Hillary's House Backers Sticking By Her, But Cracks Are Showing
Hillary Clinton's Congressional supporters are largely rejecting calls to change their super-delegate votes to match the popular vote, The Hill reports, but it's not completely a united front in favor of the system itself.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), whose district went for Barack Obama, said he is so committed to Hillary that he'll keep on backing her at the convention unless he dies first. Similar sentiments were expressed by Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), and Shelley Berkley (D-NV), though not in quite such colorful terms.
On the other hand there is Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA), who is still for Hillary, but also hinted that he might support changes to the system or an end to it entirely. Boswell also hedged on whether he'd support Hillary at the convention itself. "At some point I may have to discuss that with Sen. Clinton," he said. "Historically we have not gone to this type of convention, and I hope we don't."
I think that's admirable of her supporters, and I wouldn't expect them to do anything else. I would be disappointed if they did switch at this point - they should back her until she leaves the race - that's the honorable thing to do, especially if they've pledged to do so.
I sincerely hope that the super delegates are not an issue - I hope she looks within her heart and drops out graciously and puts her weight behind helping Obama win in November. If the Clinton campaign tries to do an end-run around the system by trying to seat Michigan and Florida and meddle with the super delegates, there will be hell to pay. Actually, we haven't heard about that in a couple of weeks, so perhaps they're backing off on those threats. We'll see.
February 27, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Amen to that!
clinton has to leave Michigan alone. And I think that's been part of the strategy all along. Make a fuss for Michigan and Florida, and then agree to only Florida.
If she weriously tries to get Michigan delegates, it will be a travesty. And will rip the party apart. I can't believe she'd sacrifice the party for the sake of her campaign. I just cannot believe that.
February 27, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um, I wouldn't say unless you die first, she's already lost one superdelegate that way, you don't really want to tempt fate here..
February 27, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Hillary Clinton's Congressional supporters are largely rejecting calls to change their super-delegate votes to match the popular vote, "
But are they denouncing them?
February 27, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
ROFL!
February 27, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not going to the convention unless Obama's campaign completely collapses. Two of her staunchest supporters - both from NY - Schumer and Rangel have both indicated they know this has to be wrapped up before the convention regardless of who the nominee is. If they won't rip the party apart for Hillary then her less-staunch superdelegates - the ones who WON'T die before switching - will begin bailing soon after March 4. Unless Hillary stuns everyone and turns things around in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.
So Obama supporters - don't get lazy, don't get comfortable, don't think this can't be lost. If you know anyone in Ohio or Texas (or Rhode Island or Vermont) e-mail them today to remind them why you believe Obama is what our country needs right now.
This has to be wrapped up so Obama can focus on McCain and begin laying down a general election campaign that is equal to or even better than the excellent ground campaign he has run for the primaries.
February 27, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you check this with Hillary campaign team chief Matt Drudge first?
Did Hillary deny everything Drudge said today?
By the way, if a Super gets assigned to a district they are obligated to vote that way, not the way they assume their constituency would vote.
But let's allow the GOP to win one off electoral numbers because we have super delegates forget to reflect that fact. It's a republic for a reason.
February 27, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Hillary's House Backers Sticking By Her, But Cracks Are Showing"
Aw geez! You hate to hear that. We have come to expect it from Plumbers, but I never expected Super Delegates to be going around with their Cracks Showing!
February 27, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink