Scanner : superdelegates

Political Idols of The Day: Young Dems Who Turned Down $1M Bribe

Brian Fairbanks — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:03:00 GMT

Surely this race is beyond any previous level of intensity when one candidate's supporter offers students a $1,000,000 "donation" to their political organization in exchange for an endorsement...

Naming the candidate who's major donor reached out to the Young Democrats of America would sound like an attack. After all, it's not the candidate or even the campaign that's to blame, but the desperation of each Democratic candidate's supporters to end the race that is so telling here. The story, via the Huffington Post, minus identifying details:

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and [...] supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization's other uncommitted superdelegate backed the Senator.
Nevertheless, the group declined the overture. A YDA official cited moral reservations as well as the overwhelming consensus of its members to [not necessarily endorse that particular candidate - Ed.]

We discourage you from finding out the name of the candidate NOT involved, although we must link to the story anyway, to cover our asses. (If you do cave and read it at the Huffington Post, make sure to read all of it, including the final paragraph.)

Clearly, this man will be played by one of our favorite Deadwood stars in the Hillary Vs. Barack TV movie:

Scanner Survey: Should We Abolish Superdelegates?

Brian Fairbanks — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:49:00 GMT

No, not should we abolish the process... should we abolish them with a great big laser, drowning them in popcorn, as in the end of Real Genius?

Vote in our poll, which really just asks the former, although we were tempted...

Meanwhile, the award-winning folks at Agit-Pop have produced an animation for your pleasure.

If you agree with this video, you should sign the letter (click on Take Action, above):

Dear Democratic Party Leadership (and you know who you are):

We the undersigned, do hereby urge you to fundamentally overhaul the superdelegate system. Or ditch it completely. You decide. Don't let this meltdown happen again. You're the "Democratic" Party for God's sake. We're watching and we vote.

They'll send the letters as e-mails to friendly DNC types like Al Gore and Donna Brazile... so if you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments.

Superdelegates Coming To The Rescue... Finally?

Brian Fairbanks — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:46:00 GMT

With a new poll released today indicating a tied race in Indiana, the two remaining Democratic candidates are battling for every superdelegate's endorsement. In the last 24 hours, we've seen an uptick in press releases, with eight or nine more mythic figures pledging their support.to either Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or The Committee To Reanimate Richard Nixon (aka CREEP)...

The new names:

Clinton: Bill George (President of the AFL-CIO in PA), Luisette Cabanas (Puerto Rico political figure), Mike Easley (North Carolina Governor), Ike Skelton (Missouri Congressman.)

Obama: Bruce Braley (Iowa Congressman), Richard Machacek (Iowa Congressman), Lois Capps (California Rep.), Ben Chandler (Kentucky Congressman.)

Note that CNN is reporting five endorsements for Obama to Hillary's four in the last 24 hours, although we haven't found a fifth name as of post time. Meanwhile:

Mike Dukakis, the 1988 nominee, and George McGovern, who topped the ticket in 1972, told the Boston Globe they believe superdelegates should state their choice publicly soon after the primary season ends. The idea was first proposed by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Normally, we wouldn't care what those two bumbling former future Presidents have to say, but if the party can unify behind a strategy, any strategy really, that would ensure a conclusion to this process at some point before 2026, that's fine by us.

Via CNN.

Breakfast with Chelsea Apparently Not Enough to Close the Deal

Bryan Christian — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Who'd have thought that 21-year old Jason Rae, a superdelegate from the state of Wisconsin, would be pledging his vote to Obama after an aggressive whirlwind courtship by the Clintons that included breakfast with Chelsea?

“The Democratic Party is fortunate to have two very talented individuals running for President this election,” said Rae in a statement released by the Obama campaign Thursday. “It is a difficult choice for anyone, but in the end, the choice for me has become clear. I am proudly supporting Senator Barack Obama."

OK, we're sorry. We know that people got in trouble recently for sexualizing Chelsea's role in the campaign, but come on! Not only did this guy let her attempt to charm him over morning coffee, but he got a personal call from Big Daddy Bill. This is like Penthouse Forums for Young Democrats -- he's practically in the family now -- and he's still voting Obama!

How do you suppose he broke the news to Chelsea? We bet she was texting him for days -- "Y R U so distant? -- before he finally called her.

Huh, what do you know. We make a joke about a guy not-really-breaking-up with Chelsea Clinton -- and now we kind of hate him on her behalf. Jerk!