Superdelegates

The economy is struggling. An unpopular war appears to have no end. A widely mocked and loathed president sits in the oval office. All these components were supposed to spell disaster for the GOP and bring the executive branch back to the democrats. But thanks to the broken primary process and appointment of superdelegates, the democrats will be spending the next few months bickering amongst themselves, paving the way for warmonger John McCain to miraculously become our 44^th president.

It does not help that the democrat’s award delegates proportional to what percentage of votes a candidate won in a state, effectively awarding delegates to the loser in the state. Unlike the republicans – who have a winner take all approach – this process inhibits the leader to take a large lead heading into the democratic convention in August.

If neither Obama nor Clinton manages to secure the committed vote of 2,025 out of 3,253 delegates by the convention – a historically rare occurrence – then the votes of the 796 superdelegates become of vital importance. Superdelegates are democratic congressman, democratic governors, mayors, members of the Democratic National Committee, and various other individuals, some of whom are only 21 years old and have never voted in a presidential election – is that democratic?

Even more frightening is that the superdelegates are unchecked and are free to vote for whomever they choose, for any reason; whereas delegates are forced to vote for the winner of their district. This style of freedom opens the door for under-the-table-deals and bribes that the public will never hear about. Similar to an NCAA coach wooing a high school player, don’t think that the Obama and Clinton camps have not been contacting the superdelegates in hopes of influencing their vote at the convention.

We could be looking at another Gore-Bush fiasco. Obama may come into the convention with a lead in the popular – or delegate – vote, but after the superdelegates have had their say, Clinton could very well become the party’s nominee, assuring the Obama camp – and the rest of America – will become incensed. Which begs the question, why do the superdelegates even exist?

Why should some junior at Marquette University who can vote for whom he feels is “best for the nation” have the same authority as a delegate from California who represents thousands of voters? It is like giving Derrick Low the same voting power as all of Waller Hall. Just because Derrick may be a more recognizable student from WSU and wants the best for the university, it does not mean that the opinion that you and I hold should be much less significant. It is unfair and undemocratic.

There are several issues in this tiresome and inefficient nomination process, but the controversy of the superdelegates is the most prominent. In a thrilling and unprecedented race for the white house, it would be extremely disappointing to have it tarnished by the votes of a select few members of the political elite.

It is time to take the power from the superdelegates and trust the people in selecting the nominee. Now that is a super idea.