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

"I'll tell you today this is the best thing for the Democratic Party. The excitement has been tremendous. It's not over yet. We need to vote this out and have everybody get their say in."
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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."

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