TopicsBoard archive Politics / Society / Religion: February 2008: Electoral College and Superdelegates

OK, I wrote this thread for a couple reasons.

1. I would like to know people's opinions on the system currently in place.
2. If the popular concensus is that the system is broken and doesn't promote democracy, how we may go about changing it.

I personally think the current system is criminal. The government essentially strips us of our votes. Currently, we are watching a democratic race that may end up being decided by superdelegates. As for the Electoral College, we all know what happened in 2000. ¹ If I am looking at this in some aspect that is naive please let me know. I am open to all opinions on the subject. If you do agree, maybe we can collectively come up with some sort of solution. I know it's been put through congress a few times to change the electoral system, but it never goes anywhere. I am assuming that the government doesn't want to change the system, but personally I think it should be OUR decision to make. Something about 'We the people,' I dunno maybe I'm reaching.

For the uninformed:

Superdelegate
Delegate, see US politics
United States Electoral College

But until enough people demand the politicians that represent them do something to change it, it isn't going to change. Originally the Electoral College was put into place to give states with smaller populations better representation in government, but in reality it gives smaller populations more than its fair share in deciding the presidency.

> but in reality it gives
> smaller populations more than its fair share in deciding
> the presidency.

How exactly? From what I remember the state's number of votes is decided by it's population, giving more votes to larger populations decided by the census. States like California, Ohio, Texas, et cetera, don't exactly have "smaller populations".

not what we have today. Possibly I should have explained that better.

I think I read somewhere that more states and New Hampshire (?) being one of the first want to see an end to this whole electoral college and delegates system. So that might actually lead to change.

I've always been opposed to that system. The less influencial people to bribe the better.

OK, this delegate count thing is starting to get annoying and I was hoping someone could clue me into what the problem is.

CNN - Hillary Clinton: Pledged=924 Superdelegates=224 Total=1128
Barrack Obama: Pledged=986 Superdelegates=135 Total=1121
Yahoo - Clinton = 889 to Obama = 942
ABC - Clinton = 1149 to Obama = 1127
BBC News - Clinton = 1147 to Obama = 1124
Barrack's Page - Clinton = 944 to Obama = 1031
Hillary's Page - Didn't show it
MSN - Clinton = 904 to Obama = 958

OK WTF is going on? Is it me or is this system about as stable as a uranium butt plug? 6 different sources, not one match. Not even on confirmed pledges. Someone needs some abacus training.

And what's with estimating superdelegates? Aren't they superdelegates, because they don't know yet?

Maybe it is my fault for relying on the news to get my news.

you can add the six that showed together and divide by the number of sites you got the numbers from. Still too close to call.

I think things will be a little more clear after March 4th.

But I don't think we'll have a definite candidate even by then.

The last I heard this thing is probably going to get dragged out until the convention. I Would hope that if Hillary doesn't have a good showing in Ohio and Texas that she will opp out though. If this thing gets dragged out to the convention and we see the popular vote and delegate count reversed by the superdelegates all the new voters/democrats are going to become jaded. ¹

I have nothing against either one winning, but having it narrowed down to a single candidate before the convention would be better for all. Save me having to correct less lies that way.

Those 800 super-delegates are going to opt for Hillary. Bill Clinton is working the phones..and they practically own the Democrats anyways. How much power has Ted Kennedy?

Ted isn't running this year for president. Focus Ace.

How many super-delegates does Teddy control?

much less super delegates. It was nice to see the Republicans walked out today. I hope they locked the door, and that those they represent love to see how they represented them so well today by their absence.

the superdelegates can do is vote for the leader. They swing the election and there are going to be a lot of pissed off people out there. If Hillary is in the lead, so be it, they should vote her in. If it's Obama same thing.

After those wishing to have their votes counted in caucuses have voted, why should a handful of people overrule what the majority wanted.

..it's about money and power.