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.
I thought our Constitution guaranteed government by the people and for the people. Let the vote of the people be the deciding factor, not superdelegates. The more I read, the more it becomes clear that the superdelegates are a group of politicans that only want to enforce their own will, regardless the vote of the people.
I think it behooves the Super Delegates to consider the possible amount of voter’s remorse among Obama supporters since the Wright revelation, and that could sway them to support Clinton.
Having super delegates by the democrats to have large money donors have more effect on an election than the popular vote, one person, one vote contradicts the peoples choice. I will never vote for a democrat as long as I live so long as there are “super delegates”. If super delegates are going to determine the election of a presidential candidate, then why should we even have a caucas or a primary election? Clinton and Obama are both a disgrace to the true intention of our political process. In my opinion, they both ara narcistic power hungry duds with no intention of serving the wishes of the people; just their own ego driven agendas.
I would like to know who the “Fat Cats” are, and what do they have to gain by supporting Clinton
The News Media has been a disgrace in reporting this election and how unfairly Hillary Clinton has been portrayed, The Democratic Party better watch its step with its Democartic supporters such as much self and the millions out there who need our support and money, please point this out on the media and Nancy Pelosi you need to step down from your high horse and remmeber who put you in that seat you hold. Hillary is in this not you super mouth.
thanks,
Andy Colon
distgusting
Nancy Pelosi is a Nut anyway. The rule is that Superdeligates vote on their own - not to be swayed by anything but their good instincts and who would make a better leader. She is clearly leading the way for Obama however, Obama and his Pastor would not bring this country together - his pastor made that very clear. Nancy Pelosi is afraid if Hillary gets in she will be fired, as she should. If they insist on following the rules with Florida and Michigan then follow the rules with the superdeligates. Bottom line.
Superdelegates, what a great idea!
There is no way that the Clintons or the white establishment is letting Obama get this nomination. Love him or hate him Rev Wright knows of what he speaks. White Americans ain’t electing no Brotha to be President!
Name names. Who were the people who signed the letter?
Money talks!!!!