does what is right for the party which is supporting the will of the people. This tactic by the Clinton donors is outrageous, yet predictable.
For the sake of the Democratic Party Clinton had better get out of the race for the nomination.
I think the National Committee should put the preasure on her to get out of this race.
It is quite obivious that the percentage of American Public is not there for her to win the Presidency.
All the committee has to do is read the Blogs in any newspaper and any poll that has been taken regarding this nomination and election.
The Party has been split and if she stays in the race there will be no time to recover by the November Election.
The Obama people are are group of whining hypocrites. They think a letter stating the facts is inappropriate, Inappropiate is Rev. Wright. Obama was saying WORDS MATTER. Now he doesnt think so. This man and his supporters are disingenious ; to use another of Obamas favorite words. Bill and Hillary have done a lot for the party and no matter what people thought of Bill as a president the good ole USA was a lot better off economically during his Presidency than either Bush. Quit bashing the Clintons, just for something to say. You women and girls who think it is so great to bash a person you do not even know should be ashamed of yourselves. Hillary Clinton is a strong hard working and very intelligent woman and a lot of people resent her for it including a lot of women. There is no doubt in my mind that if she was a man she would ber the next President. Go HILLARY
What would Clinton’s delegate count be if Michigan and Flordia are counted? Regardless of what the DNC says, they should have their voice and they have already given it! How would this change the delegate count.
You got to be kidding me. How far will that family(Clinton) fall down the path of inappropriate remarks. There is no way as I walk this earth I would vote for Hillery if she gets the nomination.
Doug