PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Chris Freind
The Democratic Party has redefined "irony". And that irony is becoming a nightmare.
First, there is the Democratic National Committee's insane decision to disenfranchise voters in Michigan and Florida--- a move that has come back to bite them with a vengeance. And now, it is a certainty that the Democratic nomination contest will not be decided by the millions who voted, but by 400 non-elected Party insiders (superdelegates).
What makes this situation so interesting is that the Democrats have always claimed the high ground in "empowering" people to cast their vote, reinforcing the idea that every vote matters. Remember, this is the Party that, to this day, protests George W. Bush's win in 2000 by claiming that he "stole" the election. After his "friends" on the Supreme Court ruled that those Floridians who were too inept to properly cast a ballot should have their votes nullified, it became, to them, a case of monumental disenfranchisement.
However, what goes around comes around.
The ill-informed media will, of course, tell us incessantly over the next six weeks that our vote (and the delegates it produces) in the April 22 Pennsylvania primary could well decide the Democratic winner heading into their convention in August. But that's simply not true. Our vote is meaningless when it comes to delegates. The only way Pennsylvania voters can affect this election is by providing momentum. Period.
Make no mistake. Momentum is a huge and important factor in this race. A candidate with the perception of front-runner status has a tremendous advantage. But as far as our vote affecting the race to 2,025 delegates needed for victory, forget it.
Mathematically, there is no way Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama can win the nomination through the election process. Their pledged delegate counts are virtually even, and about half of the 796 superdelegates have chosen sides (also evenly split). While superdelegates are not legally bound to vote for the candidate to whom they've expressed support, it is reasonable to assume that the vast majority will remain loyal.
And that brings us to the remaining 400 superdelegates. As non-elected party insiders, they are making an end run around the people, holding all the power in deciding who their party's nominee will be. What does that say about fairness? How is that reflective in any way of empowering people? America disapproves of smoke-filled back room deals, but that's exactly what is already taking place. Superdelegates are for sale to the highest bidder.
What do you want? A job? That can be arranged. How about an ambassadorship? Does your company need a government contract? Vote for me and we'll make it happen.
There will also be unprecedented political strong-arming. Vote against Obama and you'll have to answer to the substantial black population in your district, Congressman. Vote against Hillary and risk incurring the wrath of Bill, still as popular---and vindictive--- as ever.
This wheeling and dealing will occur in both camps, but the advantage goes to Ms. Clinton. She and Bill have been consummate insiders for decades, and have built up a tremendous amount of IOU's. Obama, only three years removed from being a state senator, will be forced to compensate for his disadvantage by engaging in a fight to the death.
Is this the scenario the Democrats had in mind when they designed their nomination process? It is a mess of their own doing, and they stand on the brink of an all-out war that threatens to fracture the party beyond repair heading into November.
So much for democracy in action.
Hollywood couldn't have scripted this any better.
Chris Freind can be reached at CF@TheBulletin.us
