Yes, that is all true, and even if one accepts the wisdom of that decision (to have the super delegates) still that is 800 out of 4000 (approx numbers) or 20%. According to the Post, those voting on Feb 12th will select *fewer* than *half* of the MD delegation. So, it seems to me, either the Post is way off in its numbers or something's fishy in the Free State!<br>
<br>Again, the Post article is at: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012702377.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/27/AR2008012702377.html</a><br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Feb 2, 2008 2:24 AM, Rob Oppenheim <<a href="mailto:oppenheim@email.com">oppenheim@email.com</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Wikipedia says: "The Democratic Party is often criticized during<br>election cycles for conducting primary elections in a non-democratic<br>fashion, since superdelegates are appointed by the party and are not<br>obligated to support the candidate chosen by the voters."<br>
<br>MSNBC explains that 40 years ago Party Bosses had huge power in picking<br>the candidate, then in the 70's the Democratic Party went with an all<br>grass-roots approach. But were not happy with the result: "Then George<br>
McGovern, the leading anti-Vietnam war liberal, won the 1972 nomination.<br>McGovern turned out to be a disaster as a presidential candidate,<br>winning only one state and the District of Columbia. So without<br>reverting to the days of party bosses like Buckley, the Democrats<br>
decided to guarantee that elected officials would have a bigger voice in<br>the nomination."<br><br>You can read more here <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18277678/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18277678/</a><br>
<br>In round numbers, Hillary has lined up about 200 super delegates to<br>Obama's 100 (out of a total of roughly 800 super delegates). The exact<br>numbers differ depending on who is doing the counting, and some super<br>
delegates may change their minds and many have not announced who they<br>will support. A break down of the numbers is available here<br><a href="http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html" target="_blank">http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html</a><br>
</blockquote></div><br>-- <br>Riverdale Park Community Wiki<br><a href="http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/">http://rpwiki.wetpaint.com/</a>