Democratic Primary: it looks more and more like Hillary Clinton is going to fight until the end for superdelegates. This is a road that almost everyone thinks is a bad one for Democrats; a fight until the bitter end and not winning the support of the entire party because of fragmenting of supporters and basically going against the will of the electorate.
Here is the problem with the argument (and here is where Hillary is, at least, historically correct). From 1968 to 1984, Democrats won one Presidential election. That election was one that the incumbent hardly put his heart into it (sorry to the three Gerald Ford fans out there). The superdelegate system was put into place because they wanted to bring the party closer to the center (and reduce the possibility of Carters, Mondales and McGoverns). It is quite obvious that superdelegates were put into place for undemocratic reasons (why would you need them unless they would overrule the people in favor of electability). If you are going to demand that superdelegates follow the will of the people, then it is actually Obama who is advocating a breaking of precedent and rule. It is also a good argument that people who are chosen as superdelegates have much more to lose if they fall behind the wrong candidate so they would naturally aim for a winner. If you are a party leader, your job and position in leadership depends on it. If you are part of the congressional delegation, your electability is affected.
Everybody on the left was rubbing their hands in delight over a protracted and bitter Republican battle to the nomination. McCain is it though and people are already starting to think about him strategically against either candidate. Now it is looking as though the fight may be on the Democratic side and it is already looking like Hillary is through making appeals to the people and is content fighting for superdelegate votes. Millions of dollars to ads against each other instead of ads against McCain.
And while I may find talk radio to be pretty vile, please try to convince me that they won’t have a field day with this nomination contest if it becomes bitter. Meanwhile, McCain can punch it in for a few months, go to fundraisers and press the flesh with some of his biggest doubters. While McCain may need the rest more than Clinton or Obama, they could definitely be running on fumes by the time critical October campaigning is going on.
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