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.
Dirty tricks are coming from all sides of the Clinton “entitlement” Campaign, but who’s afraid of Barbra Streisand??
I agree with Nancy and I hope that she is as strong as I think she is and will not bow to the Clinton Machine “Spin”. Threats and “misspoken” recollections have not place in this campaign - time to go home Hillary you are no longer helping the party, pack the ego up!
Surely we aren’t surprised by this! The only way Hillary is going to win is by arm twisting and trying her best to get delegates already pledged to Obama! You can bet if anyone owes them - they will be calling in the chips! If it works - what a great way to elect a President!
Superdelegates represent the rich in the Democratic Party. The one’s with the
big bucks. They are free to support the candidate they choose. ‘They’ being
the candidate the ‘rich’ want elected. Like it or not, it is the system they have
designed. Who said it was ‘democratic’ anyway, it’s all about power and money.
The party that controls government, controls the government’s purse strings.
Hillary should continue to run as an independent if the Dems deny to resolve the Michigan and Florida issues to let people of these states voice their own concerns. Well, worst for worst, Hillary should let friends and foes in the Dems to swallow a historic lesson of betrayal and prejudice against a woman candidate bitterly pressed down by a man made impenetrable glass ceiling. People all have a dream but most dreams are unreachable even in usa.
Nancy Pelosi would REALLY do alot for the American Public at large, as well as the Democratic Party, if she published the names of the deep-pocketed Clinton supporters who were signators to this “letter.”
We know who Pelosi wants for president.
If the superdelegates over ride the pledged delegates, then the citizens’ votes mean nothing. This will factor into foreing policy in that other nations will question the definition and value of “democracy” (after they stop laughing at us). Are we willing to chant “Hail to the thief” again?
Here come the Clinton BIG MONEY MEN threatening no further support for Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats that want fairness and common sense to prevail. It’s no surprise that the Clinton’s will lie, cheat and steal to get what they want. What a shame!
Pelosi fits in with obama & clinton. they are all idiots & should not have nothing to do with running our country.
A former democrat
The Clinton campaign will continue to make up rules as they go along. If the shoe was on the other foot and she was in the lead, she surely wouldnt be hollering about this nonsense. I have really been put off by her campaign tactics
OBAMA 2008!!