Being a superdelegate from New Hampshire, (with their "first in the nation primary" January 8th) AND having declared your support of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential candidacy a year ago, makes you fodder for every political researcher, pundit, and pollster through this entire election season.
Such is the fate of Gaetan DiGangi, 56, of Merrimack, a DNC Committeeman and Superdelegate.
According to the Nashua Telegraph, "there was never any doubt where I was going to be," he said at a Bill Clinton campaign appearance for Hillary held at the VFW in Nashua. "He gave us eight incredible years for this country, and she's got both the heart, the head and the experience to take us there again."
There is much talk in the media about Superdelegates these days - how they may have to decide a Democratic nominee this August at the DNC Convention in Denver - if the delegate counts of both candidates are too close to call.
More than 40% of voters are registered "Independents" and much in the New England style of things, like to keep their political intentions quiet until Election Day. But DiGangi publicly declared his support of Senator Clinton a year ago, and he's been touting her ever since. Being a vocal supporter, he's been quoted in several New England newspapers, and the national ones (NY Times, LA Times) as well.
In a Hillary Clinton For President campaign press release posted on her presidential campaign Web site, DiGangi says "Hey, I am for Hillary. My opinion is, when people get to know her, they will begin to see she is not the same person Republicans portray her to be."
DiGangi and his wife Gail are residents of Merrimack (a famous battleship in the American Civil War was named after it). He works in sales for the Crouse-Hinds corporation and according to the FEC Web site she is an engineer for Raytheon.
He became a Superdelegate eight years ago when he ran for DNC Committeeman in New Hampshire and won that election. He served his four year term, and ran again in 2004. He is finishing up his second term this year. In the last presidential election, he initially supported Dick Gephardt before he withdrew from the race after a disappointing caucus in Iowa.
There are seven Superdelegates allotted to the state of New Hampshire. Two, including DiGangi, publicly endorsed Senator Clinton, and two have endorsed Senator Obama. Three are uncommitted.
According to the Nashua Telegraph, Patrick Buchanan, a GOP New Hampshire primary winner in 1996, says that if Senator Clinton becomes the nominee due to Superdelegate intervention, "you will see an explosion at the Convention the likes we haven't seen since 1968."
And Time Magazine this week (March 20th ) brings to light several instances where Clinton support in Texas and Ohio was the work of Republicans switching party alliances, in the hopes she'll become the nominee; in their minds, (a "no brainer) and no match for John McCain. Superdelegates may have a much stronger say in the nominating process than they ever imagined.
Mr. DiGangi was contacted twice by e-mail at his work address without response.