A Warning to Our Superdelegates

After a week in which the Clinton campaign has sunk yet further into the gutter with its aggressive manipulation of Geraldine Ferraro's mad comments, the time feels about right to send a clear message to our superdelegates, specifically those whom we elect to public office. To start with, they need to understand that a growing number of us will not vote for Hillary Clinton in the fall. It is not only that we disagree with her on issues: some of us, perhaps, could get over her cynical support of the Iraq war in the name of party unity. What has put us over the edge is her scorched earth, morally corrupt campaign of race, religion and gender-baiting: power built on this premise is by definition depraved, and we want no part of it.

Probably more importantly for the superdelegates, they are not immune to our judgment, as a majority of them are elected officials. For progressive Democrats, in particular, it is increasingly unseemly for them to stand by as the Clinton campaign resorts to techniques that would have made Jesse Helms blush 20 years ago. It is no longer good enough for them to be undecided, or, far worse, to support Clinton's bid. Superdelegates are free to use their independent judgment, they like to say, and we are free to take that decision into account at the next opportunity, whether in a general election or, more likely, in a congressional or gubernatorial primary.

In New York, where it may have been understandable early on that a majority of the superdelegates would support Clinton, that time has passed. If it's good enough for civil rights hero Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a former staunch Clinton ally, to change his support to Barack Obama ("I want to be on the side of the people, I want to be on the side of history"), it's certainly good enough for Rep.s Gregory Meeks, Yvette Clarke, and Ed Towns to do so. If Jerry Nadler, Jose Serrano, Nydia Velazquez, Maurice Hinchey, Louise Slaughter and Carolyn Maloney are anywhere near as progressive as they like to say, they will reject the hateful rhetoric coming from the Clinton campaign and switch. As he is about to become Governor of New York, David Paterson now has a far more visible moral responsibility to do the right thing and disavow his support for Clinton, whether or not Rep. Charlie Rangel likes it. That would be one way for Paterson to distance himself from Gov Eliot Spitzer's appropriately tawdry Clintonian downfall.

Of course, it is not only in New York that pro-Clinton superdelegates' support hasn't wavered enough. In California alone, there are a dozen normally staunch left-wingers who continue to support Clinton. We expect Maxine Waters to earn her "most corrupt" in Congress badge by endorsing Iraq-warmongering Clinton while agitating for the Out of Iraq caucus. But Sen Barbara Boxer, Reps Lynn Woolsey, Doris Matsui, Diane Watson, Hilda Solis, Loretta Sanchez, Brad Sherman, and Laura Richardson? What is their excuse?

Florida is once again an electoral mess, and in no small part, this is due to the lack of leadership by its Congressional delegation, who had more than ample opportunity to make sure that its state abide by the DNC primary rules (as did Clinton, who has now changed her mind in a characteristically twisted last ditch effort). As it happens, a majority of Florida's Democratic members of Congress support Clinton, including all three African-American Representatives, Kendrick Meek, Corrine Brown and Alcee Hastings (they are not a particularly appealing group to begin with, and are not doing themselves any favors with this particular position), as well as Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a rising star who will only rise so far after severely alienating more than half the Democratic party.

Others' steadfast support for Clinton is even more baffling: Sen.s Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington; Reps Diane DeGette of Colorado, Norm Dicks of Washington, Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Donald Payne of New Jersey, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas; Govs John Baldacci of Maine, Martin O'Malley of Maryland, Jon Corzine of New Jersey, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon. These are all elected progressives who would normally be horrified at the prospect of an openly race-baiting campaign. But here they are, happily going along as the Clintons destroy everything they supposedly believe in.

Particular scorn is reserved for Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a perfect surrogate for Clinton in Ohio, who declared that she had "no problem" with Obama wearing "the native clothing [...] of his country." It is hard to tell if this came from a place of utter ignorance (Tubbs Jones is hardly the brightest bulb in Congress) or of cynicism, always the most likely explanation when dealing with the Clintons and their posse.

There are many others who bizarrely remain on the fence in the face of a coarsening campaign: what are they waiting for? For the Clintons to completely rend the Democratic Party for their own political and financial gain? The list of undecided superdelegates is far too long under the circumstances, and shockingly includes such liberal stalwarts as Reps Pete Stark, Mike Honda, Sam Farr, Lois Capps, Howard Berman, Henry Waxman, Bob Filner, Susan Davis of California, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Niki Tsongas, John Tierney, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Mel Watt of North Carolina, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, Jim McDermott of Washington, Sens Tom Harkin of Iowa, Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Carl Levin of Michigan, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin.

Then there are those who are seeking a promotion to the Senate: Reps Mark Udall of Colorado, Tom Allen of Maine and Tom Udall of New Mexico. Bet-hedging is over for them, and if they are interested in our votes and contributions, they know what to do.

And where are Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Bill Richardson, Jim Clyburn, Joe Biden? For that matter, where is John Edwards, not a superdelegate, but certainly a great influencer? It is no longer good enough for these leaders to send coded messages about their support for Obama: we need a full-throated endorsement and an equally loud denunciation of the vileness that is occurring.

None of these elected officials can go for long without being irremediably tainted by the growing stain that is the Clinton campaign. None of them is sheltered from our electoral judgment, whether it be this November or later. And it is time they knew it.

Highlighted names are linked to the relevant contact information. The full list of current superdelegate endorsements is here.

Follow Paul Jenkins on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulcJenkins

Comments

[shotgunjohnny]

To those who think this will be resolved before August 25th:

In case you haven't noticed the Clinton campaign will do whatever is necessary to win this election. They have shown that they will never stop and do absolutely anything for victory. If you don't think so, than you haven't been watching the election that I have been watching. It is clear that if the voice of the people is to be heard this election cycle than we must sacrifice to ensure that each and every one of our votes are counted.

I encourage all people who believe that this campaign must NOT be resolved by superdelegates (the last time we had an election resolved by superdelegates was 2000, there were nine of 'em and we know how the hell that turned out), to begin organizing for massive non-violent direct action to converge at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO on August 25th-28th.

The only way for us to preserve this democracy is fight for it and that depends on you and me. If that means tracking down superdelegates in Denver and handcuffing ourselves in order to them to stop them from disenfranchising millions of voters than so be it. If that means some other form of non-violent direct action, then so be it. These are just thoughts. I encourage all to comment in forums such as these to brainstorm and advance ideas for possible actions, to organize and prepare to do what is necessary in Denver.

The time for talk has ended, it is time to take it to the next level. If Clinton wants to destroy the party, then we must stand to stop her from doing so. Of course, Clinton supporters are welcome if they believe in the principles of democracy for which the Democratic party bears its name.

[MrLegan]

After a lifetime supporting Democrats, I have decided not to vote for Sen. Clinton under any circumstances.

Should she manage to subvert the will of pledged delegates and take the nomination, I am prepared to support Sen. Obama in an independent run for the White House. I believe his chances of winning a three-way race are very good.

[tcpgh]

After reading your blob, I just sent messages to my Senator and Congressman, as well as Governor Richardson and Sen. Edwards, asking them to publicly endorse Sen. Obama ASAP, as a demonstration of their rejection of Hillary's divisive, hateful campaign tactics. I urge everyone reading this to do the same. Hopefully, if they receive enough messages, they will act. When I'm finished typing this, I'm going to write Pelosi, Gore, Dean, and anyone else I can think of.

[syryn22]

Thank you very much for this list. I am sorely disappointed in these Democratic leaders. It is time for them to stand up and show some real leadship for a change. I am particularly disappointed in the California Dems that are supporting Clinton. I am a CA native and I will be sure to share contact Maxine Waters and give her a good piece of my mind. Ever since I coud vote (which is almost ten years ago exactly) I have voted for these same representatives, hoping that they would represent the causes and beliefs that I believed in. I have overlooked many things that the above referenced Dem leaders choices in issues that directly effect the people. I can no longer overlook this. I refuse to overlook this. The weight of the people must demand that the DNC and the democratic party as a whole step up and do the right thing. The superdelegates could easily make this go away. They could "do the right thing". Each day that they delay, is another day of further disenfranchisement of the democratic party - and I am not even talking about Floridians. I am talking about the rest of the dems in all parts of the country. Is the DNC and these so called super delegates ready to lose this big? To lose voters and the nomination? I am tired of it alll coming down to who gets to bend the rules the further that ends up the winner. I say, no more. NO MORE!

Even if Clinton wins the nomination, which appears mathematically and theoretically impossible, she will not win the general election..­.especiall­y without the votes of Obama voters (dems & independents).

One last thing...why are we revisiting this whole business of revoting in FL anyway? Rules are rules...let's move on already! We cannot allow one or two states to break the rules...either you change the rules before the contest begins or you stick out the game with the rules you started with, finish the game, then start over with new rules if you wish. We shouldn't be changing the rules mid-game for the sake of one player to still be allowed to play. Come on! Anyone who cannot understand this seriously has some maturity issues.

[Shantee]

This is very valuable information. Thank you.

Every Obama supporter should call as many super delegates as possible, and who ever you get at the other end of the line, tell them that you will not stand for the nomination being stolen by the Clinton machine. Let them know how you feel about the smear tactics and the systematic manipulation of the Clinton campaign.

We have to fight back.

[ruthinking]

As a life-long Democrat, I emailed Howard Dean, DNC today, that I will leave the Party if "the Clintons" steal the elections. We must each speak out!!

[terraprieto]

I've emailed the Democratic party twice, and my congresswoman 3 times, asking that they take action before the Democratic Party is destroyed. My most recent email to my representative:


Attached is a note I sent to Howard Dean at the Democratic Party.

IF you want the Democrats to have any chance of winning this fall, it is urgent that you ask Hillary Clinton to step aside NOW. Her below-the-belt campaign tactics and selfish continuation after all mathematical hope of victory has ended WILL destroy the Democratic Party.

I truly don't understand why the leaders of the party are standing by and watching this disaster unfold. I don't understand why you have not rescinded your endorsement of HRC after her repeated endorsement of McCain. Are you afraid of the Clintons?

Here's the note I sent to Dean:

How long is Howard Dean going to stand by and watch the Democratic Party crumbling before our eyes?

This IS your problem, Howard Dean. If you can't stand up to the Clintons, then get out of the way and let someone take over who can.

The WashPost article on the internal disarray in the Clinton campaign ends by quoting an unnamed Clinton adviser: "There was an arrogant attitude on the part of the campaign for many months. And now we're in the fight for our lives."

The incompetence and arrogance of one person, Hillary Clinton, threatens to tear the Democratic Party asunder and lead to certain defeat in the fall.

Because she couldn't even be bothered to fire up Bill's enormous database of democrats and supporters and TRY to organize and contest the caucuses, she now whines that such contests are unfair and unimportant, and she is ENTITLED to win the nomination anyway.

And Howard Dean stands by and watches as this selfish child's temper tantrum utterly destroys the Democratic Party.

No amount of money will be able to repair what is being destroyed. Tell Clinton to step aside NOW while there is still a party to try to unify!

[itmaybetoolate]

Why, in god's name, should Edwards endorse anyone? The only true progressive in the race, he was treated badly by the party, although his ideas have been co-opted by HRC and Obama. And, perhaps he believes that his supporters can make up their own minds. As for me, I will hold my nose and vote for the nominee because, frankly, mcbush will be much worse.

[NC4Obama]

Every freakin day iam just getting more pissed off at Hillary and at the DNC for not doing anything about it.

[vbond]

The Clintons are in a tactical and strategic box because of Geraldine Ferraro's comment that Obama was "lucky to be black."

Their tepid response to this patently race-loaded statement and their defense of Ferraro - through their campaign manager, Maggie Smith - signals that they consider this a worthy line to prosecute on the way to Pennsylvania.

I used to live in Philadelphia, and I can attest to the fact that, regarding racial attitudes, Pennsylvania - as former Bill Clinton campaign manager James Carville has said - is "Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Alabama in between."

There is no other way to say it: The Clintons have decided to escalate their use of racialism to electoral advantage... again.

They are desperate to win Pennsylvania, and to do so by as large a margin as possible, because they believe that this result would buttress their "Big State" rationale. They contend that their wins in California, New York, Ohio, and then Pennsylvania [no, Alice, they didn't win Texas, either in delegates or votes] somehow certify their ability to win key states where Obama cannot.

This contention is specious on its face, as logic and history demonstrate, but it is (with the popular vote prize dimming by the day) the best case that they will likely be able to make to their true and critical audience: the superdelegates.

The problem is that their racialist tactics (in addition to their other scurrilous behavior, like exalting McCain over Obama) are alienating many more superdelegates than Obama needs to clinch the nomination after June 3 (Montana and South Dakota). He may already have enough, who are waiting to declare. But these appalling Clinton moves will only add to his superdelegate support, regardless of whether she wins in Pennsylvania and by what margin.

But they can't now back off the Ferraro defense, without risking the bond that they are working to forge with Pennsylvania racists and with the older white women who have been the bulwark of the Clinton electoral coalition. They can't risk this because they simply cannot risk Pennsylvania, after which they have hopes (but only proportional hopes) in Indiana, maybe Kentucky, West Virginia, and Michigan and Florida, if they come back into play. But Guam, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota constitute a forbidding landscape for the Clintons to traverse on their way to the Summer.

The only optimal way for the Clintons to resolve this is to have Ferraro "voluntarily" leave the campaign. But will they "reject and denounce" her? No they will not... they can't.

The "livin'" may be easy in the Summer... but the "winnin'" won't be... not for the Clintons... not this time... and never again.

Which is why they're fighting this way... because they know that this is it... even for their absurd "Dream Team" distraction, now that Nancy Pelosi has declared it "impossible."

They're in boxes now, between their Pennsylvania coalition and risk-averse superdelegates contemplating August and November trainwrecks.

A big box for Bill... a smaller one for Hillary... and a really big, room-sized box for their political legacy.

[fortuna]

I have e-mailed the DNC 3 times to ask them to put this woman out of our misery. I suggest that others do the same before the democratic party is toast.

[jp5472]

Everything from camp Clinton has become clearly ugly, triangulated, twisted, and spun. It is clearly time for the party leaders to put an end to this by speaking out - your short list alone, these heavyweights, "And where are Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Bill Richardson, Jim Clyburn, Joe Biden? For that matter, where is John Edwards..." need to finally take a stand against what is now happening. It is so clear that HRC's campaign will stop at nothing at this point to win anything it can, no matter if it ruins the party in the process. This is downright sickening.

[lynnn]

Amen!!

[vincealy]

6 more weeks of this below the belt politics from the candidate behind HRC and we can expect a republican president and perhaps house. Time for Gore, Edwards and the others to step in