War Breaking Out Over Superdelegate Role in Democratic Primary
Hillary Clinton pauses while speaking at a campaign rally in Fayetteville, N.C., Thursday. Her supporters stirred controversy when they called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to stop saying superdelegates should follow the lead of pledged delegates. (AP Photo)
The battle over the Democratic presidential nomination turned nasty on Thursday, one day after Hillary Clinton donors subtly threatened to stop the spigots for House Democrats if Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists superdelegates vote the same way as pledged delegates.
Liberal group MoveOn.org — which has endorsed Barack Obama — issued a letter to its members, asking them to sign on to a statement that says millionaire donors shouldn’t dictate how the race is won. It also asked for members to match the money the donors would otherwise supply.
“The Democratic nomination should be decided by the voters — not by superdelegates or party high-rollers. We’ve given money — and time — to progressive candidates and causes, and we’ll support Speaker Pelosi and others who stand up for democracy in the Democratic Party,” reads the statement.
In sending the request to join, MoveOn’s political action team called the donors’ letter to Pelosi “the worst kind of insider politics — billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters.”
In the letter sent to Pelosi on Wednesday, the Clinton supporters asked that the House speaker retract statements she made a week prior calling for superdelegates to follow the will of primary and caucus voters.
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 donors wrote.
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.”
Spokesman Brendan Daly said Pelosi is confident superdelegates will make their choice between Clinton and Obama “based on many considerations, including respecting the decisions of millions of Americans who have voted in primaries and participated in caucuses. The speaker believes it would do great harm to the Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the voters. This has been her position throughout this primary season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or votes.”
Clinton campaign officials said on a conference call Thursday that they knew about the pointed letter to Pelosi beforehand but only in general terms.
“We got a heads up,” said a spokesman, adding that everyone recognizes that superdelegates have the responsibility to exercise independent judgment about who is best for the party and the country.
The officials denied knowing the details or approving of any of the language. Pressed on the tenor of the letter, Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson said the Clinton camp is committed to electing Democrats to the House of Representatives and “believe strongly in Pelosi’s leadership.”
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the Democratic donors who wrote Pelosi have contributed nearly $24 million to Democratic candidates and committees over the last 10 years.
Hillary Clinton’s Senate and presidential campaigns and her political action committee received $554,000. By comparison, Barack Obama collected $52,200. Contributions for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps Democratic House candidates, equaled $2.9 million.
BET founder Robert Johnson, a Clinton supporter who has contributed $2 million to Democratic candidates over the years, and signed onto the letter, said he will continue to contribute to the party but it’s the superdelegates’ prerogative to choose who they want.
“The real issue is fundamental fairness in making sure that the superdelegates carry out their role. They are not, as Nancy Pelosi, would suggest ‘confirmation delegates.’ They are not robot delegates. They are superdelegates whose charter authorizes them to analyze who will be the better candidate of the two to run against the Republican candidate and win the presidency,” Johnson said. He added that he has a letter on his desk from Pelosi asking him to contribute $100,000 to the national convention, but he has not decided yet whether he will donate.
The MoveOn team also calls for the members to match “whatever the CEOs and billionaires refuse to contribute.”
Calling Clinton’s donors “the old guard,” the MoveOn group said, “This is how the Democratic Party used to function — the big donors called the shots. But the small donor revolution has changed that. The 20 people who signed this letter have given Democrats an average of $2.4 million per year over the last 10 years. Small donations now dwarf that: In February alone, Obama and Clinton raised $47 million in small donations.”
Nancy Pelosi says she is respecting millions of voters, what about Florida Nancy? What about Michigan Nancy? What about those millions of voters who voted overwhelmingly for Hillary? How is this fair?
What about the fact that Senator Obama broke the rules and bought cable TV ads in Florida, he had a distinct advantage over Hillary becuase of this. She won anyways, but the Democratic party stripped their God given right to vote!
The Democrats in the Committee who are responsible need to make this right! Or this whole nomination process is UNFAIR! The delegates should be seated according to the win, just like all of the other states.
Senator Obama’s offer to split them 50/50 is rediculous and arrogant! She won fair and square and was disadvataged by Obama breaking the no campaign rule…
If it is not attended to in a fair fashion, I and other Democrats will be forced to support another party.
Jenna
MoveON.org should stay out of this. They do not speak for the Democratic voters!
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black: “the worst kind of insider politics — billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters.”
MoveOn.org driven by some of the biggest money bullies on the planet, George Soros (and Michael Moore). Soros has stated on more than one occasion that he would use any and all (financial) resources at his disposal to unseat Bush; this money-changer-in-the-temple who comes to MY country and tries to change the constitution by attempting to change the Second Amendment to suit him.
Amazing
Apparently superdelegates, delegates, and voters alike will make their choices according to Dean and Pelosi. There are millions of voters already whose votes don’t count thanks to these two. There are millions left to go, such as myself, in N.C.. Dean and Pelosi have picked Baby Barack for me, and tell me I should be satisfied with their choice. They are the ones meddling in this election. We’re still in the primary process: you know, the part where VOTERS vote. We haven’t got to the superdelegates yet, but they want Clinton to step down now and leave me with no choice of candidates. In 2006 Clinton advisor James Carville said Dean ought to go, due to poor performance: perhaps this is part of Dean’s animosity for Clinton? Get lost, Dean, and take Pelosi with you. BTW, we don’t have confederate flags on trucks down here, you moron.
This show me had dirt Hillary will go to win at any cost. she don’t care about the Democratic party all she want is to win.she don’t care if Democratic party is lose a lot of people all she want is to win and gave a dam about the Democratic party; and if you let her win god help us. becouse Bill will do the same think again. think it about time to tell him to go home we don’t want you any more.
The bold portion in the above quote is a continuation of what Johnson was saying. This is the worst kind of insider, influence peddling politics. And some say The Republicans are the biggest cronies. The Clintons and their supporters have been caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar on this one!
Hillary & company or so concerned with the disenfranchised Florida & Michigan voters, but it is OK to disenfranchise more then half the voters in primaries & caucuses.
“The battle over the Democratic presidential nomination turned nasty on Thursday,,,,” HA! Where has this reporter been the last couple months? It has been nasty, nastier, and bare knuckle nasty for a while. We are watching the Democratic party be racist, sexist, and downright evil to each other and there isn’t a republican or swift boater to blame.
Here is a clean, clear view of the same liberal establishment that accuses everyone else (but not themselves) of being this dirty, this mean, this ugly , this racist,,,,,,. Its like watching your parents fight. You can’t take your eyes off of them while your totally embarrassed for them. This is the party with those high ideals???? HA What a joke
I find it amusing that “the party of the people” have the ruling elite given special votes. I recall a country that believed the ruling elite knew what was best for the people, along with a small passage from a book - that was banned in that country - that went something like… All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.
Ah yes, the Democrats care about the people…
Leave it to the Dems to hold their own party hostage. Between HRC’s fabrications and this not-so-subtle arm twisting does anyone really want this person for President? This is like a bad cliche writ large.