What's a Superdelegate?

According dictionary.com a superdelegate is “a party leader or elected public official chosen as an uncommitted delegate to a national political convention.” Only the Democrats have superdelegates, and they are chosen by the Democratic Party based on their status within the party. Superdelegates attend the Democratic National Convention and cast their own vote for a Presidential candidate, and do not necessarily have to follow the popular vote. Some of Michigan’s Superdelegates include Governor Granholm, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Rep. John Dingell.

In an election this close, the superdelegate's role becomes more deciding than it does symbolic. The margin of defeat in the delegates (gained by primary elections) between Obama and Clinton right now is less that the amount of superdelegates (719) that will be at the Convention in late August.

A CNN report concluded that “While divided over which candidate to support, Democrats are largely agreed that the battle over delegates needs to be resolved without a sense that superdelegates -- which include Democratic lawmakers, governors, and other VIPs -- are making a decision that opposes what voters want.”

If the superdelegates actually ended up making the difference, or reversing the decision on the popular vote in the primaries, would that not be considered undemocratic? There is also a concern among party members that delegates may work out deals with each other, trying to swing the vote to one candidate. On the other hand, some believe superdelegates will follow the interest of their constituents.

So what do you think? Should superdelegates hold this much power? Or should the popular vote in the Primary hold up at the National Convention?

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/17/2008.dems/index.html

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

What do you think?

Ok guys, here's a post where everyone can hear your voice. It's not hard, I promise!


So here it is; who vs. who will give the Republicans/Democrats the best chance of getting into office? Try to put aside who you personally like and try to think who would be best for the party you argue in favor of.
Here's what I think:


In my opinion I feel that the Republicans best chance would be Huckabee Vs Clinton.


Personally my Republican favorites are Giuliani and Thompson, but I don't think that either could pull a win in the presidential election. Giuliani, in my opinion, is probably the best overall Republican leader (not most experienced, just a good leader); however, I feel that his pro-choice views and his three marriages would lead some of the extreme Christian conservatives to stay home on Election Day. And Thompson, well I think his level headed ways would be just what the country needs right now; however he just doesn't have a strong enough following to even make him an option in the election. Huckabee, on the other hand, has a strong following with the Christian conservatives and would easily get their votes. I also feel that Huckabee has a very likable personality and easily relates many constituents, which may lead some independents who base votes on personality to vote Republican.


The reason I picked Clinton as the best option for the republican's opponent is based on my belief that many Obama supporters would just simply refuse to vote for
her. I completely understand that is 2007 and that things have changed, but I really feel that there are thousands of men and women out there who feel that a woman could not handle the Presidency. I also think Hilary lacks the personality that Obama has and would lose votes that way.



So there it is. You don't have to write out a paragraph or anything, just say what you think!

Candidate Quizzes

Not technically in the Know Your Candidate series, but the label seemed appropriate since some of the quizzes match you with a candidate.

Below are links to political quizzes that match you up with an ideology or a candidate. They are not perfect, and several questions are in some cases vague or too black and white, but they will hopefully give you a general idea about where you lie on the political spectrum and which candidates you are closest too.

http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html
http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460
http://www.speakout.com/VoteMatch/senate2006.asp?quiz=2008
http://www.gotoquiz.com/candidates/2008-quiz.html
http://glassbooth.org/
http://www.politicalcompass.org/test (Note, when you get a result you'll see a general picture towards the center, scroll down)
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
http://madrabbit.net/webrabbit/quizshow.html

Enjoy.