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.
If Pelosi wants to stay impartial she’s really doing a lousy job of it. Congress isn’t doing a very good job at anything except making statements and starting a committee to investigate something that’s more politically driven than anything else. It’s so obvious from her previous statements that she’s for Obama. Cat’s out of the bag she’s not fooling anyone. Dems should do away with this super delegates they really vote twice, once in the booth which should be secret then these “special” Americans get to vote again because the DNC says it’s ok because you meet some kind of criteria.
They all say that McCain isn’t on top of the Economy. What degree do they have that makes them better than the person they will appoint to deal with the Economy. It’s judgment on who you choose to be in your cabinet or who you appoint to what. The Dems aren’t showing good judgment.
I believe Speaker Pelosi is correct. The will of the people should be listen too. If the popular vote states that Obama gets the nomination than let it stand. By overturning the will of the people, you are saying that the common person voice is not being heard. We tell people get out there and vote, let your voice be heard. Than we turn around and do the oppisite of what the people say. How is the common person voice being heard, and for fundraiser to write a letter like this, is trying to steal the whitehouse as Bush done to Gore in 2000
Honorable Speaker, please stay the course.
I am deeply offended by the elitist, pompous, arrogant tone of the letter mailed by Senator Clinton’s supporters to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and by the behavior of the Clinton’s. The primary reason I did not vote for Hillary Clinton in the first place is that the political history of both Hillary and Bill represent the lowest form of an appreciation for truth. Additionally, there is a disconnect in respect to exemplifying integrity, working for the good of our country and an authentic desire to help other’s without always thinking of self first.
Representing constituents through any facet of our countries political system is not a right; but, rather a privilege.
Finally, I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican; therefore, as an Independent I have no allegiance to either party. In truth, I have voted in many presidential primaries and subsequent general elections. This presidential cycle marks the first time that I have voted for a Democratic candidate. I voted for Barack Obama in the both the Texas primary and caucus because I believe in his candidacy for a myriad of reasons. However, I will not vote for a Democrat in the general election if Senator Obama looses the party nomination due to poor party leadership and unethical backroom dealings.
These people ought to be shamed of themseleves. What give them the power to influence the party’s policy? Money??
Pelosi is an embarrassment who arrogantly believes that she (not HRC) can achieve the title of first female…
Pelosi has “not officially backed” anyone yet her “comments” are always pro Obama.
Her major talent and achievement so far has been to “update”the cafeteria menu to force consumption of what she considers healthy food. The elevated cost for her healthy/organic/low /O fat cuisine/ cafeteria food is also in line with the added benefit –> more 44 fleeced from the folks who need “help” with their diets and nutritional education /(support the CA organic farers).
Pelosi’s statement is just another reason why Dems should not be elected. The response letter was typical political speak. Too bad so few Dems have the honesty to simply say shut up //you are already a joke/liability //
The letter from the Clinton supporters is consistent with the intent of the super delegates. If the super delegates are to vote the same as the regular delegates there is no need to have super delegates. They were created specifically for the type of situationn we have now–making sure the best candidate to represent the party gets the nomination in a very tight race. If they believe that is Barack Obama they should vote for him, but if they beleive that is Hilary Clinton they should vote for her regardless of the pledged delegates. Super delegates are independent and people seem to be forgetting that, most of all Obama’s campaign. I also find it very interesting that his campaign calls for the supers to vote the same as the pledged, but I am doubtful that he will give up Ted Kennedy’s vote to allow him to vote the will of the people of Massachusetts.
I am proud of both of these candidates. They have both proven to be strong and committed to the American people. They both have similiar goals and issues which they have addressed. I can only hope that the Democratic party will not divide over “mudslinging”.
Let’s move for change. The struggle for a greater society is with one another and the help of God.
Once again…Hillary’s BIG BUCK speak. I love the infighting. I hope it goes all the way to the Democrat Convention. As you can see I said Democrat, not democratic since the Republicans and Independents are also democratic entities!
Velly interesting. The fat cat gets her fat cats to attack Pelosi. This may end up being a very entertaining cat fight between Clinton and Pelosi.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid should pay heed to a recent Gallop poll reporting that 28% of Hillary supporters will vote for McCain if Hillary is not the nominee, as opposed to only 19% of Obama supporters. We will therefore lose in November if the super delegates do not use their independent judgment! Pelosi and Reid need to put their biases aside and support the candidate who can win in November, and that candidate is Clinton. If the Obama/Wright association had been revealed PRIOR to super Tuesday, Obama would not even be in the race at this point. Listen to the voters, or you will hear us loud and clear come November!!!