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.
It is clear that neither democratic cadidate cares about the people. They both only care about winning the ‘Big’ chair. Simple solution: Vote Republican.
Of course she supports the superdelegates voting for who they want to vote for. It is the only way she might win. Politics makes me ill. Whatever happened to the will of the people? The superdelegates should vote for who the people voted for. I think this election cycle is showing Clinton’s true colors.
“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.
I agree with this, that few have done more to build it, but build it into what?? The mess it is in now?
Hillary, no surprise, is speaking out of both sides of her mouth. On one hand she is lamenting that Florida and Michigan voters may not have their voices heard (interpret that to mean, I won’t be allowed to use their delegates) despite the way the voted in the Democratic primary. Nevermind that she went along with “penalizing” the two states for moving their primaries against DNC wishes, but now that she needs those delegates, all bets are off.
Now she wants superdelegates to vote against the wishes of most likely the majority of democratic primary voters and the majority of delegates won from those primaries for Obama.
So which way is it Hillary? Oh, sure, whichever way necessary for YOU to win!
The Clinton campaign doesn’t get it. It is supposed to be who the people pick; not who they can smooze into going against the people.
Boy, Hillary sure was brave for running through all that sniper fire in Bosnia!!!!
Just the man I want for president!
Just another Clinton Inc. to rob the people of a true choice. Remember, the Clintons will do anything to get back into the white house. Don’t count them out, they are very mean and cannot be trusted.
I read the letter and it states the rules of the DNC. I think it served has a reminder more than any type of threat. Nancy Pelosi of all people should know why the superdelegates were put in place. Now it looks like Pelosi is trying to change the rules!
During the 2004 election, I remember Clinton saying the popular vote should take precedence in an election. This, at the time, suited her purposes. Miss Flip Flop is now changing her story to suit her losing streak with Obama.
Can she not be consistent on anything!
Anything to win. This is suppose to be the greatest democracy in the world. Let the people decide right? If Clinton worms her way in as the nominee, I will lose ALL faith in this country’s government. So, statistically she cannot win. Her only hope is to override the people’s voice. Which goes contrary to her claim that she does not want the voters of Michigan and Florida disenfranchised. Which is it Billary? Let the people speak or let the superdelegates speak? Whatever gets her in is her game. Shameful woman.