Clinton Camp Presses Super Delegates Not To Take Sides

For weeks, the Barack Obama campaign has warned that Hillary Clinton would try to use her ties to the Democratic establishment to muscle 'super delegates' into backing her presidential bid, overriding a popular vote majority and Obama's plurality of pledged delegates elected in primaries and caucuses.

Now, however, as Obama has gained steadily in the polls, the Clinton campaign has reversed field. Top Clinton aides are pleading with uncommitted super delegates to hold off making any commitments, fearful that any commitments they make would be to back Obama, not Clinton.

A set of talking points emailed to Clinton supporters within organized labor describes the arguments to use on uncommitted super delegates. In the email, the Clinton campaign suggests telling the uncommitted delegates that "it would be unfair and unjust to cut off the nominating process now. There might come a time when the process needs to come to a close, but that time is not now."

In language that could have been lifted from the Obama playbook just a few weeks ago, the email says Clinton backers should make the case to super delegates that: "If House, Senate and DNC members try to end this process now, it would be very damaging to those institutions, the Democratic Party and our chances in November."

The entire DNC, members of Congress, governors, labor leaders and other key interest group leaders make up the 842 "automatic" or "super" delegates to the convention who are free to cast ballots for the candidate of their choice, regardless of how their state voted. To win, a Democratic candidate must have the support of at least 2025 delegates out of a total of 4048; 20.8 percent of the delegates are super delegates.

Just over three weeks ago, on February 6, Obama was the one warning that the super delegates might side with Clinton, even though he was ahead in the popular vote and in the pledged delegate count:

"If this contest comes down to superdelegates, we are going to be able to say we have more pledged delegates, which means the Democratic voters have spoken. . . . The argument we would be making to superdelegates is, if we come into the convention with more pledged delegates then I think we can make a very strong argument that our constituencies have spoken and I think that's going to be pretty important when it comes to the general election."

Clinton and her aides, three weeks ago, were, in turn, adamant in defending their efforts to persuade super delegates to endorse the New York Senator.

On February 16, Clinton told reporters that super delegates have "first-hand knowledge of the candidates" and "if people want to go after delegates in places that I've won who are supporting somebody else, what's good for the goose is good for the gander." At the time, Clinton had a substantial lead among super delegates. One estimate on February 8 gave her a 213 to 142, a 71 vote advantage.

More recently, however, the trend among super delegates making endorsements has been decidedly in Obama's favor; he has picked up the support of 35, including three who switched from Clinton. The Clinton campaign did not respond to queries as to how many super delegate endorsements she has picked up in recent weeks. The most recent super delegate count on RealClearPolitics shows her lead among super delegates dropping to 59, 241-182.

The count among pledged delegates chosen through primaries and caucuses is 1193 for Obama and 1038 for Clinton, or a 155 vote in favor of the Illinois Senator. Obama has so far won a total of 10,305,403 votes, according to RealClearPolitics, to Clinton's 9,379,822, a difference of 925,581 votes.

In the Clinton campaign's talking points email, Clinton supporters were told to argue that "late momentum in the primary may be an important factor impacting the perception of a candidate's strength going into the general election. If, as we expect, Hillary Clinton wins Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, the current dynamics of this race will shift dramatically."

Comments

[IkeChicago]

Why Hillary, why. So you want to keep your campaign going for the donations to wipe out your debts, it won't happen, it's like digging a hole to fill a hole. Make a deal to have Obama wipe out your campaign debts, he's got lots of money.

[Arbos]

Even with a Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania victory the Clinton's would come up short.

It's time for her to concede.

[Pjsandiego]

You are absolutely right. I'm so pissed at the Press in not reporting that fact. She simply cannot reasonably overcome Obama's pledged delegate lead and if that is the case the only way she can possibly win is if the Superdelegates put her over the top. What is the point of all of this. While not as bad as Huckabee, isn't it about time that we bring this process to a conclusion. If Obama was down this much he would stop. All the rest stopped. Exactly why should someone who is so far down in the polls, lost 11 straight, can't win the popular vote or the pledged vote have a need to continue on with this fight. She is every bit as stubborn and unrealistic as George W. Bush.

Please go away and let's get on with the real show.

[lisakaz]

Did you hear that KO interviewed someone (maybe Dana Millbank) who heard a Clinton staffer talk about sewing up the nomination via Puerto Rico? Could be akin to the Bu$h bubble.

[the964kid]

In the next 2 weeks (after March 4th) lots of those uncommitted super-delegates are going to come out for Obama because they know something that Hillary doesn't: this race is over.

[dzoner]

i concur.

if hillary doesn't concede after march 4th, the super delegates will come out heavily for barack. the handwriting is on the wall. now it's a matter of letting hillary save face and concede gracefully. if she doesn't she will be forced out. hard. and in disgrace.

[PrdAmerican]

The SDs are going to wait until Mar 4th. If she doesn't win and does not concede expect next week to be a surge of SD's siding with Barack...if she still doesn't get it, expect to see some pretty interesting interviews with high ranking DNC members.

Also, based on Richardson's interview tonight on CNN, it's pretty clear he's going to choose to back a candidate...and by his constant talk of change I'll allow you to guess who that might be. Edwards will probably be after Mar 4th to play it safe.

[HowardRoarke]

Anything is good, as long as it benefits Hillary.

Call it a day, Hillary.

[kroses98]

Every "Dog" has its day, and "Hillary Dog" is getting hers! She really deserves it!!! Too bad!!! So sad!!! (Not really. I'm actually joyous!!!)