But superdelegates are not. No one gets to vote for superdelegates - they are party “insiders,” some of whom may never even have run for public office.
I think the intent of superdelegates is to provide some protection against someone like Trump, someone who manages to round up delegates in primaries with a lot of contenders, primaries in which several establishment candidates manage to undo each other, leaving the wild card in control.
Ugh. What his delayed concession did was to give his acolytes the idea that he REALLY could win if only they held out longer. When he finally concede “some” of them walked away and refused to support HRC and the party. Why?
Because he coulda been a contender if only they held out a little longer…
ETA: I understand that Supers aren’t elected but that doesn’t matter if they don’t sway the eventual outcome.
This looks like a good outcome overall. Good job by everyone who worked to reach this agreement.
Here’s what I have to say about caucuses – fundamentally I think they’re antiquated and wouldn’t mind seeing them abolished.
But short of that here’s my suggestion – go ahead and have the caucus meetings where people listen to brief speeches and try to convince one another, and divide into groups to show who they’re supporting, etc. But ALSO allow anyone who can’t make it to the caucus – or just doesn’t want to – to cast a paper ballot, just like the absentee ballots and vote-by-mail ballots that millions of Americans cast in other elections.
In this way, the caucus-lovers still get to have their caucus, but at the same time, everyone has a chance to have their vote counted even if they can’t (or just don’t want to) make it to the caucus.
There, problem solved. You’re welcome, America.
Sorry, you’re wrong. His delayed concession gave them the time needed to accept reality. The longer time went on, the more clear it became Hillary was the undisputed winner. Emotions in the Bernie camp had time to cool and accept this and vote for her in the general.
Added:
Hey, 87% of Bernie’s primary supporters voted for Hillary. Only 75% of Hillary’s primary supporters voted for Obama. By that measure, he did a great job. These things are pretty normal. One gets emotional about your candidate. You’re disappointed when they don’t win. I think Bernie did what he needed to do. I never supported Bernie but I can understand reality. Hey, just look how emotional people still are about this subject.
It doesn’t need saving. We’re doing quite well, thank you very much.
No one but wingnuts and Berniecrats believed such witless nonsense.
You’re better than this.
Yes, I remember all those cooled unifying emotions they brought to the convention.
Thank you! So tiresome to see quotes from Bernie in every discussion of the Democratic party!
I wonder how far the 6-months-before-primary party registration mentioned in the article is going to be “relaxed”.
Honestly, I don’t have a lot of sympathy for “independents” who suddenly became interested in who the Democratic Party was nominating and found they were late to the party. Still, six months is a long time.
Superdelegates and party registration reform both acted as brakes on the possibility of a “populist” outsider riding in to take over the party mechanisms for their own purposes. (Ahem, Trump.) Reforms are needed, of course, but sometimes the rules are there for a reason. I strongly believe that a party should pick its own candidates.
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Superdelegates are for the most part elected officials—chosen by the people—with some barty bigwigs thrown in to the mix.
Your entire premise is fatuous claptrap, straight out of a college dorm drinking session.
I totally agree with you.
And I have to say that a lot of us who supported Hillary will not get over what happened easily so it’s kind of a waste of energy to try to make us like Bernie because we don’t and we never will.
And another thing: I would like to see a national push to move from caucuses to primaries.
He did a great job at convincing some people that “the system was rigged.” That PoC voting down South just didn’t know what they were doing. That money in politics, e-mails and corporate fundraising was the worse thing EVER. Now, the country is burning.
ETA: I think that if the Presidential election were held this year, the Dems would have a rock solid bench by which to choose from. Diverse, experienced, invigorating candidates that really represent the Party. No need for outsiders.
Can you give me an example of him insinuating this?
Added:
Don’t try to find a link from a Breitbart article like J Dave did which selectively edited what Bernie actually said. His link wasn’t from Breitbart but another right-wing magazine that ran the identical headline and story from Breitbart.
Clinton conceded, and endorsed Obama, 3 days after she was (barely) eliminated mathematically; Sanders vowed to take the contest to the convention from June 7, when he was (resoundingly) mathematically eliminated, until July 12.
Hillary’s supporters were the fucking Democratic Party. Hello. That’s why she won, with a majority any way you slice it.
First duty indeed. Personal loyalty above all else is a Trumpian mode of thinking.
So… what you’re implying is that Bernie did not have any Democratic support?
You forgot to add, “…and then went on to lose to tRump.”
Word up!
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Why not add to the discussion, the support he had from the Russians?