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.
Souns like sour grapes from the Clinton supporters.
It’s time for someone to do something about the Clintons.
They are no better than Bush with their tactics of stealing
the candicy
enough is enough
Pelosi is such a bigot. She HAS supported one candidate over another. Yes, Pelosi NEEDS TO STAY OUT OF THIS. Her comments are NOT ACCURATE; SHE is Hurting the Party. In short,
“Shut up” Pelosi and go have a beer with Teddie…
The first thing that bill and hillary need is a lecture from the democrats who voted. Else the election is lost for the same reason we are in Iraq. EGO and who gives a damn about this country!!!!!. If you do not care about the country and only about being president then LEAVE. This is for ALL participants
Pelosi is out of control and needs to be removed from her position. Pelosi is harmful to the well being of this nation.
So Hillary is so concerned with the Florida & Michigan voters being disenfranchised. Yet if the super delegates make her the nominee over someone who has more pledge delegates & popular vote, won’t more then half the people who voted in the democratic primaries & caucuses be disenfranchised? That’s OK?
is it not incredible that rich clinton backers are threatening another democrat, face it voters we mean nothing when it comes to money and the clintons.
i think the specker of the house doesn’t want to share the plane she so smuggly demanded,guess what nancy you won’t have maddom president clinton will get her own plane and she won’t be so demanding about it’s hard having to be second lady of the white house,get off her back and quit acting like the B word and give her due. thank you very much becky rusie of indianapolis
It’s interesting that the fat cat’s fat cats are warning Pelosi. It will be interesting to see what happens if Pelosi ignores their threats, threats which I’m sure were directed by the Clinton campaign. If she does, there will very likely be a cat fight with claws flying and slashing! The fat cat, Clinton, still thinks she is the proper designee for her party for the nomination. How arrogant!
Once again, not shocking! The slimbags of the Clinton Camp feel nothing is sacred! I wouldn’t be surprised if she told them to do this!!! You can’t terrorize people into voting your way Hillary! We have had enough scare tactics for the last 7 years!!
I’ll tell you what does scare me… you being the one to answer that 3 am phone call!! You might misspeak and oops, there goes a NUCLEAR bomb!!!
You are pathetic Hillary! Once you are done trying to rip to shreds the DEM Party… I hope they kick you out!