Obama Wins: Super Delegates Must Wait
Rizwan Ghani
February 11, 2008
Obama has emerged victorious just as I predicted in my last article, Super Tuesday: Obama emerges stronger. He has won 18 states as compared to Hillary´s victory in 10 states (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4270028).
It is opined that the talk of interference by Super Delegates at this stage is premature and undemocratic. Obama while commenting on the issue of Super Delegates has rightly opined that will of democrat voters should be respected. However, Hillary camp will not leave any stone unturned to stay in the race as both parties head for Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. There are already reports that Hillary has secretly visited John Edwards who still has to take his position on supporting Obama or Hillary.
In my opinion, if Edwards is to announce his support for Obama or Hillary he must do it now in party interest and to bring an end the controversy of Super Delegates at this stage. Edwards by endorsing Obama will strengthen Democrat Party´s chance of winning the elections because Obama has more support of independent voters than does Hillary. Her failure to win independent votes in New York shows the depth of challenge for the Democratic Party. The party leadership has to remain focused on party objective of winning the Nov. elections.
Edwards therefore has to take a decision of supporting Obama at this stage in party interest and part of bigger picture. He by doing so will serve party interest and support the candidate whose message has wider appeal. The importance of independent voters and stronger message-Obama´s message of change- will grow important as Democrats head for national campaign. It is hoped that Edwards announces his support for Obama as there are reports that both Edwards and Obama are scheduled to meet secretly on Obama´s requested. (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/abc-news-eloise.html).
Edwards had made poverty central theme of his presidential campaign. Independent political pundits are of the view that out of Obama and Clinton, Obama´s position on such issues more closer to Edwards. However, Hillary´s vote bank is stronger in working classes and on the issue of jobs. It is something that Obama needs to work on. It is opined that Obama campaign needs to really concentrate on this issue and other kitchen table issues because records show that Obama has so far failed to attract decisive votes on these issues. In terms of health care Obama campaign has failed to convince the voters. In my opinion, American health care system needs to be ´socialized´ on lines of Massachusetts but sold with a different name with heavy borrowing from French, Canadian and British health system. America will not mind paying a reasonable amount of money for health insurance on line of Massachusetts as long as on one is left behind. It is therefore necessary for Obama and the Democrat party itself to ´Personalize´ the issue for tactical and strategic gains.
I am of the opinion that the time for Super Delegates has not come yet. The party leadership not Hillary camp should decided the time for Super Delegates. It is not before Democrat Convention in May that the issue be touched and even at time it should be decided in party interest and party interest only. The millions of votes polled by the Democrats in itself are a sufficient reason to keep the 796 Super Delegates on hold for completion of the democratic process.
Democrat party leadership should therefore step forward and remove the option of intervention of Super Delegates at this stage to end speculations and allow democratic process including primaries and caucuses continue. Clinton campaign should not muddy the water. The controversy will endanger party´s future in Nov. presidential election and could drive away the independent voters who- as opined by almost all political experts- hold key to victory to ´08 Presidential elections.
There party leaders should therefore tell the candidates and the party voters that they must be patient till party´s traditional presidential nomination processes exhausts all the options- caucuses, primaries including finalization of party deliberations on holding caucuses in Michigan and Florida- before opting for the option of Super Delegation. Similarly, huge states including Texas and Ohio are still vote.
Politics is all about choosing from the imperfect alternates and Obama may not be the most perfect of the perfect candidates but as compared to Hillary who like McCain stands for the past he is the messenger of Change for America that will not have anything to with what all has gone wrong in the past.
In all probability, Hillary has counted her wins and now it is Obama´s time to ride the tide. It is therefore responsibility of Democrat Party leadership to provide a level democratic field so that both candidates in addition to vying for party´s nomination should also focus on real issues and keep the party united to face the Republicans in Nov. Presidential elections.
Lastly, it is therefore the responsibility of party leaders to keep the Super Delegates out until Party´s May Convention. Similarly, both Hillary and Obama must restrain from resorting to tactics that could harm party´s position as it heads for national race- a Republican´s dream come true scenario- that no Democrat would like to see following party´s eight years of stay out of power and dismal performance in the Congress.
It is opined that the talk of interference by Super Delegates at this stage is premature and undemocratic. Obama while commenting on the issue of Super Delegates has rightly opined that will of democrat voters should be respected. However, Hillary camp will not leave any stone unturned to stay in the race as both parties head for Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. There are already reports that Hillary has secretly visited John Edwards who still has to take his position on supporting Obama or Hillary.
In my opinion, if Edwards is to announce his support for Obama or Hillary he must do it now in party interest and to bring an end the controversy of Super Delegates at this stage. Edwards by endorsing Obama will strengthen Democrat Party´s chance of winning the elections because Obama has more support of independent voters than does Hillary. Her failure to win independent votes in New York shows the depth of challenge for the Democratic Party. The party leadership has to remain focused on party objective of winning the Nov. elections.
Edwards therefore has to take a decision of supporting Obama at this stage in party interest and part of bigger picture. He by doing so will serve party interest and support the candidate whose message has wider appeal. The importance of independent voters and stronger message-Obama´s message of change- will grow important as Democrats head for national campaign. It is hoped that Edwards announces his support for Obama as there are reports that both Edwards and Obama are scheduled to meet secretly on Obama´s requested. (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/02/abc-news-eloise.html).
Edwards had made poverty central theme of his presidential campaign. Independent political pundits are of the view that out of Obama and Clinton, Obama´s position on such issues more closer to Edwards. However, Hillary´s vote bank is stronger in working classes and on the issue of jobs. It is something that Obama needs to work on. It is opined that Obama campaign needs to really concentrate on this issue and other kitchen table issues because records show that Obama has so far failed to attract decisive votes on these issues. In terms of health care Obama campaign has failed to convince the voters. In my opinion, American health care system needs to be ´socialized´ on lines of Massachusetts but sold with a different name with heavy borrowing from French, Canadian and British health system. America will not mind paying a reasonable amount of money for health insurance on line of Massachusetts as long as on one is left behind. It is therefore necessary for Obama and the Democrat party itself to ´Personalize´ the issue for tactical and strategic gains.
I am of the opinion that the time for Super Delegates has not come yet. The party leadership not Hillary camp should decided the time for Super Delegates. It is not before Democrat Convention in May that the issue be touched and even at time it should be decided in party interest and party interest only. The millions of votes polled by the Democrats in itself are a sufficient reason to keep the 796 Super Delegates on hold for completion of the democratic process.
Democrat party leadership should therefore step forward and remove the option of intervention of Super Delegates at this stage to end speculations and allow democratic process including primaries and caucuses continue. Clinton campaign should not muddy the water. The controversy will endanger party´s future in Nov. presidential election and could drive away the independent voters who- as opined by almost all political experts- hold key to victory to ´08 Presidential elections.
There party leaders should therefore tell the candidates and the party voters that they must be patient till party´s traditional presidential nomination processes exhausts all the options- caucuses, primaries including finalization of party deliberations on holding caucuses in Michigan and Florida- before opting for the option of Super Delegation. Similarly, huge states including Texas and Ohio are still vote.
Politics is all about choosing from the imperfect alternates and Obama may not be the most perfect of the perfect candidates but as compared to Hillary who like McCain stands for the past he is the messenger of Change for America that will not have anything to with what all has gone wrong in the past.
In all probability, Hillary has counted her wins and now it is Obama´s time to ride the tide. It is therefore responsibility of Democrat Party leadership to provide a level democratic field so that both candidates in addition to vying for party´s nomination should also focus on real issues and keep the party united to face the Republicans in Nov. Presidential elections.
Lastly, it is therefore the responsibility of party leaders to keep the Super Delegates out until Party´s May Convention. Similarly, both Hillary and Obama must restrain from resorting to tactics that could harm party´s position as it heads for national race- a Republican´s dream come true scenario- that no Democrat would like to see following party´s eight years of stay out of power and dismal performance in the Congress.