As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not usually terribly political on my blog or in my life. But the current race, and in particular the Obama campaign, has inspired me to follow politics more closely. I even made a donation to the Obama campaign, something I have never before done in the 13 years I’ve been a voting American.
So you’ll forgive me if I’m just learning some of the nuances of party nomination politics.
I’ve just learned about superdelegates.
I’ve heard the word tossed around here and there over the past few weeks. Superdelegates. I just looked it up. I actually, physically felt disappointment. This wonderful democratic system doesn’t seem quite so democratic anymore. Sure, maybe I don’t totally understand the system. In fact, I’m sure I don’t totally understand the system. But I have to wonder how democratic it is that 796 individuals get a larger voice in the Democratic nomination than I do. That’s 796 superdelegates out of 4,049 delegates total. Nearly a fifth. That’s enough to swing a vote. I don’t care if they’re party leaders or if they’re sleeping with a Kennedy, nobody should have any more say than anyone else.
I’m deeply disappointed. Am I missing something? What is the advantage? Is it because we, the uneducated Philistines, may make the wrong decision and need these 796 enlightened individuals to help us?
Someone explain this to me.
Seriously. I want to know why this makes sense.
This is common in Canada as well. We have a leadership convention where the leader of a party is picked. For the Liberal party (left), each Canadian riding (place: an area that is governed by an elected official) has an association (club) belonging to each particular party, and they elect a delegate (super?) to go to a convention, rub shoulders with the candidates and cast their vote.