Undecided KY Superdelegate: Race Is A Good Thing, Of Course

The last time I talked with Nathan Smith, a Kentucky superdelegate, he was not about to commit his support to either candidate.

With Kentucky's primary coming up on Tuesday, I asked him again whom he supports.

"I'm still uncommitted," he said. "I'm interested to see what the voters in Kentucky would like for me to do. That will weigh on my decision."

As vice chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, Smith says he has talked with both campaigns.

"I met with Senator Clinton, President Clinton, and I met with Chelsea Clinton," Smith said. "I met with Barack Obama. I've had calls from other people in his camp.

"They've all been persuading me both ways."

His wife Mary Lee supports Hillary since she would like to see a woman in the White House. But that hasn't persuaded him yet, at least not publicly.

Smith said he's delighted his home state is on the national stage for this election. Kentucky offers 51 delegates, with 9 superdelegates. Three have committed their support for Clinton, two for Barack Obama, with the remaining four uncommitted.

Kentucky was the 15th state to join the Union in 1792 and originally was part of Virginia. With a traditionally late primary, Smith said usually nobody takes notice of the results.

"It's a great opportunity for Kentucky and the people here to have a say in this election," Smith said.

CNN Politics reports that no Democrat has moved into the White House without the support of Kentucky voters in 48 years. Recent polls show Clinton ahead so far with a wide margin.

While some have criticized the long campaign season, seemingly endless number of debates, and the battle for the Democratic nomination, Smith sees it in a positive way.

"This primary has been the greatest thing for the Democratic Party," he said. "It has gotten people involved.

"People say, well you know, do you think this is weighing hard on the party and this and that," he continued. "I will tell you today this is one of the best things that has happened to the Democratic Party because the number of new registers has been unbelievable. The excitement has been tremendous."

Smith said he believes people understand this year more than ever that every vote counts. And he knows, because he's been hearing from them.

"Believe me, they've all got opinions," he said. "I've been more surprised by the number of regular Democratic voters who have contacted me that either know me or don't know me.

"Everyone has their opinion."

Smith is looking forward to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, August 25 through 28. He was asked if he would be willing to come early to cast his ballot, and he said "if that's the will of the party, I would be open to that."

"I would say it's not over yet," Smith said. "Everybody deserves a chance to vote. I think the best situation right now is that every state goes and votes.

"We need to vote this out and everybody get their say in."

Comments

[gbht12]

So what you are saying is that he has no cojones!

It is apparent to everyone except the Clinton's who the nomination will go to. Let her go on, we have watched her take the party through all her negativity and bitter comments, we might as well let her go on. She won't stop anyways unless the SD have the cojones to put their vote in Obama's side.

This would not be happening if Obama was losing, he would have done the right thing a long time ago. She has ruined her name and her husband's name forever. I know so much more about the REAL Clinton's than before. It just goes to show you, that when people make up their minds about a particular candidate it is hard to change their minds. She acts more like a Republican than a democrat. She is even taking the advise of KARL ROVE. Now that is so special, I can't even tell you.

[2351]

I'm from Kentucky. Nathan Smith is playing it safe because he saw what happened to Ben Chandler when he endorsed Obama. Lord, Ben Chandler received at least 300 calls on his voicemail and some of the messages were really ugly and racist. I would say that all of the Supers in Kentucky that have not committed are afraid, because Kentucky is a very political. Hillary has some kind of hold on people in Kentucky, but I'm not sure why there has been so much campaigning by Hillary in Kentucky since she is supposed to win. Yesterday, Hillary spoke at a rally in Frankfort, Kentucky at a historical black college. There were not a lot of people there and it appears to have been a last minute decision. Most of the people that attended were white.

[CarmenCameron]

As a resident of Louisville, KY, I can tell you that what Mr. Smith is really saying is that while Hillary Clinton is way ahead here in the polls, none of the Clintons campaigning here (and all 3 players on the Clinton team have) are drawing either big or enthusiastic crowds while Sen. Obama just drew a crowd of approximately 8,000 here in Louisville, has benefited hugely from his media buys for southern Indiana (a shared media market with Kentucky's densest population centers) and has been endorsed by the largest and most influential newspaper in the state.

I believe that (unlike the two courageous supers who declared for Obama recently) getting such mixed messages from the polls vs. the people is what's keeping at least this super on the fence. His "wait and see" policy is really nothing more than justifying waiting till next Tuesday to see which of those the available "tea leaf readings" turns out to be right.

[Tulka2]

Ms. Kaczmarski, please ask the Kentucky superdelegate, "What are the promised benifits to the state of Kentucky if Clinton gets your vote?" And.... "What have you personally been promised if your vote goes to Clinton?" Ask the same questions re the Obama campaign.

[jupitor]

I would simply tell the people to look at how obama has throwen of both Mccains, liebermans and Bush's attacks in this past two weeks! He's a man that can win. he's strong, and honest and that carry's him proud. I would say to you women who want to see a woman in the white house, think about this! Clinton has already angered Iran, by saying she will wipe them out. she has lied to you about not supporting NAFTA when she did, she lied to you about the bosnia sniper fire, and both her and her husband has a pending court case against them for campagne fraud money with the Peter Paul case. Do you reallly want a president who may or her husband may end up behind bars or found quielty of breaking America Laws sitting in the white house as a example to your children how to behave and obey the laws of this land? Women it's not enough to vote for Hillary to prove you can make History! Like my mom of 80, said, this is about the whole country and it bigger than seeing a women President, and it's about how we teach our children to fight fair,and win fair, and be honest on how you win and live your life! And how many of you can say she ran a clean, fair, none lieing race here? you can't ,because she didn't!