Nebraska Superdelegates

Crossposted at The Nebraska Progressive:

There's been quite a bit of talk this election cycle about how Superdelegates might be the deciding factor in this years Presidential election. There are over 800 of them and they include elected officials, party leaders, and past Presidents. So we know where Bill Clinton's vote is going but just who are Nebraska's Superdelegates and where is their vote headed?

The Omaha World Herald ran a story on them this morning:

The Nebraska Democratic Party will send 31 delegates to the national party convention in Denver. Of those; 24 are pledged delegates and obligated to vote based on the Feb. 9 caucus results. Sixteen will cast ballots for Barack Obama and eigh for Hillary Clinton.

The other's are superdelegates -- party leaders who are free to vote for any candidates...

   

  • U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson - Obama

  •    
  • National Committeeman Vince Powers - Obama

  •    
  • National Committeewoman Kathleen Fahey - Obama

  •    
  • Chairman of the DNC's Native American Caucus Frank LeMere - Obama

  •    
  • Party Chairman Steve Achepohl - Undecided

  •    
  • First Associate Chairwoman Audra Ostergard - Undecided

  •    
  • To be determined at the state convention - ???


  • This leaves the Superdelegate count at 6 Obama, 0 Clinton, 3 in play. Achepohl and Ostergard have said they plan to wait until after Tuesday to make a decision.

    The seventh delegate will be voted on at the convention, no candidates have officially announced but word is that Nebraska for Obama Chairman Sol Kleinsmith is going to make a run for it. Which of course means that delegate would go to Sen. Obama.

    All of the Superdelegates may vote for whomever they choose, and are not obligated to vote for the candidate they endorse - that includes the elected superdelegate. It is an interesting process to say the least. I will be interested to see where outgoing State Chair Steve Achepohl's vote goes - he has strong ties to the Clinton's, but may vote with the will of the Nebraska people who overwhelming supported Barack Obama in the Feb. 9th Caucus.



    Display:


    Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see a flood... (none / 0)

    ... of superdelegates to Obama. Folks in the pary do not want to see this dogfight dragged on through Pennsylvania, and if Clinton doesn't withdraw on her own, the supers will make her decision for her.


    by Bob Johnson on Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 02:55:55 PM EST

    Re: Nebraska Superdelegates (2.00 / 1)

    So its O.K. to have the super delegates get Clinton out of the race early, but not O.K. for the primaries to go on?  Not ok to count all the votes (Mich and Fl) and O.K. to have republicans/independents select the democratic nominee, your logic is troubling to say the least.  Why not give Penn the chance to vote?  Maybe because there only democrats can vote.  Don't want us to know that dems don't support their candidate do you?


    democrat voter
    by democrat voter on Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 03:46:19 PM EST

    Re: Nebraska Superdelegates (none / 0)

    After Tuesday night, run the numbers in one of the delegate calculators out there and you can see how much Clinton will need just to catch up in pledged delegates.

    Or use one now with your predictions for Tuesday night and predictions for coming contests.  This will tell you why a lot of people think Clinton can't catch Obama in pledged delegates.

    Here's one: http://www.slate.com/id/2185278/

    The superdelegates will be doing this, I'm sure.


    by mainelib on Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 04:19:42 PM EST
    [ Parent ]

    Re: Nebraska Superdelegates (none / 0)

    What exactly is my logic? I didn't present real opinion in this piece, I just wrote about the state of Nebraska Superdelegates. I truely think that Superdelegates are ridiculous regardless of who wins.


    "I think we can do better. That is what Robert Kennedy always said. I think we can do better too. Won't you join me in the effort?" - Paul Wellstone
    by Mike Nellis on Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 04:54:20 PM EST
    [ Parent ]

    Re: Nebraska Superdelegates (none / 0)

    Why would a red state Senator go for Obama?  Because he knows that Obama can help his state's Democratic party and Clinton hurts it.

    Also, Clinton ignored senators like Nelson in the Senate because she didn't think she needed people like him who weren't media stars.  Obama was much smarter and didn't see anyone (or any state) as not worth his attention.  This approach has helped Obama win big in many, many states and also win endorsements.


    by mainelib on Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 04:17:06 PM EST


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