Comments on: Voters, Pledged Delegates and Super Delegates

By: Jose Luis

Jose Luis — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:48:21 +0000

Hi. I’ve been following the results of different States (only 2 to go). I particulary think that the way Americans (democrats) choose their candidate is NOT REALLY A DEMOCRATIC WAY. Democracy means “power to the people”. In this case, people may choose a candidate, let’s say 52 % of votes, and still, the other candidate who got less perentage, can win (that reminds me of Al Gore vs. George Bush). That is everything, but democracy. That’s bullshit!!! Sorry, but it’s true, either you want to admit it or not. Now I understand why most Americans don’t vote at all. What’s the point on wasting their time if, at the end, they may not have the final decision? Well, that’s up to “super delegates”. Ha ha ha, and you call that democracy?

By: nytexan

nytexan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:10:23 +0000

James Douglas:
Glad to hear that you will be voting this time around. And, you are correct things are too critical to not vote this year.

I believe, we find ourselves in the current situation because we have all lived our own bubble for a few decades. In doing this we have allowed power hungry politicians and corporations with personal agendas hijack the country.

We need to seriously turn this country around and change the world opinion of America.

By: James Douglas

James Douglas — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:56:39 +0000

I’m sixty years old and have never voted in an election. This year’s primary in my state will mark the first change to that policy in this lifetime. Things have become too critical to not at least make a hopeless effort. The point here is that I’m hardly educated on the electoral process, now am I? But in taking my first look, it appears horrifyingly (if not surprisingly) obvious that the people do not make the ultimate determinations about who represents them in government. That’s why I’ve put more than a few years into wondering “what’s the point?” I’m going to give it a shot. Maybe the first and last. In any case, God help us all and God bless America.

By: nytexan

nytexan — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:42:03 +0000

Dr. Roland Esquivel:
Your talking apples and oranges;
“pledged delegate” and electoral college are two entirely different processes.

your statement:
There is no such thing as a “pledged delegate” !

This is completely incorrect. Pledged delegates are primary voters and caucus goers who “pledge” their vote or voice to a particular democratic presidential candidate for the party nomination.

With that said, it’s obvious that the voters and caucus goers who “pledged” their support for their candidate at the primary and who did not get the nomination would change their vote at the general election.

The electoral college, doesn’t take place during the primary process or the general election. That actually happens on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December.

Furthermore, some States, require electors to cast their votes according to the popular vote. These pledges fall into two categories — electors bound by State law and those bound by pledges to political parties.

By: Dr. Roland Esquivel

Dr. Roland Esquivel — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:08:46 +0000

The electoral college was the founding fathers’ way of securing a “proper” president and not what the hoi palloi voted!!

By: Dr. Roland Esquivel

Dr. Roland Esquivel — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:01:04 +0000

There is no such thing as a “pledged delegate” !
Delegates vote as they damn well please !
The same thing is true of the electoral college .

By: proudprogressive

proudprogressive — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:51:52 +0000

Matt i will take a stab at this, as its completely confusting to me as well and when NYT has a chance we get straightened out…if i am wrong. If you or me are chosen to be a delegate (we pay our own way to the convention) each state has a different way of choosing them (all the better for the UNdemocratic fogged process) its not a winner take all in the primaries and caucuses..thats where we are now…they the delegates get divided. Most delegates on the state level know who they want…IF they see, that the people WANT a certain candidate ie. Obama at the National Convention …..I BELIEVE and could be Wrong that is where they can change their mind…us little non super delegates..

.NOW the super delegates can also change their minds. OH yes..they are like the special chess peices that can do all sorts of tricky things..vs. your average two move pawn…that is why group like the Democratics for America are setting out petitions NOW, to ensure that super delegates doing favors for the machine DO NOT tip the election of the nominee and make sure to follow the numbers in the popular primary votes of their states at the very least. At the National Convention in August ..thats where deals are made..for example ..Edwards has delegates to give away..and we are not done yet with the super delegates..anyone who has held office can be one…hence John Glenn just dusted himself off for the clinton machine.

If i am wrong ..and if i missed something NYT will fill us in – technically though i do believe balloting is SECRET so a super delegate could theoretically CHANGE THEIR MIND in the booth right up in the last minutes.. In short the national convention is gonna be a MESS ! till the very last minutes..shades of 68 ..yep

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:39:12 +0000

Thanks once more, NYT! So, suppose I’m one of the delegates from State A. I show up to the convention. Am I, MYSELF, actually pledged to Obama or Clinton, at that point? I’m guessing no – that it’s still just a “numbers thing.” But, if so, how was it decided to whom I am pledged?

By: nytexan

nytexan — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:33:05 +0000

Matt:
You are very welcome. I hope this thread help everyone understand how this process for the democrats works.

As I explained above, Individual delegate are chosen from the precinct level up to the state. Votes and population decide a states delegate count before a primary is held. Votes turn into pledged delegates on primary night.

As for individual voters; when we cast a vote we are adding to the percentage in the delegate column. Pledge delegates are votes that are can not be changed because they are tied to the vote you cast on election day.
Individual votes = pledged delegates

Super delegates are not held or bound to a candidate. For instance let’s say a Senator endorsed Hillary in January and then at the national convention in August that same Senator can change his super delegate vote to Obama.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:46:47 +0000

NYT:

Thanks, so much, for all of this great info! I’m still confused, though, about the same thing. Suppose State A goes 60% Obama and 40% Clinton, and that state has 20 delegates. In principle, then, 12 are pledged to Obama, and 8 to Clinton. Now, if I’m an individual delegate, is it true that, right now, I, myself, am not pledged to anything or anyone? Then, what do the 12 and 8 mean, vis-a-vis what happens at the convention? Do the delegates say “12 beats 8, so we all go for Obama?” (I know that it’s less simple than that, because it would then just be “winner take all.”)

I also remember years ago, hearing that, although a delegate is not bound by how they are pledged, it’s frowned upon to change midstream unless there is a compelling reason. Of course, this makes no sense to me if indivuals are not pledged in the first place.

Onging thanks, Matt