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Yesterday on CNNs "The Situation Room" Gov. Phil Bredesen from Tenn. suggested a Superdelegate Convention to end the divide between Clinton and Obama. He says it will prevent further party divide and allow Superdelegate transparency to the public. Did you hear about this and what are your thoughts? Is it a good idea or not? ”

Asked by caramelsugarberry38 on 27th March 2008

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Comments so Far...

Wow I agree completely with JDaffron! Right on!

Flag as inappropriate Posted by StarShar on 1st April 2008
I think it would be a good idea. It has been a shame to see what had been a fantastic process devolve into petty back and forth. I agree with JDaffron, that it would be great to see the conventions be more relevant than merely showering confetti on the nominee of, for all practial purposes, several months.
I think it would also help to dismiss this "back room politicking" that the media has been portraying the superdelegate process as.
It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Niki D on 28th March 2008
Actually, a lot of you may be too young to remember it, but once upon a time, a political convention was something to behold. Candidates weren't decided months before and the convention was simply a rubber stamp. Nope, ladies, back in the 60s-70s, you had good old floor fights. Ballots that went beyond the 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd one before having a nominee. If I remember right, there is a certain point at which the delegates are released from their obligation (from the primary result) and allowed to vote their conscience. It never split the party, and I'm talking BOTH sides here, and was a whole lot more interesting than the rubberstamping that has gone on for the last 20+ years. IMHO, we need to get back to this... The whole thing goes one WAY too long now (nearly 2 years and everyone's tired and sick to death of it).

IMHO, delegates need to be obligated to their primary results for the 1st 2 ballots. After that, let the games begin! Maybe then, it'll be a whole lot more interesting and better for all.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by JDaffron on 27th March 2008
I think it's a great idea. If it works according to how the Gov. proposed each candidate would have an opportunity to publicly pitch their reasons for why the Superdelegates should vote for them. It will be aired publicly so all Americans can watch and hear for themselves so that it's transparent and fair.

It would allow the nominee to be picked sooner than August (if we continue to wait this out till the DNC convention) so that the candidate can bring the party together and begin preparation for the general election.

I would like to see something like this in the wake that neither candidate will reach the 2024 delegate, the party is dividing right now over these nonsensical issues, and it looks like the SD will have to choose the candidate anyway come August which they say will prove to divide the party even further.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by caramelsugarberry38 on 27th March 2008
I think that once the Democratic candidate has been selected, the other will through all of their support wholeheartedly behind the other one, because more is at steak than just the other's political ambition, and they are both devoted to the cause of putting the Democrats back in control. When I watched the debates with Clinton and Obama, I got that sense. I noticed that the informal poll showed that Clinton supporters were more likely to go over to the McCain side...but you have to remember that this is now - before the primaries are finished.

Sen. Clinton is my Senator. I voted for her because she gets the job done and she has been good for NY. I think the Obama has a broader appeal and he seems to be a talented negotiator and facilitator. Their political platforms are not that much different, but the do approach solving the problem differently. Who do I think would be better at helping us through the middle eastern mess? Obama definately. Who do I think would be better for our economy...I'd have to say Clinton...based on my observation of political style.

I sincerely hope that whoever ends up the Democratic nominee, that the other candidate fights hard to get a Democrat in the White House, because I believe that a Republican will just give us the same old garbage that has been in there for the last 8 years. If McCain gets elected, its a sure bet that we will still be in Iraq, possibly Iran, and our national debt will be higher from financing the war that was waged to protect oil companies, while the divide between the rich and poor gets bigger and in our own country.

Don't get me wrong, I support our young men and women who are part of the military branch. I just want them home with us, rather than fighting a ghost in another country.

Flag as inappropriate Posted by Susan on 27th March 2008