Former DNC chair's message for supers

J. in PA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:11:03 GMT

The Clinton supporters can frame this however they want, but if the superdelegates overturn the will of the people (and this should include Michigan and Florida in a re-vote), the Democratic nomination won't be worth the paper its written on. In fact, the Democratic party will lose its moral standing for at least a generation of people who will never forget. Only 7 years after Florida's recount debacle, for the party to even be considering this is the height of hypocrisy.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mary, Ohio — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:11:46 GMT

Another strong-arm tactic to steal the election. Some goverment we have, eh?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:12:30 GMT

God forbid the winner of the popular vote should be "rubber stamped"

Former DNC chair's message for supers

sean, atl — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:13:56 GMT

but...but....i thought (as clinton's top advisor said back in Jan/Feb): This was all about delegate count.....now all of a sudden, it's not about the numbers....hmmm....doth thou move the goal poasts much?

time to really GET REAL!
Obama '08

Former DNC chair's message for supers

BL, Cincinnati OH — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:15:46 GMT

Blah blah blah blah screw the will of the people blah blah blah win at all costs blah blah blah.

Save yourself the 3 minutes of wasted time reading the full letter. It's just the same drivel from yet another Clintonite who only cares about themselves and winning, and doesn't give a damn about the people of this country.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Geoff in Brooklyn — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:16:23 GMT

NOTE: Doesn't this mean superdelegates can all go for Obama now if they want either because (1) they personally favor him; or (2) they want to end the nomination contest now and avoid intra-party war? Why does no one point this out? The letter here actually gives cover to superdelegates that are Obama supporters but haven't commited yet. They can commit now as a matter of judgment!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

LB, Virginia — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:16:25 GMT

Here the Clintons go, stealing the election from the people! Don't stand for it!! We will work to fight her if she's the nominee, and we are millions strong!!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Lisa in New Britain, CT — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:16:51 GMT

Is there anybody surprised by this letter?

He is a partisan. He has a stake in the game.

That is the problem here (and it cuts both ways at this point). You can make these arguments either way.

Obama 08

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Chuck K, Buffalo, NY — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:16:55 GMT

I would love it, if a flood of super delegates endorsed Obama after reading this.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

LB, Virginia — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:17:28 GMT

I just read more carefully, is he actually suggesting that Obama is only suitable to run for student council president? COme on people, we need to get rid of him and his ilk now!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Tony, Florida — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:17:50 GMT

Disgusting.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Jesse, Burnsville, MN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:17:59 GMT

The Clinton's will stop at nothing for Power.

This needs to be Obama's new push. He needs to put into the spotlight what the Clinton campaign has done or has suggested over the past two months to lie, cheat and steal her way to the nomination.

This Democrat has been pushed over the edge. I could, at one time, hold my nose and vote for Hillary. No more. There is no going back. She has purposefully divided our party for the sake of her own power. It just shows that she doesn't give a damn about us.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

adam/Brooklyn New York City — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:18:34 GMT

I urge the Super Delegates to make the best choice also. As an Obama supporter, I'm not at all threatened by Super Delegates making independent choices.

Obama will be best at the top of the ticket and help his fellow Dems get elected. Hillary Clinton will help John McCain and Republicans get elected. She's already endorsed him.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mel — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:18:36 GMT

This is so true, you need to wait if your a superdelegate this is way to impotant of a issue.
Please do your jobs the right way be the independants you are supose to be.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Scott — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:18:43 GMT

From Associated Press, March 8, 2008 commenting on Obama’s lead in the Wyoming caucuses:

“Obama generally has outperformed Clinton in caucuses, which reward organization and voter passion more than do primaries. The Illinois senator has won 12 caucuses to Clinton's three.”

Well put AP. Clinton talks all the time about the caucuses not being “fair” to her. On it’s face, that’s baffling since she has the benefit of 16 years of her husband’s organization. But, so be it. Taking her comment at face value though leads one to the obvious question: should we NOT be rewarding organization and voter passion? Should we instead give our government over to a candidate who CAN’T organize (and can’t manage finances apparently given that she spent her campaign into the red in January)? How is she “ready on Day 1” when she can’t even organize to win caucuses? Note: she got SMOKED in the Texas cacucuses, a storyline that received almost NO coverage (real responsible MSM).

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Seeing Clearly (and not watching SNL) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:19:11 GMT

I never thought I'd see Ed "Mr. IceMan" Rendell, the Governor of PA, flustered. It happened this morning on Meet the Press. Mr. Rendell was representing Hillary and was caught choking on the Clinton spin.

MTP’s host Tim Russert noted that the Clinton campaign seemed to be fundamentally contradicting itself last week when out of one side of her mouth, Senator Clinton was saying Barack is not ready to be Commander in Chief. Then, out of the other side of her mouth, (reinforced by Bill’s comments), they were suggesting that Barack would make for a "dream ticket."

Mr. Russert noted that in order to believe Obama would be a terrific member of a “dream ticket,“ the Clintons must believe that Barack is ready to be Commander in Chief. Then, he asked Governor Rendell, "well, which is it? Is he qualified or not?" Rendell was noticeably flustered realizing they'd actually been stuck by their own spin. He finally admitted that Barack was indeed ready, but tried to assert that Hillary was “more ready.” What?

Hillary flacks: don't even bother screaming that “Well, what did you expect, Tim Russert is biased.” Yes I saw SNL. Tina Fay has endorsed Hillary and the head writer that wrote that sketch may well have as well. Your whining about "media bias" on this one won't save you.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Don Tulsa — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:19:56 GMT

Of course he is a Hillary supporter.what would you expect him to say. She can't win unless the superdelegates vote for her. Just more politics.
Another super delegate Donna Brazile has said that if the super delegates choose the nominee, she will quit the democratic party.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Brad Glisson, Durham, North Carolina — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:20:03 GMT

I'm predicting a riot at the Pepsi Center and a McCain victory in the fall. Thanks Hillary. Only you could find a way to screw up a year tailor made for the Dems.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

TJK, Hunt Valley, MD — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:20:54 GMT

It is truly outrageous that DNC leaders would spew out such absolute garbage! If Grossman and others that are encouraging what is essentially stealing this nomination for Clinton, the Democratic Party deserves to be ground into dust. Let the Clintons dance their victory on the dead dust of the Democratic Party.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Brandy, Fort Hood TX — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:21:06 GMT

It is absolutely astonishing to me that we are even having this debate after the 2000 election.

First - The notion that elected officials serving as SUPER delegates should follow the will of their constituency not only makes sense to most voters, but I suspect it makes sense to those super delegates as well (if they would like to be re-elected).

Second - On the Florida and Michigan issue, since when have we been accepting of a total disregard of repeatedly-stated party rules? The elected officials in MI and FL just can't have it both ways - deliberately break the rules for extra media coverage and "prestige" and then come back and say wait, we should have another go. Of course the voters should definitely have a chance to have their votes matter (and to be able to vote for a name and not "uncommitted"). The only rational solution is to have those who purposefully broke the rules pay for their mistake - literally.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Lisa in New Britain, CT — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:21:33 GMT

BTW, I'm not saying that supers shouldn't make an independent decision...but Mr. Grossman's letter is slanted on the arguments (that's what I'm saying).

And it IS problematic if superdelegates overturn a clear decision of the people...does he really think that goes over well, does he really think if people perceive the decision is unfair that people will turn out for Dems in Nov.?

And of course, on his substantive arguments on his candidate (the partisan aspect to his letter), one clearly can make arguments to support an Obama Presidential bid.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Luanne — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:22:30 GMT

Mr Grossman just made an excellent argument for why Barack Obama should be the super-delegates choice. Obama is the future. Obama is the most electable. Obama is the people's choice. Thanks Mr. Grossman, we appreaciate your support!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Matt; Valparaiso, IN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:23:26 GMT

Why does the Democratic party seem so insistent upon destroying itself???

This letter is complete and utter shilling for Hillary Clinton.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mark Cary, NC — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:10 GMT

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kathy Andres Lansing Michigan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:16 GMT

I would like to ask Mr Gossman if he belives it is right that the American public is not being made aware of the current appeal of the Paul v.Clinton case. This may not even get posted because you at MSNBC may be worried about retaliation. But the case is proceeding and witnesses are being deposed and the democratic leadership is getting phone calls about it. It will be interesting to see who in the main stream reports first. I wouldn't be surprised if the story comes out this week. The appeal was granted in January and no one in major media has reported it.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

SB — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:26 GMT

And as the world watches, we can not allow a group of political elites to overturn the will of the people. We arrogantly tout the grand democracy of the U.S. to nations throughout this world, yet in our own backyard, we don't let the people choose.

Something is horribly wrong with this. It makes me wonder about the damage another Clinton administration would do, given the damage they are doing in this election process.

This is painful to watch. Hiilary is a relentless politician, a miserable person, and a divider. Her own narcissistic personality must be fed before the will of the people.

I am disgusted by this process.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

TEC-Spring-Tx — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:30 GMT

It is a good letter, enen though I do not generally agree with his selection. However as we go forward in the process, Clinton does seem to be more battle ready than Obama. I wonder if Obamo can stand up to the same smear machine that the republicans have used in the past. Recent rantings by the radio loud mounths indicate that they are laying the ground work for a major smear campaign against Obama. The opinions of the Rush and Seanns is that the Clintons are the master of mud slinging, but cleary no one has master the art of camapign mud bathes than Karl Rove. At this point, the Rush mouths have already thrown the kicthen sink at Clinton amnd now they are tryinbg to fill the sink for Obama.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Questioning Steve Grossman's "Judgment" — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:24:37 GMT

Steve Grossman (and all the others making this argument),

That's fine. Do what you want. Give Hillary the nomination. And give the White House back to the Repubs. Here's what doesn't show up in the national polls:

1) a HUGE portion of Obama supporters will either stay home or vote for Nader
2) The ONLY way that the GOP will be able to "get out it's base" is to have the good fortune of running against Hillary Clinton.

Not only will the GOP win the White House, it'll win back seats in both the House and Senate.

So, exercise your independent judgment. But, if that "judgement" is instead "blind loyalty" to the Clintons, realize you will have set your party back again and Americans everywhere will be laughing at a party that couldn't win even with all the Aces the GOP has given it the past 2 years.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Fast Eddie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:25:03 GMT

What you really need to do as a super is do what's best for the party if you want to have one in the future!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Jerry Tsai — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:25:19 GMT

What Mr. Grossman fails to realize is that we all already realize superdelegates will and have the option to make their own decisions. If, however, what the majority of the electorate wants is not a serious factor in their considerations, then we voters will make our own decisions about the wisdom of our continued support for the Democratic Party. So, yes, Mr. Grossman, make your choice. And we will make ours.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

OBwan, IN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:27:42 GMT

"Should the results in states that have rarely if ever voted Democratic in a presidential election over the last half century be accorded the same weight as the results in large states that form the heart of the Democratic base, and which the Democratic presidential nominee must carry in order to win the White House?"

Only "Blue" states count. CA, NY, MA, PA will be in the Dem column regardless of party nominee. I would not count on all the other states, especially if a 50 state campaign is not ran. This is the failed Democrat process of the last 2 presidential campaigns.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kym — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:27:58 GMT

No more talking points from the 90s, battle test Senator Clinton NOW, stop talking about a period of time when young voters weren't even aware of. It is ridiculous!!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Matt; Valparaiso, IN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:30:04 GMT

Doesn't the responsibility to do what's best for the party and for the country include not overturning the will of the voters?

This letter is written so panderingly that I spit up a little in my mouth.

Also, Ed Rendell spoke yesterday on Meet the Press about how un-democratic the caucus process is. While I don't particularly disagree that a primary is a more open process, it's a little late to start whining about how Hillary Clinton does poorly at caucuses. These primary/caucus processes were set up by the individual states long in advance of this election. If this was such a huge concern for the Clinton camp, they've had 8 years to try to convince state leaders to change the process.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Jesse D. St.Paul Minnesota — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:30:10 GMT

The clinton support team motto 'Win at any cost"destroy anyone or anything in our way.Telling the super-delagate how to think?How this has gone on this way for generations and that this is the way it has to be.This is more proof that this system is out of touch.Only insiders count the rest of us can kiss-off because the fair right minded folks that are supers will decide for us.This is the time for the supers that think for them selfs to come out and stand and be counted,stop waiting for the Clintons to tell you what you are going to do and when you should do it.Stop being lead like sheep.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

obie, burtrum, mn — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:33:08 GMT

While technically correct, the Clinton stance contains an inherent scorched earth policy.

First, if the popular vote and the pledged delegate numbers end up in Obama's favor as is likely and if the superdelegates overturn the will of the people, it would rip the party apart -- not just this year but for the foreseeable future.

Secondly, for Clinton to get the popular vote and pledged delegate numbers in her favor or back to even, she must destroy his credibility as a candidate.

Under either scenario, the once in a generation opportunity for the party will be lost.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Larry, Roseville CA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:33:50 GMT

Wow! Makes the ole smoke-filled room sound positively virtuous! Messianic, even! Super-saviors.

Don't know that I fell like I need saving on this one, sorry.

Obama '08

Former DNC chair's message for supers

RENEA,PLYMOUTH,MI — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:34:51 GMT

HOW WAS BILL CLINTON ELECTED 2 TIMES BY THE SAME SYSTEM THEY ARE NOW RAILING AGAINST!THEY HAD MORE INSIDERS IN EVERY STATES.MORE MONEY.MORE NAME ID AT THE START OF THIS ELECTION PROCESS.IT IS THE CLINTONS FAULT THAT THEY DID NOT FEEL THAT ALL 50 STATES MATTERED.IT IS THE CLINTONS LACK OF PLANNING FOR THE CAUCUS STATES LIKE GETTING HER VOTERS TO CAUCUS SITES THAT HURT THE CLINTONS!WHEN THE CLINTONS LOSE THEY ALWAYS HAVE A EXCUSE FOR IT.YET THEY HAVE NEVER ADMITTED TO ANY MISTAKE. JUST LIKE BUSH.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

bill, okla — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:43:47 GMT

To the super delegates...I will not vote in November if Clinton is handed (unfairly) the nomination. Period. If the lying, self-aggrandizing, cheating, whining, Mrs. Clinton can win the majority of electoral votes and popular vote by the convention I'd vote for her...but she can't. Nothing is more important than a fair election process.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

e. held, sun city, az — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:45:06 GMT

--------------
SUPERDELEGATES WERE SELECTED (not because they would be fair & objective in the best interests of the party, as Grossman states) BUT BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE PARTY BOSSES.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

jmc.Gig Harbor,Wa — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:45:18 GMT

To the former DNC. What do you owe the Clintons. Just watch how many of us switch to McCain. In the beginning I was for Hillary until I saw her lack of integrity. Obama is a man of honor and we need him!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mark, VA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:45:52 GMT

How does one define what is wrong with the Democrat’s nomination process? Well, I am going to try as objectively as possible.

Point #1: The process should mirror the General election: winner take all. Why? That’s the American way. If a mayor of a city wins an election by 1 vote he/she does not share the office prorated by that 1 vote. The person who wins by 1 vote has the office all to themselves. Secondly, throw out the caucus process. Caucuses have shown time and time again not to be a true barometer of the State. Look at Washington State and Texas. In Washington State’s caucuses Obama won 68% to 31%, but in the “Non-binding” primary it was a tight race, somewhere around 51% - 48%. In Texas Clinton won the primary 51% - 47%, but it looks like she is going to lose the caucus by somewhere around 60% - 40%. How are these 2 examples not an indication that caucuses are misleading and quite frankly discriminatory? In primaries voters typically have 12 plus hours to find a time to vote; before work, lunchtime, or after work. Caucuses are held at much shorter timeframes, therefore does not permit for full participation. Caucuses typically favor the white collar voter, hence Obama’s success. Blue collar workers cannot afford to skip work nor do they have as much flexibility to rearrange their schedules as easily. States will just have to budget for their primaries.

Point #2: I also think pledged delegates should be able to change their minds at the end of the process. This is the reason why I think at least 2 candidates should stay a race until the end. What if Obama ends up with more pledged delegates and weeks prior to the convention it is discovered that he can be tied closely with the Rezko mess, but he refuses to step aside for the good of the Democratic Party. It does not matter if he found innocent at the end of the trial. By then the General election is over. The fact is that he will be hounded up until the General election and he loses. There needs to be room for buyer’s remorse. A candidate with early victories that carries him into having more delegates may not be the “best” candidate at the end, the one with the momentum and the one that is a head in the polls as the better opponent for the rival Party’s nominee.

Point #3: This leads me to my next thought, which would reduce the need for my second point, and reduce buyer’s remorse. Have all the primaries in the Month of April, if not all on the same day like the General election. Candidates will need to look more at a 50 State strategy. Start the campaigning season in January – March and then hold the primaries in April. This will increase each State’s importance and no State, like Florida and Michigan, will feel left out and attempt to move up their primaries. A shorter primary process will also reduce the influence or perceived influence of media bias, because it does not give the media time between primaries to make much of a difference. The media should support this after the hits they have taken on their credibility with this primary season. The month of April will also improve the chances of good weather for the primaries, thus offering less of an excuse by either candidate. I would even support primaries all in the Month of May to ensure the chance of better weather.
Point #4: I like the idea of the super delegates, but I do not like the fact that pressure is bought to bare to vote one way or another. Perhaps they should not be permitted to case their support until after the primaries have ended or even not until the convention. This way if there is buyer’s remorse, as stated in Point #2, they can take care of it at the end. The role of the super delegates is to ensure at the end we have the “best” candidate at the end of the process going up against the Republicans.

Point #5: What is wrong with taking the nomination process to the convention? Why have conventions if the DNC wants it settled prior? Or is the convention just an excuse to party!!! This is where the real excitement happens, especially if the outcome is still up in the air. The media should love this scenario.

What do all these points promote? It lets the voters decide without undue influence from the media, it allows the super delegates do their job, and it lets the process do the work.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Charles — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:46:51 GMT

J. in PA said it perfectly.The Clintons will lose an entire generation of voters if they strong-arm the nomination away from Obama. Hillary Clinton isn't a Democrat;she's a thug.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

tom tyskiewivz — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:47:44 GMT

AS A LIFE-LONG (AGE=63) PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRAT, I WILL CAST MY BALLOT FOR OBAMA IN THIS COMING APRIL PRIMARY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, WILL I VOTE FOR A DEMOCRATIC TICKET IN NOVEMBER IF "SHE" IS ANYWHERE NEAR IT! THIS IS THE LAST REMAINING CHANCE TO MAKE A COMPLETE BREAK WITH THE DISASTEROUS POLICIES SINCE 1960. NO PRESIDENT SINCE EISENHOWER DERSERVES A GRADE HIGHER THAN "D+", AND I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT ERUDITE WRITINGS COULD POSSIBLY BE CONTAINED IN THESE SO-CALLED LIBRARIES, WHICH ARE NOTHING MORE THAN SYCOPHANTIC CONCOCTIONS TO SELF-AGGRANDIZING EGOS!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Adlai, Winchester, CA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:47:59 GMT

I can't see the supers letting the contest stretch into the summer. The over all party could gain control, if the right person is running, and gets all these new voters out and not only vote for the President, but all the seats up for grab. I think the young vote will not participate if Obama isn't the nominee, but I think 30yrs and up will vote regarless of their race or gender. This is why I think the supers keep coming over to Obama's side, it helps that he's won more states also.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Pat Huntington NY — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:49:15 GMT

The Superdelegates should do the right thing and ALL SUPPORT AND VOTE FOR CLINTON. Obama is a wet mop with no experience to hold his head up. Obama dreams, while Hillary has real solutions. This makes her better equipped to battle McCain in the general election, and all Obamabots know this...that is why you are all geting so desperate in your hatefilled posts.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kym — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:49:20 GMT

What a well written piece. As a long standing memeber of the Democratic party and the rules we have regarding our nomination process, if it comes down to super delegates, it should be about their choice. As a voter, it is about my choice and if I was ever selected to become a super-delegate, I would want that same liberty.
Mark Cary, NC (Sent Monday, March 10, 2008 10:24 AM)

Mark, the superdelegates do have the liberty to vote the way they want in the primary as we do. When the primary is held in their state they can go and vote. But their role as superdelegates should follow the will of the people, after all most of them are elected officials. They should not go against whoever has the most pledged delegates. That would be undemocratic at the least!!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Lucy, MO — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:50:37 GMT

What he means is, be loyal to the people he supports, your personal opinion and and opinions of your constituents mean nothing. Of course, Mr. Grossman is not facing a re-election campaign in the future where he will have to explain to those constituents why he/she voted against their wishes. Elected official should be loyal to the people who got them there, not the Clintons. Isn't loyalty to friends instead of hiring qualified campaigners how Sen. Clinton got into this mess in the first place?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Lynda D. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:52:03 GMT

" . . . super delegates who are not committed to either candidate should resist the blandishments of those who would trivialize their roles in the nominating process, and their responsibilities to the party, and to the country, about which we care so deeply."

Which is exactly why the superdelegates should tell the Clintons to put on dunces' caps and sit in the corner until the election is over. If the Democrats manage to pull off the election despite the Clintons' smear campaign against Obama, MAYBE Hillary's constituents will let her rehabilitate herself by going back to the senate and doing something worthwhile to prove her readiness to lead.

A few weeks ago, I thought a cabinet post might be appropriate, but after the shenanigans of the past week, I think she (and Bill) should be kept as far away from the White House as possible.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

PHYLLIS,NORWALK OH — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:52:16 GMT

I THINK IT IS A GOOD LETTER...I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT AND DEMOCRATS TAKING BACK THE WHITE HOUSE...

Former DNC chair's message for supers

nicole winston, pennsylvania — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:52:18 GMT

so let me get this straight - he is a super delegate who has already made his choice, but other super delegates (who may be leaning towards Obama) should not make theirs yet? Sounds hypocritical to me!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

PJS, St. Paul MN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:52:29 GMT

Does anybody else see the "dream ticket" spin for what it really is? It is pandering for votes from Dems who are conflicted, Dems who will then vote for Hillary because she wants Obama on her ticket, and that way they'll get both of their choices. The Clintons don't care how they get their votes, and with this spin they don't have to actually follow through on it. If Obama was behind and suggesting an Obama/Clinton ticket, the Clintons would slam "the inexperience and ego such a statement shows".

Former DNC chair's message for supers

New Wave — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:53:01 GMT

It's just amazing. All the letters and talking points aimed at spinning reality just to favor the Clinton campaign.

Another version of 'what the meaning of "IS" is'.

Democrats do NOT owe anything to the Clintons. They carry themselves that way.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Betty LHC AZ — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:54:58 GMT

SEEING CLEARLY, Yes, i agree, he said obama is ready but clinton is MORE ready, sound familiar?? like I am proud, but now I am REALLY proud, We have to get rid of those monsters.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

New Wave — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:55:21 GMT

The Clintons are beginning to sound like closet Republicans.

Their actions over the past few weeks look like those coming from Republican party aimed at destroying the Democratic party. What gives?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

leeler,fl — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:55:27 GMT

I agree fast Eddie "do what is best for the party".
Do NOT be guilted or harrassed into voting for someone just because others are.It jsut so happens Hillary is best for the party

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Nj — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:56:05 GMT

This is absolutely ridiculous. The Clintons have shown that they dont care. I am more upset now with Obama not fighting back and rejecting all this grabage, Richardson, Edwards, Biden , Dean and Pelosi not saying enough is enough. If Obama loses this because he doesnt fight back and she strong arms this I will vote for McCain. I am not kidding.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Ian — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:56:28 GMT

I stopped caring the moment you told me he's a supporter of the monster.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Billy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:56:58 GMT

Wow! By that logic we shouldn't even have voting in states. What good is it to have the people vote if the super delegates overturn the will of the people. Last time I checked it was the general population that voted in the general election - not just supre delegates.

The argument tha HRC won traditionally democratic states is rather weak. If these states are going to vote democratic anyway, it shouldn't matter if HRC or OHB is the nominee. That startegy didn't work in 2000 or 2004. What makes him think that it will work this year? We need a canidate that can when red, blue, and purple states. OHB is the only one that has demonstrated that ability. For pete's sake he's already won 29 contest as opposed to her 14. What else do you want the man to do?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Stephen — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:57:47 GMT

Nice attempt to backpeddle when we get too close to actual real domocracy. He's correct that superdelegates roles are not trivial, but he tries to trivialize their role in listening to everyone. There is bias in this letter towards Clinton based on the places that have had more significane in past elections but lost initial influence in a desperate attempt to have too much influence. Thus the attempts to change the rules mid-stream. That's old poltics. Look what happene to the country the last time Florida had too much influence, for example. America as a real democracy will start to weigh in states that have not been as active in the past elections because of the disenfranchisement that has allowed both the Democratic and Republican status quo to maintain their rule and together, cumulatively, bring out country to where it is now on the brink of disaster. The external fear card will finish this coutry off as we simeltaneuosly deny what we have done to ourselves, Hillary Clinton is nudging closer to where the Republican Administration has taken us and her desperation and the chaos and tactics demonstrated by her campaign is no good sign of pulling us out a tailspin. If we do not begin pervasive change, we will not just be protecting ourselves from the threats of the modern world, we'll continue being party to creating them. That's a pattern that sullies our ideals throughout our history and it's a pattern that needs to be broken now, not later. Smoooth letters with nice diction and good feelings about family involvement in the party for generations all to sway the superdelegates over to Clinton ain't the answer. Looking past the walls and out the windows of Washington to face reality in more fullness, the conscience of our leading inside advocates needs to open the door to true democracy, the core of which is inclusion in the process. Without this inclusion, we will notachieve the change we need. The candidate for president who best invites and embodies this core democratic principle is Barack Obama.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:58:25 GMT

On the surface it appears like the letter is pro-Hillary in that the super delegates shouldn't follow hte pledged vote. But the undertone, to me, reads as if he is trying to imply that the superdelegates can just make up their mind to support Obama right now and end the race if they feel like he is the most electable.

Being that every Democratic up for election wants his name on the ticket, especially in the South, then why wouldn't they for the good of the party?

Oh, I forgot, Democrats don't know how to win elections so they'll continue to allow Hillary's scorched earth campaign to destroy the party during the summer and wonder how John McCain won in November.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

DennisFry Dubuque IA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:59:22 GMT

I am a precinct delegate in IA and will be having our county convention this next Saturday. Yesterday(Sunday night) I received 2 Robo Calls from the Clinton campaign asking for my help to elect Hillary at our county convention. They are now asking the elected delegates to change - How low can you go? I will forever support Barack Obama and never Hillary!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Sally — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:59:57 GMT

I guarantee if this election is stolen, Hillary will lose in November. There would be a riot of epic proportions at the DNC.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

JOE BEAUCHAMP GA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:03 GMT

HERE WE GO AGAIN HILLARYS PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO STEAL THE ELECTION WITH BULL SHIT. THIS MAN HAS NO PLACE TO TRY AND SWAY AWAY SUPERDELEGATES. HE IS A HILLARY BACKER AND TRYING TO PULL ANOTHER TRICK OUT OF THEIR HATS.

WHO THE HELL DOES HE THINK HE IS. THE DELEGATES THAT HAVE OPENLY STATED THEY BACK OBAMA HAVE DONE SO BECAUSE THEY THINK HE IS THE BEST ONE TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY. AND I AGREE.

IF SHE CAN T WIN THE DELEGATE COUNT SHE WILL TRY ANYTHING TO MAKE SURE SHE IS THE CANIDATE PERIOD. IF SHE COULD CHEAT SHE WOULD. SHE HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM HER TEMPER. SHE IS LIKE A CHILD THAT STOMPS THEIR FEET AND THROWS A FIT. UNTIL PEOPLE GIVE HER WHAT SHE WANTS.

SHE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN OBAMA WHEN IT COMES TO FORIEGN POLICY. SO WHAT THAT SHE HAS BEEN TO 80 COUNTRY HAS SHE BEEN INVOLVED IN MAJOR POLICY CHANGES FOR THIS COUNTRY NO PERIOD. THE FIRST LADY HAS NO POWER UNDER OUR LAWS TO EFFECT POLICY PERIOD. SO IF ANYONE THINKS SHE HAS THAT POWER THEY ARE FOOLING THEMSELFS. SHE IS A SELFISH CHILD WHO IF SHE DOESNT GET HER WAY THROWS A REAL PISS KIDDY FIT AND LOOK OUT WHO IS IN HER WAY.

THE PROOF WAS HER HEALTH CARE POLICY BILL HAD HER WORK ON. SHE HAD NO BUSINESS EVEN GETTING INVOLVED WITH THAT. WE DIDNT ELECT HER TO THE PRESIDENCY THAT IS THE JOB OF THE ADMINTISTRATION WHICH SHE BY LAW HAS NO BUSINESS MAKING POLICY PERIOD.

THE CLINTONS HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE ABOVE THE LAW IN ALL THEIR DEALINGS AND IF HE ISNT CAREFUL BE MAY BE THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN JAIL. HE BETTER WATCH WHO HE HAS DEALING WITH...LIKE DUBAI, CANADA, AND A COUNTRY THAT WAS PART OF THE FORMER RUSSIAN STATE.
MAKING DEALS IN SECRET AND MAKING A PROFIT OFF DEALS THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE SHADY MONEY HE HAS RECEIVED. PARDON PEOPLE WHO LATER GAVE HIM MONEY. LIKE 700,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF STOCK HE SOLD. MONEY FROM A FORIGN GOVERNMENTS LIKE DUBAI.

KEEPING THEIR TAXES SECERT BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE FOUND OUT BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT SLEEZES THEY ARE THAT THEY WOULD DEAL WITH THE DEVIL HIMSELF IF THEY COULD MAKE MONEY OFF HIM.

WE NEED AN OPEN GOVERNMENT AND A CLEAN GOVERNMENT THAT SHE ISNT ONE FO THEM. SHE KEEPS BRINGING UP RESKO AND OBAMA, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDNT BE THROWING STONES. THE CLINTONS HANDS ARENT VERY CLEAN GOING BACK TO WHITEWATER, ROSE LAW FIRM.

I HOPE A PRAY WE GET A GOOD MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND JOHN MC CAIN ISNT ONE EITHER. THE ONLY ONE CLEAN OF DIRTY MONEY IS OBAMA. MAYBE HE IS A LITTLE GREEN BEHIND THE EARS BUT ID MUCH RATHER HAVE HIM BECAUSE HE IS BY FAR THE MOST OPEN AND HONEST PERSON THATS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

HILLARY IS DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO MAKE HIM LOOK DIRTY AND A CHEAT. REMEMBER ONE THING THE ONE THAT PROTESTS THE LOUDEST IS THE ONE WITH SOMETHING TO HIDE. AND THE ONE MAKING MISS STATEMENTS IS THE ONE WHO HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. AND THE DIRTIST ONE IN THIS CAMPAIGN IS CLINTON....

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mike, St. Louis MO. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:39 GMT

For the 1st time in 38 years of voting I crossed the party line to vote for Barack Obama, but if the Clintons are are allowed to continue their corrupt behavior where all they care about is themselves, I will go back across the party line and will NEVER, EVER cross it again. We have an opportunity to finally end this corrpution that so many say is American Politics and we cannot allow this to be taken back away from us. Hillary Clinton, just as with Bill Clinton will polarize the Democratic Party and within 2-4 years will again lose control of both the House and Senate...IS THIS WHAT THE Super Delegates want...and don't forget this is YOU! Barack already approved this unity by getting the Ill House seat back to the Democratic side...show me one Senate/House seat where Hillary can take credit for since this primary has begun. She will do the opposite...just remember Super Delgates...if you vote against the change that Mr. Obama is bringing to the party...when you find yourself outside looking in on your next election...let's see how Hillary repays you when your head is on the block. Bill sure did for everyone when he was in there didn't he?

Also, the Clintons say they want all of the BIG STATES, but everyone knows that California and NY will go Democratic no matter if it is Barack or Hillary and if you also look at all of these big states Barack got more votes in almost every one of them than did McCain...so why would anyone thik in a General Election McCain will be able to reach outside of his normal base to attract more votes than Barack gets by reaching outside of his normal base? Plus, we also know that Hillary never gets anything outside of her normal base and won't in the general either and when she alienates all of the Barack supporters they will then either stay home or jump to McCain (I will), it won't matter what happened in these big states.

It is time to tell ALL of the Clintons THANKS, but it is time to RETIRE from American Politics...we want the corruption to end...!!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:47 GMT

Obama can't win the big states.
He'll lose the general election by a landslide to McCain.
he super-delegates should do what's best for the party.
Not what's best for the independents who'll run away after this election is over.
If he can't win NY, OR California, OR Texas...he can't win the general election.
Choose Hillary, or we will lose in November.
It's as simple as that.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:50 GMT

That Grossman letter is gross. It simply represents the audacity of arrogance. Again, I predict that if Hillary steals this nomination, the Obama delegates will storm (not walk) out of the convention. In large numbers, Obama supporters will either vote for Nader or stay home. This is the Republicans' dream. Thanks Hillary, once again you and your husband are both like bulls in a china shop. In blind lust for ambition, you will destroy everything. Did you ever think that the Clintons would come to represent the corrupt and lying 'old guard', hanging on to power for dear life? Sort of fitting, isn't it? 35 years ago, they helped to bring down Nixon and now they are so Nixonian.
Obama '08
Obama '08

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Chattanooga Democrat — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:12 GMT

I think the Democratic Leadership actually are a bunch of potted plants. Loco-Weed, perhaps? They are high on the power, and they think the voters are morons.

Not only that - they are "super" because they were chosen by . . . themselves . . . due to their . . . abundance of . . . cronies. So really, instead of potted plants, they are more like parasitic strangler vines or overwhelming Kudzu that wants to take over the Presidential campaign. Anyone got some Round-Up?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Sierra, SF — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:12 GMT

Hillary had her chance and she BLEW IT
She's acting like there's a race....
IT'S OVER

Obama is inevitable

From Huff Post:

'...Dick Morris to Clintn: It's Over'

The real message of Tuesday's primaries is not that Hillary won. It's that she didn't win by enough.

The race is over.

The results are already clear. Obama will go to the Democratic Convention with a lead of between 100 and 200 elected delegates. The remaining question is: What will the superdelegates do then? But is that really a question? Will the leaders of the Democratic Party be complicit in its destruction? Will they really kindle a civil war by denying the nomination to the man who won the most elected delegates? No way. They well understand that to do so would be to throw away the party's chances of victory and to stigmatize it among African-Americans and young people for the rest of their lives. The Democratic Party took 20 years to recover from the traumas of 1968 and it is not about to trigger a similar bloodletting this year....'

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Ben in Nashville — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:13 GMT

But didn't he say that he's a Clinton supporter? I'm confused. Why doesn't HE remain uncommitted? And can we take his "sacred trust" statement seriously if he's already given his support to Clinton? Hillary Clinton doesn't believe that anything is sacred.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

patty,sd,ca — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:34 GMT

what a nicompoop. He's practivally telling the supers how to make their judgment. Is he not doing exactly what he's speaking against?

Get real, assholes. You'll never catch Obama's the delegate lead. The most she will get from Pennsylvania is 8-10 more delegates and that will be the highest she'll get to the end of the primaries.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kevin, PA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:51 GMT

The supers can hold out and let this drag on while letting the bickering continue at the cost of damaging both candidates chances or they can pile on to one of the candidates to stop the bickering so we can start focusing on the general election.

Of course I think everyone can agree that the sooner we stop the bickering the better. So the only real choice is who should the supers side with. They could side with Obama who is currently leading in all aspects and will probably be leading even if they let this play out. Or they could side with Clinton and turn off a large number voters.

The choice is pretty easy to me. I switched from Green to Dem to support Obama. At one time I was prepared to vote for Hillary but once again I have been turned off by her tactics and disregard for the party that she continues to damage by allowing this primary season to drag on.

If her tactics pay off and she is able to win the nomination through questionable means I truly believe you will see many voters such as myself either stay home or vote for Nader in the general election.

I think every Obama supporter should start telling the supers that a vote for Hillary is a vote for Nader!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kevin, PA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:51 GMT

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Diamond — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:02:16 GMT

The Irish blast Clinton foreign policy claim

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/09/irish_blast_clintons_foreign_policy_claim/9676/

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Trey, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:02:50 GMT

I saw a new add by Clinton claiming to play up her ‘Blue collar roots’ Last time I checked Park Ridge, Illinois wasn't blue collar but elite. Obama has to point out she has been a rich kid her entire life and is no more blue collar than Romney. He should say, when I heard how people were talking about the elite candidate and the blue collar candidate I thought they confused the biographies. I worked from the bottom, Sen. Clinton has been part of the elite her entire life. Shoot, if SNL wasn’t so completely biased towards Clinton they would make fun of her acting as if she was her husband. Point out her negotiations at Camp David, even though she had a first ladies lunch and wasn’t at Camp David. Have her even ‘remembering her days growing up poor in Arkansas . . . oh wait I grew up rich in Chicago.

Ok Obama, you hit her on NAFTA, but what true middle class blue collar workers hate is China. You need to point out how much money both her and her husband take from China and how many shady dealings they have had with Chinese companies and ‘citizens’. For goodness sake a company that’s a front for the Chinese government netted ol’ Bill $700,000 just last year. NAFTA is great but China is the key to the Midwest. And for all those Clinton fans, do you really want a President beholden to China a communist country? Do you forget that the Clinton’s are the ones that paved the way for the Wal-mart China connection that is killing the American worker? Please people think with your minds, not with your private parts.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Tilden, NYC — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:03:39 GMT

The Superdelgates should not be bound by the earned delegate math, but neither should they be limited to the electoral math.

If Superdelegates take their responsibilities seriously, they will consider the impact of the two candidates on down-ballot races. Who is more or a drag or lift in margin US House seats? States with Senate seats, and Governor's mansions in play? With redistricting literally around the corner, they need to consider the potential impact on their parties ability to capture state legislatures.

The Supers also would need to consider the broader party-building benefits of each candidate. Do they expand the playing field in terms of "gettable" states? Do they expand the electorate? Do they shift the framing of the political dialogue onto ground better for the party's vision of a more liberal America?

Finally, Superdelegates exercising true independent judgement will consider the relative depth of the downside of nominating and losing with either candidate. In other words, if the party loses with Obama, will the long-term consolation benefits (in terms of voter's party id, party image and framing) be greater than they would be if they lost with Hillary? (Or vice-versa.)

What is remarkable about the Clinton campaign position thus far is that it wants it both ways. Over-rule the rank and file, but don't consider anything broader or more strategic than the potential nominees battle-testing and possible performance in the megastates.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

amazed in OH — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:04:22 GMT

Unbelieveable. This from the Democratic Party of the United States ? Why don't we then stop having primaries and caucuses all together if party leaders are going to override the will of the people anyway ? This also comes from the same group that is so outraged by Florida and Michigan not having their voices heard. What about the voices of the millions who have voted already ? They don't count I guess.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Willis — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:05:04 GMT

There is no selection process to check the background of candidates for the President of U.S. We, the people cast our votes based on the limited information we have for each of the candidates. It should be the responsibility of the Super-Delegates to protect the Party and the Presidency, and since they have intimate knowledge of the candidates' background, they should vote based on protecting the Presidency!!

Hillary has many demons in her closet: 1) refusing to release tax return 2) refusing to release White House papers during her First Lady tenure, 3) Bill's refusal to release contributors to his Presidential Library, 4) Hillary's refusal to make transparent her $310 million earmarks, 5) Bill's business dealings with foreign countries, 6) the lawsuit of the Clintons in Paul v. Clinton, etc.

It makes me uneasy with the Clinton and it should be the same for the super-delegates. If Hillary does not comply within the framework established by the DNC, then she should be dropped from the Democratic Party and as a candidate for the Presidency.

How can super-delegates support a candidate who is runing from the LAW!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Tom Carrington — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:05:20 GMT

I think we should calculate the delegate count on the DEM side as a winner takes all delegates and see if one person's lead pulls away from the other. Then go with it.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Myra — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:05:30 GMT

WOW ! I GUSESS I'M JUST NOT INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO ELECT THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. WHY POOR STUPID ME I THOUGHT MY VOTE MATTERED IN THIS COUNTRY. EVIDENTLY IT ONLY MATTERS WHEN THE SUPER DELEGATES SAYS IT MATTERS.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kelly McNulty, Pittsburg, Pa. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:05:47 GMT

A SUPER CANDIDATE, WHO CAN AND WILL WIN THE ELECTION, IS HILLARY CLINTON. hillaryclinton.com.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Tom Carrington — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:07:30 GMT

I think we should calculate the delegate count on the DEM side as a winner takes all delegates and see if one person's lead pulls away from the other. Then go with it.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

joedoe, olympia — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:07:59 GMT

The convention in Denver is going to make 1968 look like a PTA meeting. Nice job Hil!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

max — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:09:13 GMT

as usual all you obamaniacs want it both ways. when it comes to florida and michigan: the rules are the rules, but when it comes to superdelegates, the rules don't matter. go drink some more kool-aid

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Jen, Altamira — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:10:11 GMT

Yes, with the Clinton haters dividing the party by being right wing lemmings and following their instructions perfectly, mirroring their talking points and ensuring they get the nominee they want the Republicans are well positioned to win the Presidency. Welcome President McCain, thank you Obamamania for destroying Dem chances by splitting the party with the Hillary bashing and of course, let's not forget Obama's part, having the world's largest ego and all, and of course a great marketing campaign, look how many are seduced by it, never once stepping away for even a moment and exploring reality.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Sick of Same Old Politics, Louisville, KY — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:10:27 GMT

I never was a fan of Bill Clinton's integrity (or lack of it) but I liked a lot of what he did as a president. Now I'm just plain tired of the clintons... as tired as I am of the Bush dynasty. Does anyone here think for a moment that if we elect Hillary Clinton to the Whitehouse that she's going work to unite the country and take us in a new direction with respect to how we do politics? Personally, I think it's more likely that we'll see more Karl Rove style politics, but with the Democrats in the majority.

I'm tired of politics that relies on demonizing the opponent in order to gain a position of strength. I do think the super delegates should use their minds, and I think they'll see that Obama is the best chance for the Democrats, and for the country.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Lety, Texas — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:12:08 GMT

I sure do hope that more superdelegates show their intelligence, and cahones by voting for the most qualified candidate. College kids have a lot to learn about life. Our economy is in disarray, our national leadership is failing us, and our healthcare system is in collapse. The last thing we need is a bunch of beer guzzling, skirt chasing, free-loading kids choose our next president!!! It is not about the "coolest" person winning, but the most prepared!! Those under thirty five who give barrack hussein obama their support suffer from the Peter Pan Syndrome and long for the days when deciding what party they were going to attend was their only decision to make!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Dianna - Owasso, OK — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:12:56 GMT

Disgusting !!!!!!
I am a lifelong Democrat and I will leave the party should the super delegates overturn a lead given to one party or the other in elected delegates. I support Obama and Hillary will never get my vote not in a million years however I would abstain from voting for her should she legitimately win. If my party’s leaders do something I find to be undemocratic I will leave the party all together. The argument is disgusting. They should look into their hearts and see that one person in this race wants to win at all costs with no regard to party unity or fairness and that person should be punished the best way a politician can be punished. Do not vote to promote or condone that behavior!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Megan, Madison, WI — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:13:09 GMT

This man speaks of judgment and stewardship. Anyone with good judgment and with the best interests of this country at heart will vote for Barack Obama. People seem to have a very short memory when it comes to the Clintons. You all seem to forget that they cannot be trusted. You choose to remember the '90s in a rose-colored haze, but you forget the constant scandal, the constant embarrassment. This is not the time to put our country through the scandal ringer. We need to improve our standing in the world, and Clintons will turn the White House into Jerry Springer land, not to mention lie to and cheat the American people.

Hillary Clinton cares about one thing...Hillary Clinton. That's why she refuses to shut down lobbyists and special interests, that's why she's taken the most ear marks, and wants to continue the practice of making deals behind closed doors. She wants business as usual in the White House, and that is against the best interest of the United States.

Any Super Delegate who can't see that isn't worth his or her salt.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Carol Jacksonville Florida — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:14:48 GMT

Good letter.

The question is who can be elected under the electoral college system and who can govern. Obama is a great orator, but has shown no interest in the details of governing. He has been described as a diletante in several recent newspapers-someone who has no interest in hard work. We do not need an orator, we need someone who can govern and find solutions to very pressing economic problems.

I want my Florida vote to count in this nominating process. If you do not allow superdelegates to participate and allow Florida and Michigan voters to have a say in this nominating process, I doubt any democratic nominee will win in the fall.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Carrie, Houston, TX — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:02:07 GMT

Using Steve Grossman and the Clintonistas' argument, then the Supreme Court was better qualifed in 2000 to pick a president than the voters were....

The voters will not stand for it this time. Hopefully the Clinton camp will render themselves unconscious with their own dizzying spin.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Susan Erickson, North Branch, MN — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:03:58 GMT

I think this argument is at root part of the process that the elite in this country have been using over the last thirty years to dumb down the voters in this country rather than value them. This is by philosophy a republican argument not a democratic one, it is disingenous to say that caucuses are undemocratic because it disenfranchises the working class and elderly.

Anyone who has participated in caucuses observes that the elders are respected, listened to, as they provide leadership in deciding the party platform. (lots of senior citizens are in attendance who still actually believe in the democratic process and the power of the vote--not "party bosses"). As part of this a confidential voting box is provided, people can vote and leave but all are invited to participate. Votes designate the proportion of delegates, but community meetings encourage community building, voter motivation and excitement, the sense of belonging in the formation of a movement. These are the root reasons why Obama, with his community organization experience has most benefited from the caucus states. Add to that the philosophy of only campaigning in the blue states that has led to so few democratic wins over the last thirty years and the Clinton campaign adheres to that losing strategy...enough has been said about us states who are too small and unimportant, too red, undemocratic. The voter is getting the message that Obama's campaign instead is one of all the people. Isn't that part of our Declaration? Come on people. The democrats have got to figure this out or we will find another repub in the white house.

Democrats philosophically place equal value on everyone's perspective and voice and debate includes voting on resolutions and reaching consensus agreements. Most caucus states include the right to be released from work in order to attend the caucus, just like the right to leave work to vote, or participate in juries, is supported. (I have been a working mother who gets home exhausted, most of the people who showed up at our precinct caucus were in that similar category, but people not participating has been from the growing hopelessness that participation is meaningless as we have seen systematic disenfranchisement at the voting booth.) Caucuses have been the root of how our government works as participatory.

I am not saying that primaries do not have their advantages in allowing early voting, objectivity and a larger availability and convenience for the voter. But the outcomes are more subject to media spin, the last minute sound bite from unscrupulous candidates, as we saw in Ohio, and people see it as a responsibility but doesn't leave them with as deep a feeling of belonging or part of the party as the caucus do. The caucus system is supposed to build grass root leadership, and lead to mobilization to support chosen candidates in the eventual election campaign. My memory tells me that it used to be that the Democrats endorsed a candidate and then we had a final primary in September, at least in MN. Endorsed in the same way that the unions or other civic groups do. With endorsement comes support and recognition. This suggests the necessity for membership in the democratic party that goes deeper than self labeling on a ballot. As view Lieberman beating the democratically endorsed candidate in his election, running as an independent against your former party is a handicap but always an option.

The US government was based by our founding fathers by debate and consensus, and an educated electorate is one of the basic principals, as in a full participatory democracy. in a "1984" Orwellian conversion of meanings, the Clinton campaign is subtly reversing the definition of participatory...don't trust the humble worker voter that they deceitfully pretend to represent...trust the expert elite who will decide things for us for our own good. Establishing the voter as a passive receiver of government, persuaded to give over our rights. in this it is politics as usual to what we have seen over the last 7 years. it is at root a major philosophical difference over what America really means. I fear for us, because i don't want to continue down the road we have been for the last 7 years, but also the last 30 years. It has been a progression of weaning the voter and the worker from our uppity pride and dumbing down the populace, distracting us like ancient Rome, while our government is gutted for the benefit of the few.

Anyone is welcome at democratic meetings, anyone is welcome and is given equal voice at a caucus, anyone can be elected from their peers to represent them at county, then regional then state caucus and then be chosed to represent their peers at the national caucus. Primaries designate proportional candidate affiliations and then the candidates can choose the delegate (at the recommendations of the local campaigns) who represents them at the national. That might not be "bad" but is it more democratic? I think not.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

John Doe, Raleigh, NC — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:04:11 GMT

Perhaps Mr. Grossman will be a guest lecturer in my Social Studies class if and when his will is exerted at the National Convention. He can then explain to my 8th grade students-largely impoverished, largely from families with no voting record at all, largely looking with a jaundiced eye at life already-how a convention that overthrows the will of the majority guarantees that they have a voice in their future and the future of their country. My students have been motivated by the personalities (both Republican and Democrat) involved, by the issues tackled, and by the historicity of the race. They have actively watched the debate and polling processes and held lively discussions in my class. Threatening to defeat the democratic process via Tammany Hall machinations will only convince these young people that there really is no democracy and they really do have no voice, no vote, and no power. Perhaps he will come and explain to them (and me) why his vote should count twice and how these young people's votes and voices mean just as much as his.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Kim, Pasadena, CA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:01:36 GMT

This isn't a "deadlock," unless the meaning of that phrase has become meaningless. Deadlock means a tie that cannot be broken. Senator Obama leads no matter how the Clintons' campaign decided to split the voters for today's spin -- Senator Obama leads in States won, votes cast, primaries and caucuses.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

SHIRLEY AR. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:02:35 GMT

ONCE AGAIN.
IF YOUR A HILLARY SUPPORTER, CHANCES ARE YOUR NOT GOING TO GET YOUR VOICE HEARD HERE.
TAKE YOUR CHANCE!!!

KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOUR DOING HILLARY!!!!!!!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Ellis B. Kingmam, Az. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:04:12 GMT

What ever happened to democracy, the majority rules? The insinuation that the opinion of one or a few trumps the opinion of the masses is more consistat with a dictatorship. Democracy 'IS' all about the numbers stupid.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Doug Young Jacksonville, TX — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:04:58 GMT

Looks like 90% B Husine Obama's people ewspond more then real thinkers. Same thing happens in the Caucuses. They stand up and bully their ideas and get people to think their way. Take away the caucuses and the black vote and Obama will not even be in the running. Good black people are voting for him JUST because he is black.

Wait and see what happens if Obama wis the nonination. Stuff will come out on Obama and make you say to yourself "why did I vote for him? I would not have if I had known this about him") The republicans are not going to pull any punches. Obama better get some hand gear but more imporant a JOCK STRAP because John will it him in the head AND below belt.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Chas. Ocean, NJ — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:08:00 GMT

our party concluded that we had demonstrated the ability to act as stewards of the national party--and of the national interest. By dint of our experience in the community and our public service, we were adjudged fit to fulfill a moral responsibility

Isn't there a "super delegate" who is around 21 years of age? What kind of experience does he have? So what, you know somebody who knows somebody - or do you have photos that show something we should perhaps see?

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Randy Stapleton, Belcamp, MD — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:09:57 GMT

As usual, the Democrats will play by their own rules only when it is convenient to the Clintons. The rest of the party and country be damned! Hillary was supposed to win, and therefor, she will. And all the good little Clinton Democrat communists will follow the party line like lemmings. Sorry Senator Obama. You would have had better luck getting elected in back in Communist Russia.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Joy for Obama, Virginia — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:05:24 GMT

The Clinton campaign is just a disaster. They didn't worry about a nomination issue didn't favor them. The caucuses weren't an issue before the absolute short sightedness of the campaign not having planned beyond Feb 5th.

South Carolina didn't matter, small states didn’t matter and don’t matter more because Obama won more, caucuses didn’t matter and don’t more because Obama owns them. (A testament I might add to his ground game and organizational skills). Delegates were the only thing that mattered; now they don't matter because overtaking Obama’s lead in delegates will be nearly impossible. Now we have the renaming of delegates. Turning super delegates into automatic delegates so they can be specifically redefined in Clinton’s favor. And now a new term "caucus delegates" is being bandied about to further complicate an already tortured process. The Clinton Camp is surely trying to cook up something, and it doesn’t smell appetizing. MI and FL didn't matter, (Ickes determined the outcome of both states jumping their turn in the primary schedule and Clinton signed and understood the ramifications just like every one else) now they matter. And, by the way, I remember the nauseated sinking feeling coming over me as I watched HRC (Her Royal Crassness) declare victory in Florida. How do you declare victory for a win that wasn’t win-able? That’s when I thought, her new campaign slogan should be “Let the Games Begin”. I knew then what she has confirmed since is she will do ANYTHING to get elected. Back to Caucuses. Caucuses cannot be an option in either MI or FL because HRC doesn't do well in them. Never mind what's best for the people.

It's almost too much to bear. It’s absolutely downright exhausting to muddle through every single issue the Clinton campaign is trying to make an issue of.

Finally, Obama is in the lead currently. He leads, in delegates, elected and super combined, popular vote, and in states won. And, and as the leader, Billary has the mendacity to float the idea of Obama being HER vice president. It’s the two for one BS. And just how is the two for one supposed to work will Bill being in the WH? How twisted is that? Didn’t work when Bill was president. The republicans shut HRC down after the healthcare debacle and Billary became lame ducks with nothing substantial to do and we all know what happens when Bill’s got nothing to do. Since when does someone in second place offer someone in first place an opportunity to be THEIR also ran. The unmitigated gall is appalling but more pathetic and sad than anything else. Hillary has wanted to president all her life. What else can explain the sh!t she ate and the humiliation she endured during the Lewinsky scandal and the impeachment trial. I believe the only reason she stay married to Bill is because she would have to kiss her dream of being president good-bye as a divorced woman. It’s exactly the reason she has such high negatives, aside from her polarizing personality, and that voice and laugh from HELL! There are no rocks she wouldn’t climb under to become president. Pretty amazing and extremely unattractive. When I pictured the first real female nominee for the presidency, I just didn’t think she would look and act so……political. I believe it’s time for a woman president, just not this woman.

The Hillary folks are Political Animals in the worst sense of the meaning. There's no end to the whining and complaining and trying to get Team Clinton to play within the bounds is like trying to get a two-year old to draw within the lines, All this from a "seasoned and ready to lead day one" politician and her minions. I cannot believe that I actually considered voting for Hillary. JMTC

Former DNC chair's message for supers

k. caine houston, tx 77077 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:06:57 GMT

Why is it that anything that seemingly does not drop into the Obama camp is to be not challanged, but ravashed as "anti-American" or somekind of thievery of the American way ?
The Republican party already has it's candidate...IF the Democratic party was under the
same rules for selection, the Democratic party would also have it's candiadte. In that realization,
the roll of the so-called big states is underlined,
and, to ignore that is to ignore political reality.
Too, while the Florida and Mich.delegates cannot be seated under present conditions, citizens who took time to vote in those states anyway have an absolute right to be herd in terms of the popular vote. What makes (some of you) think that your voice in the party surmounts another single-ciizen, single-vote voice if that voice eminates out of Florida or Michigan ? Why are so many Obama supporters so eager to see Clinton supporter voices muted ... if "they ain't for Obama, lets shut them up, shut them out ?
I have sincere hope that the Democratic party gains some form of common sense and revamps the primary methodelogy..when the DNC went away from the 'winner take all' format, they threw out the baby with the bath water..creting the present day
mess. A far fairer, and far more representitive method would be to award the winner of (any) state 40% (perhaps 50%) of the delegates, and award the remaining 60% (or 50%) proportionatly.
The way things stand now, I would have to go with Hillary Clinton as my party's standard bearer: she leads in the popular vote (inclusive of Florida and
Michigan ... the delegates are on the outs, not the
state's citizens and to imply that any part of our
country's citizenary is 'on the outs' because someone says so or wants it to be that way, threatens all Americasns, not just Floridians or folks from Michigan ... when SOME lose thier rights in a democracy, ALL lose their rights.) I am threatened by the eagerness of some to take the
route of preemptivness against fellow Americans, threatened by some who insist "I am more Amerixcan than you are and therefore I have more American rights than you do." I am confounded by those who
believe that if I am not for Obama, then I am not for "change" and, possibly, I am not a good American.
Change has somehow come to mean intolerance for
"non-believers" tosome Obama supporters> Hillary Clinton stands for change too, so why Obama supporters have confiscated the word "change" as
some kind of Obama copyright is in itself misleading
... more change will occur in a clinton presidency,
simply because 'change' has to be walked, not merely talked.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Andy, Fort Washington, MD — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:17:52 GMT

The clintons are indeed ready to do (or say) anything to win elections. Have they realized how contradictory their arguments are? First they say Obama is not ready to be commander-in-chief, as if any of them have been in the military, yet they want him in a joint ticket as vice presidential candidate. Secondly they keep making this stupid argument about how caucuses are undemocratic yet they are telling super delegates that is ok to just line up behind her even if she is behind on elected delegates and the popular votes. It shows that they do not care about how they win, all that matters to them is winning. Makes me sick

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Gopalan, Philly — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:22:24 GMT

I have feeling that Clinton will get the nomination for several reasons. It sounds very unfair (it is, in many ways). But no one said the world is fair.

1) Clintons' hold on the party: Think about this. What would have been the reactions if Hillary was leading the delegate/popular vote/number of states won count? Obama wouldn't have had a chance and under enormous pressure from Clintons to quit (he would have). Which shows he's a lightweight in the party. Even if he had won Texas/Ohio, he would have been brushed aside by saying that it didn't matter ultimately in delegate/vote count. Nobody would even talk about re-votes.

2) Same goes for the above scenario plus a Florida+Michigan win for Obama earlier. They wouldn't count. Again Obama would have been thrown out of the race. Most politicians play chicken when it comes to facing Clintons, basically because they hit under the belt and play dirty.

3) Looks like Hillary is winning the 'race'. But I don't think it's her fault. The more AAs vote for Obama, the natural tendency of whites to vote for a white increases. There is no way for him to fight this, unless he falls back to where he started and looked like a unifying figure. I sense the 'race' card is working in the media too.

4) I get a feeling that Clinton will somehow get the nomination, simply because the results of the manipulation are heading in her direction. For example, Obama's team is not able to respond to FL/MI revote saying it's unfair to them. They run the risk of alienating those voters just in case of revote.

5) A Clinton nomination will be bad for the party in one major way: the recent record turnouts are because of new voters who mostly go Obama way. I think at least most of them will turn off. The surge of turnouts will be neutralized.

6) Hillary's references to McCain's experience will come back to bite her.

7) I believe there is one way for Obama to win the nomination despite all this: there is an undercurrent of distaste about hillary camp's negative and divisive tactics. It is upto him only to convert them to votes, by ridiculing big time about the old style negative/divisive/backroom politics. I thought he was doing that very successfully but seems to have gone into a reactionary mode. Now he sounds more like a guy trying to keep his delegate count than adding to them.

Former DNC chair's message for supers

John Mehan, San Francisco, CA — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:38:27 GMT

The super delegates tend to be of the Clinton generation, and tend to support Hillary. If they cast their votes for Hillary (as she is urging them to do) in spite of the Obama lead, what a travesty that would be!

Former DNC chair's message for supers

Joe Roach, Peoria IL — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:56:35 GMT

Sorry folks, Grossman is the one who thinks at the level of a 'potted plant' and is the 'cafone'. He is the one who reminds one of 'Nero' or 'Mussolini' instead of 'Solomon'. Poor ol' Dom just forwards the Clintonista's read on things. Scusati. Otherwise, y'all have it just right as I peruse the blogs.