|
Democrats Appoint
Super-Duper Delegates!
By Herm Welty
Political correspondent
February 11, 2208--In hopes of clearing up
growing unease surrounding the selection of this year's Democratic presidential nominee, party
leaders announced Monday the appointment of three "Super-Duper Delegates."
“The race is tight and it’s expected to get
tighter,” said party spokesperson Dindy Myers. “This accounts for a worst
case, deadlock scenario when we get to Denver.”
Myers identified DNC Chairman Howard Dean, longtime
Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy and former President Jimmy Carter as the
party’s Super-Duper Delegates.
The leaders would square off in a three-way,
steel-cage wrestling match on the convention's penultimate evening, Aug.
27. The last man standing would select the party’s nominee the next day.
The plan comes in the wake of weekend primary
results that have made the race for the nomination razor thin.
Barack Obama currently leads rival Hillary Clinton
in delegates but may fail to achieve the 2,025 needed to win outright. In
that case, Clinton could narrowly win the nomination due to an edge in
super delegates.
Super delegates
were established in 1980 to give fulltime party officials and professional
politicians a bigger say in the nomination process.
The 796 super
delegates include all Democratic governors and members of Congress plus
other prominent party members. Between 15 and 20 percent of delegates at
Democratic conventions are super delegates.
“The Super-Duper Delegate option just takes that
rationale one step further,” said Myers. “It’s another way to consolidate
power.”
Details are still being ironed out, she noted.
Advanced age, Kennedy’s cardiovascular conditioning and Carter’s overall
frailty are concerns.
“There is the possibility the Super-Dupers could
name surrogates to fight in their place,” said Myers.
Fiery New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has already agreed
to fight for Kennedy, according to one close family associate. Carter is
thought to be considering longtime friend Hugo Chavez.
“I’ll fight for myself,” said Dean, who attended
Monday’s press conference wearing black wrestling tights under a green
silk robe. “You’ve seen my passion. You’ve seen me throw wild uppercuts.
I’m not afraid.”
Obama’s campaign released a statement in support of
the plan Monday afternoon. Kennedy recently endorsed the Illinois democrat
and Carter’s endorsement is expected to come soon.
Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams said the
plan needs work.
“Hillary would like to see Bill involved in the
formula in some way,” she said. “He’s one of just three surviving former
presidents and of course every woman likes to see their man fight." |