If anyone doesn't know already, a superdelegate is defined by dictionary.com as being a party leader or elected public official chosen as an uncommited delegate to a national political convention. Although the Democratic Party does not refer to these political elite as superdelegates it is a common media practice, which has transfered to the public as well. This year with the race being so close between Clinton and Obama these delegates could be a huge deal. The superdelegates total up to about one-fifth of all the delegates, which is a quite large portion for being single people.
Like many other Americans I am appalled by the power of the superdelegates. I just don't feel that one person should have the power of a large community when it comes to allocating their delegate. The purpose of voting in America is for the country as a whole to choose a person, all citizens having equal representation. The democratic party is being accused as being extremely undemocratic in the fact that these delegates aren't strictly forced to choose a candidate by the preferences of the community they represent. The Democratic Party has to take a step back and see that they are sort of putting the election in the hands of the most powerful and rich white men. Statistics are showing that one of these allocated superdelegates will represent just as much as 10,000 regular voters.
Although this Democratic election is almost wrapped up by Obama there could have been a huge debate if these superdelegates would have actually made the difference. I think that American citizens have to tell the Democratic party what they think about the process that is currently in place. I'm not hating on all the superdelegates that actually vote with their community, but we just have to eliminate the chance that some might actually vote without taking in consideration to their community thinks. These political leaders might have to think twice because their stay in office could be jeopardized if they are careless with their power. We'll just have to see what happens with this power.
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Remember, though, that superdelegates are mostly elected officials. People have selected them to represent them, so there is some incentive for them to vote in the way their district voted.
Also, all delegates are not 'bound'. Even a delegate selected in the primary or caucus process can vote their own 'way'.
Does anyone know the statistics as to how many superdelegates and regular delegates have voted against their community. It seems as though there would be a big uproar if this were to occur, so I'm doubtful that it happens very often.
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