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.
Truth in advertising — I am an Army veteran, educator and Missouri Obama supporter who will be very, very upset if my vote is circumvented in Denver by either “pledged” delegates switching their votes, superdelegates or “Top Clinton Supporters”.
I am totally disgusted that Clinton’s money men are warning Pelosi that they may withdraw their support for House candidates if she doesn’t withdraw her statements about superdelegates. After more than 7 years of Bush’s failed policies and wasteful war this is total blackmail. We cannot accomplish anything productive without veto proof margins in the House and Senate — regardless of whom the eventual candidate will be.
I’ve heard lots of people refer to “political machines” and “swiftboating” and imply that this is business as usual and no big deal. It is a big deal and it’s ugly! In this past, because of apathy and low voter turnout multiple instances of the circumvention of the policitical process have gone unnoticed. What is this teaching our youth and and the thousands of new voters of every age and socio-economic status about the political process? I HOPE VOTERS ARE PAYING ATTENTION!
there have been comments. I posted one earlier. I’m sure you annuses aren’t posting them because they’re not pro-hillary.
Obama is forever damaged by the pastor disaster. He should drop out. He can’t win. 20 Years with that church is dispictable.
Why are these donors, and Mrs. Clinton, not condemned for this letter? Nancy Pelosi is no favorite of mine, but she expressed her opinion on the matter and now she’s being asked to recant her position over the threat of the withdrawal of future fundraising support. Isn’t this blackmail? Will Nancy buckle or will she stand pat? You would think principle would win out but then again, who knows. This is dirty politics and another example of the dangers of a Clinton presidency. That makes me sick just saying it. She is the most pretentious, calculating, phony, disingenous human being I have ever seen. That stupid head nod can stop anytime as far as I’m concerned when she’s making these speeches. Get over yourself. Does anyone actually believe she cares about any one sect of people, policy issue, or law above her own pursuit and desire for power? Completely disingenuous.
I applaud Nancy Pelosi for standing up for the people of this country. If the decision is going to be made by the super delegates then why ask the voters to go out and vote. I think these twenty top Democratic donors are a true example of what Obama is talking about when he mentions how corrupt politics is in our government, they have money and they want to throw their wait around ignoring the millions and millions of poor voters.
I think HRC is about to steal the election, I guess she does follow the Bush/Rove Policy, its going to be Florida all over again. I guess I will be one of the mass democrats voting for John or Raplh Nader.
If HRC get into office, it will be more of the same. hopefully the 512 group will bring out the truth about her before its to late.
Pelosi should stay out of this. Let the process work and lets see who wins should be a good one.
Oh the irony! The Clintons whine about how Bush lost the popular vote in 2000, yet when it comes time to follow the same rules when HRC runs…well now, they just don’t apply! What a crock! I welcome the debate this summer between John McCain the the 2008 dem nominee Barack H. (not hillary) Obama.
The Dems need to get that there are a SUBSTANTIAL number of Hillary supporters out there. Obama does not yet have the nomination. To force a candidate into position when the people have not yet spoken is a reminder of Bush and Florida in 2000. Nancy Pelosi should be a little smarter, one would think, than to make these kind of statement.
Oh…The Dems also need to get that Obama has been a colossal failure at uniting the party. He is not the obvious candidate and he will lose the general election.
Pelosi is at least listening to the people of the United States. Pelosi has the right to think and say what she wants.