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.
when it comes to wanting people to see things her way she does and says anything to get what she wants. one day she wants things one way but when she is pushed on the issues she retracts or changes her statments to say something else.. lets face it Hillary Clinton is nothing more than a liar and a cheat who will try to win this election at all costs. even knowing that the people of the united states dont want her as president, apparently isnt enough, first she trys to go after fla and wisconsins votes knowing full well that they were disqualified because they refused to follow the guidlines set for each state (why put the rules in place if u dont intend on following them) and now she wants to at the most try to threaten others who speak against her. then theres the issue of her “misspeaking the other day when she spoke of her trip under sniper fire, that was proven wrong as well.. followed by the issue of the college student asking her daughter chelsea about monica lewinsky… as i see it as a voter and tax payer YES it is his business and mine and everyone elses to know how she reacted or dealt with the situation. As i heard someone say earlier, if she cant control and manage her own home how does she expect to run this country. I’m voting for Obama, he may have less experiance but id trust him before i trusted her.
The Clintons want to win this by hook or by crook. They should admit defeat and get out.
They should not call themselves the Democratic Party. They do not believe in democracy. They believe in control from the top down. These people are more totalitarians than pro-demcracy.
Seems to me that few have done more than to tear apart the Democratic party, Hillary…
Shame on the “wealthy donors” for trying to buy their way to the nomination.
Super-delegates, what a great example of a democracy! A Super-Democracy because the average American democrat should have their voices heard, but if they get it wrong, the Supers can fix it.
It is easy to smell a “fix” unless you apply liberal logic. Then it is not a fix. At this point it looks like there will be blood running down the isles at the D. convention.
Nancy Pelosi does not speak for those of us who believe in true democracy. Superdeligates have the right to vote for whomever they wish, regardless of the confusion of the masses, thank God! This is especially true after the Wright revelations and Obama’s secret agenda. Wake up true Democrats! I have. Vote for a known, not an unknown who preaches “change”… Whatever he means by that!
Keep it going Clinton, we love it.
“Few have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton.” … well: I guess that depends on what the definition of “build” is. Right, Bill?
I’m not a Hillary donor…Does that mean my vote won’t count?