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.
you do not really think that hillary clinton cares about the democratic party or anyone other than herself, do you? she wants to be president and she cares not about anyone nor will she hesitate to run over anyone who she feels is in the way of her attaining her goals.
DO YOU REALLY THINK HILLARY AND BILL WOULD GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE WAY SUPERDELEGATES VOTE IF THEY WERE AHEAD?
As I understand it, twenty top democratic supports in a letter to Nancy Polosi told her to change her opinion regarding super delegates. The letter reminds Nancy Polosi that they have been strong supporters of congressional candidates, implying what?
What about free speech and a person’s right to voice their opinion. Sorry but this letter implies Nancy better endorse Hillary’s logic regarding super delegates or risk losing financial support.
If it looks like a threat, sounds like a threat; then it is a threat.
Just how low will Clinton go? Now she is threatening members of congress who disagree with her? The will of the people in a Democratic society is of no concern to her. She wants the delegates to forget what the American people want, and give her the nomination.
Carville likened Bill Richardson to a Judas, selling out for thirty pieces of gold. I wonder how many big money Clinton supporters have sold their souls to them? Or vice versa? Wake up all you fat cats this is the year of the little people!
Top Clinton Supporters Warn Pelosi Over Superdelegate Statements”
Well what do you expect from the Clintons… Desperation and bitterness as her dreams are broken. Hillary’s true character is clearly evident.
I ecstatic that Nancy is the 1st woman to head the congress. He leadership has been fair and balance and in the interest of the democratic party. The Obama and Hillary campaign should be careful in antagonizing the superdelegates of which Nancy is one. Hillary and Barack still have the opportunity to have the will of the democratic party expressed via pledged delegates and they should concentrate on that
What do you expect from the Clintons. Desperation and Bitterness. Hillary is on the ropes and her true character is clearly evident.
We as citizens of this country need to stand up , and make a stand. We need to do away with delegates deciding who wins the nomination. We also need to do away with the electoral college, and go back to popular vote. Whoever wins the the popular vote should get the nod for the position.
Wealthy Clinton supporters issue a thinly-veiled threat to cut off funding to House Dems for…?
…for insisting that they take their candidate’s convention fight option off the table in deference to the voters’ will.
I must agree with the Clinton supporters on this issue. Since there is nothing which REQUIRES superdelegates to vote any certain way, they must be free to exercise their own best judgement in their voting. Senator Obama succeeded in nullifying the voters of Florida and Michigan by blocking any attempt at a re-vote. I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but I sure don’t understand how anyone could be comfortable claiming to win an election when hundreds of thousands of votes are literally ignored. Does anyone honestly believe that is the will of the American people? Don’t let this election be further skewed by placing artificial restrictions on the superdelegates.