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Superdelegates need to respect voters’ choice
JAMIE PAULSON; Tacoma
Last updated: February 12th, 2008 01:24 AM (PST)
Democrats in Washington spoke resoundingly at their precinct caucuses Saturday in support of Barack Obama for the presidential nomination.
Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Congressman Norm Dicks, meanwhile, have stated that they are endorsing Hillary Clinton. Each holds a superdelegate vote for the national convention that is not beholden to any vote of the people.
There is a significant chance that at the convention, the delegates elected via the primaries and caucuses will pledge their votes in favor of Obama, only to have the nomination decided for Clinton on the shoulders of the nearly-800 superdelegates whose votes represent only themselves.
This would essentially snub the grass roots of the Democratic Party and create division and frustration at a time when people are genuinely excited about participating in the political process.
I respect the right of the Democratic Party to control its nominating process, and the rights of the superdelegates to vote as they feel appropriate. I would hope, however, that if their votes might swing the tally away from the nominee favored by the electorate, our representatives would carefully consider the will of their constituents against their own preference.
Originally published: February 12th, 2008 01:24 AM (PST)
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