Home Issues Features Know Your Neighbor- They Could Be Super Delegates
Know Your Neighbor- They Could Be Super Delegates PDF Print E-mail
Written by Catherine Komp   
Thursday, 14 February 2008 08:15

According to one estimate, Barack Obama is leading Hillary Clinton in the race for delegates by 120 delegates. But if you add the Super Delegates to the mix, that lead shrinks to about 40. With the close race on the ground, Super delegates matter, they could choose the nominee. Every democratic member of Congress and every Democratic Governor are Super Delegates. But not all of them are elected officials. Your neighbor might get to vote more than in just their primary.

February 14 - Feature
produced by Catherine Komp
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Out of Virginia's 18 democratic superdelegates, six have endorsed Clinton, four have backed Obama. One of the remaining uncommitted superdelegates is Jim Leaman, president of the Virginia AFL-CIO.

"I felt it wasn't my place, because I am the head of a statewide organization. I didn't want to make an endorsement or support a particular candidate because I just didn't want to influence our members."

Leaman launched his own campaign in 2004 to become one of Virginia's superdelegates

"It's an election, you run for election, should I seek reelection, I haven't made up my mind to do that yet, normally I would call or mail various committee members who supported me in the past, I would ask that they support me again, and talk to their other committee members from throughout Virginia. And then I would get to the convention and start working, as in any election, start working the people so to speak, just as in any election."

Governor and Super Delegate Christine GregoireRoanoke attorney Richard Cranwell is another uncommitted superdelegate. He served in the Virginia General Assembly for three decades and is now chair of the state democratic party. He originally pledged his support for John Edwards.

"I like his message about economic justice and really kind of diluting the lobbyist influence over policy making in Washington DC, I identified with that message."

Even with the race so close this far into primary season, neither Leaman nor Cranwell think it will come down to their votes. And neither wanted to speculate about what they'd do if the decision came down to them. Regardless, they both say it's an enormous responsibility.

"Well, I think anytime you're a delegate to a convention to select a candidate that is going to in all likelihood be the next president of the united states, that is a very, very, very awesome challenge to undertake and anybody that says it's not doesn't understand how critical this election is to America and to America's future."

"And to think you would be one of the people making that decision – that's an awesome responsibility and that's why I'm taking it much more seriously than I was a couple months ago."

Any of the 796 superdelegates can change their mind up until the convention this August in Denver, Colorado. Critics call the system "undemocratic" because in such a tight race, the power of the superdelegates could negate the outcome of the popular vote.

In Richmond, I'm Catherine Komp, for Election Unspun.

photo by Life As Art
 

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