Our hunt to track down and interview the Democratic superdelegates intensifies. Yesterday, we called upon readers of the HuffPost to volunteer an hour or two of their time to become citizen journalists and help our OffTheBus project reach and interview all of the DNC appointed delegates that could likely decide the nomination, not to mention a bunch of elected officials.
There's plenty left for you to do, which I'll get to in a moment. But first a progress report:
In the last 24 hours, about 200 of you have signed up to be part of our team and have been assigned one or two delegates each to interview and research. We need to double that figure today.
We've also joined forces with Literary Outpost, OpenLeft, and Democratic Convention Watch as cosponsors of the Superdelegate Transparency Project, which is hosted at Congresspedia. Together with our partners we intend to track the results of the popular vote district-by-district, the allocation of pledged delegates, details about the superdelegates and how they are pledged and eventually how they will vote.
There's two ways you can join directly in this effort. If you're interested in conducting an interview, send an email to campaigntrail@huffingtonpost.com with your name, location (state), and phone number, and we'll get you started. We've got a well-worked out plan about how to go about this and we'll guide you right through the whole process. All of our interviews and research will be donated online to the Superdelegate Transparency Project.
Doesn't matter where you are but we're particularly looking for volunteers who live in West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kentucky, and -- yes - Florida and Michigan! and, all you need is approximately two hours from start to finish to complete an interview.
Or jump on board as a researcher. To find out more about that, check-in anytime today (Thursday) to the Superdelegates Transparency Project's chat room where you can choose your chore and get more info about how the project works. All day today STP's will be conducting an online "barn-raising" in the chat room and it should be a lot of fun to check in.
One way or the other, join us. Be a part of democracy and not just a spectator.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I rather suspect that this whole tempest in a teapot will be a moot point on election night as BOTH Florida and Michigan will end up in McCains column with their Electoral votes which are the only ones that really count anyway. Any thoughts on that premise?
I just sent Huff site, a post where I described Marc Cooper, as a "creep." This wasn't a word chosen without thought. If I'm invited to do so, I'll make as substantive a justification for that choice of words as I can. Yet, I feel close to certain, that that post where I called Cooper a creep, will not be published. We are invited to be "fans" of Marc Cooper, but when it comes to being an "anti-fan," there appears to be no such provision. I leave you to decide, if this is a democratic way of treating the reader of the Huff post. We are invited to support the people whose editorials you publish, as enthusiastically as we wish, but if we oppose them too indelicately, we're shut out.
Normally I would not respond to an appeal by such a creep as Marc Cooper. But the issue is an important one. Hillary Clinton doesn't determine whether the votes in Forida or Michigan count, we the people should make that determination. Why should any votes cast by citizens of our land, "not count?" Where the hell do you get this idea? Any fool that tells you that, needs his head examined. Hillary has received nothing but constant attacks and belittling in media. How can the citizenry, the voter, vote responsibly, if media are heavily biased against Hillary? The so called "will of the people," is actually being manipulated by media strongly favoring an Obama win. If a majority of delegates agree with this judgment, how will they be able to assess the "will of the people," if media have distorted and biased their judgment?
What in the world did Hillary Clinton do that she generates this kind of hatred? I really do want to know. It's one thing to dislike her, to disagree with her, but hatred is personal. When did the hatred for bush morph into hatred for Clinton (both), and from the democrats yet? All I would like is to see some balance before we decide who should win the primary, and why are these two (three if you count McCain) the only choices we have, already? Change? The only change there has been is that we switched from one messiah to another. You NEVER hear anything negative about Obama. NEVER. Just like it used to be with bush. Isn't anyone else just a wee bit suspicious?
I think Hillary should drop out of the race. Why would anyone continue to fight when they are getting the total crap beat out of them, have been for years, and continue to take it? Why anyone in their right mind would want to lead a country so downright cruel is beyond me. I thought we were supposed to be the best country, the best people. We have sunk to such lows, thanks to the damned media, no one, unless Obama actually is the second coming, can save us.
Agreed close all primaries sounds good but one can simply change ones registration .
I am concerned that the super-delegate issue is taking a shape that is dangerous. There are so many ways the delegates can determine the direction they take and the rules allow them to make their own decision. Now, voters are trying to get involved to sway the votes but they have an agenda, i.e. Obama vs. Clinton. I'm not sure it is wise to jump into the process before it has even been realized.
The superdelegates are mostly seasoned elected and retired officials of the Democratic Party. Just ask a prominent elected official (ie. a governor, representative, senator, etc) what their status is at this time. Most are uncommitted for now.
I think it is sad that "all these people" who are often registered independents or even registered democratics think they get to change all the rules to suit their own objectives. How long have they been in the Party, how much money have they given over the years to support democratic efforts? How many past meetings have they attended to try and keep up with the changes in our political system?
We, here in Atlanta have some elected and non-elected officials bullying Rep. John Lewis due to his support of Senator Clinton, but again most remain undecided. Superdelegates are chosen for their experience, their past history of committment to the party, their past fund raising efforts, community ties and current political status. THEY ARE NOT IN THE PARTY TO RUBBER STAMP THE OUTCOMES OF THE VARIOUS PRIMARIES, etc. There are too many independent voters who get to vote in the process and in the end, it is the Party which will help in all manner to get the nominee elected or not. Stop being so hyper about that which most obviously know little or nothing about and the primary season is nowhere over yet. As a registered democrat for the last 40+ years, I find it LOL at all the shrill tactics by the Obama crowd. What are they so afraid of? Another loss to another republican?
Automatic delegates count as one vote each at the nominating convention. No person or group should tell another person (not even a Superdelegate or an Automatic delegate) how they should vote. Any undo influence by a person or group to coerse or manipulate a Superdelegate or Automatic delegate is unethical. Let the Superdelegates decide for themselves what is best for the Democratic Party and America.
You sheeple { Obama con's } want to do anything but Count The Vote , you want to change one rule and keep another , you want to punish the voters who broke no rules , I want to count the vote , I and a record number of Democrats turned out to vote in Florida confident that a spat between party insiders would be settled reasonably without the Draconian Ploy of not counting the efforts of millions of Proud Patriotic Americans who went out and fulfilled there obligation as citizens in this great country and Voted . There efforts should not be wasted and there vote should not be thrown out they should be counted . Yes we can...count the vote and the winner is the winner . To plagiarize an unnamed source{what the hell is this Russia}.
All of the Floridians that voted for Hillary should sign an online pledge to not vote for Obama if he is the nominee. The Obamatrons would do the same if the situation were reversed.
I am an Obama supporter who is pledged, by Obama HQ her in Boulder, to support whoever turns out to be the nominee. That was the first thing that came up at the first obama meeting I went to long before Super Tuesday an Hillary was still look pretty "inevitable". and it still goes. Florida and Michigan screwed up when they refused to follow the rules, and don't forget, when those rules were made, pretty much all the candidates signed on. However. if at all possible, there shoul be a re-do of those two states. It bothers me A LOT that anyone is disenfranchised because of someone else's stupidity or lack of foresight. (Remember Florida in 2000?) Why re-do rather than just take things as they are? Because when it came down to the actual voting in those states, different candidates were playing by different rules. have two more primaries and make everyone happy and on the same rule page, but most of all re-instate those dienfranchised voters.
This solution changes the dynamics in place at the time of the election. There were different candidates, different momentum. Heck different everything. This option clearly supports Obama. Other options may support Clinton. The best solution is to seat them as is.
The only thing worse than a Super delegate not following the will of the people {the voters} is the systemic disenfranchisement of Florida and Michigan voters . Count the vote , count the vote , count the vote stupid . The super delegates should be thrown out and whom ever wins the popular vote total { all votes from all states } should be the nominee . Then and only then will I fully support the nominee no matter who that person is . One person one vote and all votes count . A little less confusion for the simple of mind .
Yes we can ... deny the voters of Florida and Michigan there representation . Yes we can... collaborate with insiders at the DNC to steal this primary election by tossing out the votes . Yes we can choose which rules to support and which rules to try and change . Yes we can accept victory that is neither earnest nor earned . Yes we can... not careless about the people of Florida and Michigan . Yes we can... use a red state black state strategy and divide the party . Yes we can... blow off Michigan and Florida voters and gift wrap those states to the GOP in the general election . Yes we can guarantee a GOP victory in November . yes we can... support the selective rule enforcement of the DNC {S.C. and N.H.} . Yes we can...enthusiastically count only the votes cast for us { THE Obama con's } .
poll taxes , poll tests , felon purge lists , selective rule enforcement from the DNC to take two big Clinton wins away before the first vote was even cast {not to mention publicity and momentum} . Are Carl Rove and Howard Dean working towards the same goal ? I guess you can call me old fashioned , I believe that the people who turned out in record numbers to vote ought to have there votes counted . Yes thats right count the vote . Count the vote , Count the vote .
nosanity is making no sense.
Everyone, including the Clinton team, agreed to the rules regarding Florida and Michigan.
Indeed, both those states knew they would be giving up voting power in return for "influence" over other voters following them.
They miscalculated. Their states went for Hillary but the nomination is going to go to Barack.
Now they want their votes to count at the convention too. That's not fair and no one believes it is.
The only way those states can play in the convention is if they take some sort of new vote where each candidate has a chance to participate fairly.
More than likely though, Hillary will lose Ohio and Texas by 10-15 points each and it simply won't matter.
In my view, instead of making pronouncements why you won't vote for Barack -- essentially helping John McCain win the presidency, a man who opposes torture in speech after speech but won't vote against it on the Senate floor and wouldn't bar the CIA from using it if elected President -- let's wait until March 5. By that time, I predict this race will be over.
Would any one of us so interested in this election sit idly by while our votes were completely disregarded? The voters of Florida and Michigan did not personally change the date of their primary and should not have their votes discarded.
This is not about Hillary and not about Barack. It is about running a legitimate election. It is given that all politicians will try to gain an unfair advantage.
The DNC is the one that miscalculated because now there is tremendous controversy surrounding the election process. Disenfranchising voters in Florida and MI? It benefits the black candidate? And it was the Dems? The legal ground is shaky and the moral ground is lost. Many have worked for years against the Pubs mischief against democrats and black voters. Leaving this as is will mean the Dems can kiss the general election good bye.
This virtually guarantees that Obama will lose those states, because in the election that counts, those states voters count.
Clinton said the reason she did not take her name off the ballot in Michigan is that those votes WILL NOT COUNT! She said it--either she is a woman who can be trusted to keep her word-- or she is a cheat, liar and fraud who will flip flop in anyway in order to try to win.
Oh, wait...we know which one she is...
And Obama said he would not campaign in FL,but he did. Just another Obama LIE. For that,he shouldn't get ANY FL delegates.
Relax. This is a project about a week or so too late. Obama's momentum makes worry over superdelegates an act of supererogation -- not necessary for salvation. It is only a matter of weeks before this will all be over and we will be left with a presumed nominee and the challenge will then be ensuring party unity and a clear sense of objectives for the convention and the fall election.
I agree this whole Super Delegate system is a slap in the face to working citizens who go to the polls, vote, and except the "one person one vote" will be followed by the democratic party. Instead we find a party dictatorship, Stalinistic in style, designed to ensure that party insiders will choose the candidate after spending years soliciting money from the working folks and telling them again and again "you decide."
But my interest is more in the money. What's the deal? I have written to Howard Dean and to my Senators, and they refuse to respond. So here are my questions: how much money, consideration, promises, or things of value have been given or promised to these "Super" Hacks. I heard one 21 year old saying that Chelsea Clinton was taking him to lunch. If he was a federal employee in charge of purchasing, for example, that would be considered a bribe. But apparently the democratic party never saw a bribe they didn't like.
We know that Obama and Clinton both are giving money to Super Hacks. How much, when, what was discussed? How about a full disclosure? How about a full disclosure of every communication from any candidate. Any threats? Promises?
Does the party pay for the Super Hacks to go to the convention? Airfare, hotel, rooms, drinks, cabs? How much? Where does that money come from? Do they pay for the un-Super Delegates too?
I think this is all another scam to funnel more money and more bribes into the pockets of the party insiders. It's a disgrace.
Obamas ten wins in a row are the equivelant of the Florida vote alone . The fact that he was losing bad in Michigan pulled his name from the ballot and jumped on the lets not count the vote bandwagon shows either a serious lack of judgment or a win at all cost I don't care how many votes don't get counted to hell with the voters {people} attitude . Some populist . If on the other hand he stands up for the voters {remember them} and insists that all the votes {Michigan and Florida} are counted , then and only then could I support him .{by voting for him} . So come on Barack whats it gonna be ? What kind of man are you going to prove yourself to be ? I will be watching with keen Interest . Tonights debate would clinch it for me . Speak up be a man of the people and Insist that my vote counts {a Floridian who did not break any rules} . Otherwise It will be the GOP that gets to count my vote come November . And I always vote .
Wow! That's scarey! You wave your one li'l measley vote around like it's a chainsaw or something horribly terrifying. I'm sure Obama is shaking in his shoes right now.
Obama didn't change your primary. Talk to your GOP controlled representative.
Specifically Gov. Crist. The only people trying to screw you are the same ones that did it in 2000. You Floridians need to get your act straight.
Was there record low turnout in FL. and MI. ? No there was tremendous turnout , because we want and expect our votes to count
If Obama can win after All the votes are counted {FL. , MI. single largest voter disenfranchisement in modern U.S. history} then and only then could I support him . FL. and MI. are two states that represent 18 % of the Electorate and anyone not willing to count those votes is not getting my vote .
If they only count votes by Democrats as the "popular" vote, that's fine. The problem is it seems that Obama has been pretty dependent on people who are not Democrats to get his "will of the people" vote.
Republicans are the enemy. I detest everything Republicans stand for. Republicans have completely screwed up this country. Their own candidates suck, so they want to take over the Democratic Party. Republicans do not have the same ideals as we do. They cannot be trusted to do what is right for America. They've proved that over the last 8 years. Why on earth are candidates for my party panderig to a bunch of evildoers? At least superdelegates are Democrats.
If you want "fairness" in the nominaton process, get rid of open primaries. Insist on consistent rules nationwide for voting in Democratic primaries. The current method of every state having different rules is stupid. No wonder no one understands what is going on.
Michigan and Florida deserve to have their delegates seated. It is the DNC's fault Florida's primary got moved forward, because of their stupid threats. Why were Iowa and New Hampshire not punished for moving their primaries forward to avoid allowing a more diverse state (Nevada)having an early primary?
Republicans, Independents and One-Day Democrats have no business choosing democratic party candidates. I do find Jesse Jackson Jr threatening superdelegates with retaliation if they don't vote for Obama very offensive. That crap does need to be stopped.
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Posted February 20, 2008 | 08:59 PM (EST)