The latest in the Clinton "shell game" relates to the idea that the uncommitted super delegates should vote for the candidate who wins the cumulative popular vote in the primaries. The primaries will be concluded in June. That would mean that the cumulative popular vote total would be measured over a period of 5+ months. The reason for the long primary period is to test candidates capabilities over a reasonable period of time state by state. The only meaningful popular vote would be on the same day in a national primary.
The November Presidential election is not even determined by the popular vote. However, since it all happens on one day, the winner of the popular vote has some credibility about winning that meaningless contest. Al Gore and 3 other Presidents had that conflicting honor to no avail. The winner-take-all electoral college creates this mathematical anomaly. The idea that a rolling cumulative 5 month popular vote is useful belies the fact that all democratic elections are held on a single day.
If as Hillary suggests that a 5 month election period is a better way to handle our elections, her argument would have some validity. In fact that is a very bad idea that no democratic country would take seriously. But, in the ever changing rules that the Clintons have proposed, such an idea is actually being taken seriously by Hillary's core of super delegates. It would be like adjusting the standings in baseball based upon the cumulative margin of victory. Baseball games are played one at a time over a 6 month period and a 1 run win counts the same as a 10 run win. Governor Rendell seems sincere about the popular vote idea. He knows better. He and other Clinton super delegates are advancing this tortured argument. But, where are the uncommitted super delegates?
These uncommitted delegates need to show more logic and political courage. Hillary cannot win the pledged delegate vote. It is also unlikely that she will win the cumulative popular vote. At the end of the primary elections it is likely that Obama will have about 1900 delegates and Clinton will have 1800 which includes the committed super delegates. Approximately 350 super delegates are still uncommitted. If each get 1/2 or 175 of the remaining uncommitted delegates, Obama would get the nomination. For Hillary to win, she would need the support of almost 2/3 of the remaining uncommitted super delegates which is an unlikely result.
My suggestion for these 350 uncommitted delegates is to show some courage and logic. They need to understand that the 5+ month cumulative popular vote is meaningless and they should understand that this is a divisive Clintonesque strategy. And if this lasts until June, it will damage the unity of the Democrats.
The super delegates must know that overturning the elected delegate result would seriously reduce the chances of victory in November. Accordingly, the uncommitted super delegates could end this charade immediately. Whether it is Al Gore or some of the other super delegates, someone with independent and logical thinking needs to take charge. The remaining contests in the primary is a waste of resources that could be better used in the November election.
The super delegates must know that overturning the elected delegate result would seriously reduce the chances of victory in November. Accordingly, the uncommitted super delegates could end this charade immediately. Whether it is Al Gore or some of the other super delegates, someone with independent and logical thinking needs to take charge. The remaining contests in the primary is a waste of resources that could be better used in the November election.
