Maine Democrats vote to change superdelegate system

[jpak]

Source: Portland Press Herald

Maine Democrats voted Saturday morning to restrict the ability of so-called “superdelegates” to cast their votes for any candidate they choose at the Democratic National Convention, but not until the 2020 elections.

The debate over superdelegates provided a lively and, at times, rowdy opening to the second day of the Maine Democratic Party’s state convention in Portland. Although the major changes will not take affect this year, the push to change the superdelegate system was led by supporters of Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator trailing behind Hillary Clinton in the total delegate count.

The proposal by Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, would require that beginning in 2020, the Maine’s delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention be awarded proportionately to the results of the party’s presidential caucus or primary. Under current rules, the state’s five superdelegates – positions held by party leaders – are unpledged, meaning they are not bound by the caucus results.

The rule change would also urge – but not require – the superdelegates attending the 2016 national convention to honor the outcome of the March caucuses, when Sanders won 63 percent of the votes. Finally, it calls on the national party to eliminate the superdelegate system altogether.

<more>

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2016/05/07/maine-democrats-vote-to-change-superdelegate-system/

[PFunk1]

1. Yah. Finially some good news out of Maine

And I for one greatly applaud it. The SD system was once a good idea. But way the DNC is manipulating it shows that day has long since past. Now lets hope it leads to the elimination of the SD system all together.

[liberal N proud]

2. Republicans don't have Super Delegates

Now they have to deal with Trump.

Careful what you wish for!

[radiclib]

5. We are not Republicans.

[riversedge]

6. You missed the point.

[radiclib]

7. We don't nominate lunatics.

Is your point that we might?

[laserhaas]

10. The DNC is trying to annoint a tick

It bugs me how obtuse the hell bent Hillarians are

[liberal N proud]

11. They don't want to get it

They are towing a tantrum because their candidate isn't going to win.

[yallerdawg]

3. I guess that's better than having the candidate...

persuade the superdelegate to vote for him. Like the rest of us.

Especially if you are the loser in that effort of persuasion. Better to take the freedom to vote for the candidate of your choice away.

So why have superdelegates now?

[jpak]

4. kick

[billhicks76]

8. Robbins Nails Election Fraud

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/fix-our-election-system_b_9847102.html

[mwooldri]

9. One member, one vote.

That should be the principle behind any nominating election.

However... this is America...

[CBHagman]

12. I suspect some people are reacting to the headline...

...and not reading the article itself, or considering how small the numbers are here, both in terms of Maine's population and its share of delegates.

[TomCADem]

13. This Does Not Happen Now, Right? Bernie Needs Those Superdelegates

We need those nominations to get the nomination. Just because Bernie is picking up momentum late in the game, Democrats are suddenly "discovering" that superdelegates are bad. As Bernie's campaign manager noted, Bernie is going to win the nomination with superdelegates, so the idea that they are somehow not legitimate is wrong.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-dem-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/sanders-campaign-manager-222180

[trudyco]

15. People thought it was bad that they went for hillary before the primaries started

As I understand it, the supers are supposed to guarantee the best candidate to win the GE gets nominated. However, with so many supers pledging for Hillary before the voters even had a say it became apparent that the supers were subverting the purpose of having them. Instead, they were used as a virtual coronation of the establishment candidate. Also, the makeup of the supers is in question. Many of them were being helped in their campaigns by Hillary, which some feel is practically bribery and a noticeable fraction were in the lobbying business at one time or another. Then there is the coziness between the DNC chair and Hillary. The other candidates were not given a fair shake.

So, yes, it's a good idea to get rid of them.

It's even a better idea to clean up our election fraud and voter disenfranchisement.

[TomCADem]

16. Not True, Bernie Has Helped Democrats Fundraise!

The superdelegate system should work for him given that he has worked tirelessly to help get Democrats get elected. Otherwise, he would not have the allies he will need to lead his revolution. A revolution takes more than one man. This is why I think the superdelegate system should work for him. Hillary is only in it for herself while Bernie has laid the ground work by helping many Democrats get elected.

[silvershadow]

14. K&R.

[Justice]

17. The most ironic twisted part of this effort (posted 3 or 4 x on DU) is: Maine Dems cannot even get

a DEM governor elected (which would definitely improve life for Mainers) but find it vitally necessary to change the super delegates to the national.

House is on fire but let's "save the barn."