“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.” - Theodor Roosevelt

Well since it seems that for the most part the Republican primaries are over, I’ve found myself paying more attention to what’s going on the other side of the aisle. That’s when I ran into the Super delegates. I was at first very excited by the prospect of a new team of super heroes, out there to make sure that the process of the election happened in a timely and proper manner.. however, the more I’ve read, the more I found that super delegates are just a sad glimpse of what the Democratic party would like the future of America to be, with them in control.

What is a super delegate? That’s just the question I set out to find the answer to a few weeks ago. What I learned was disturbing. I won’t go into the intricate details of the primary process here: I’ll give you all the reader’s digest version. In order for a candidate to get the “nod” from their party, they must have a majority of delegates at the national convention. That’s what the primaries are for. Voters vote the allegiance of their delegates for the national convention, thus ensuring their candidate gets the nod. Seems straight forward enough. Seems pretty democratic. Seems mostly logical Enter the super delegates.

Now, the Democratic party has approximately 4,020 delegates at their convention. Of that 4000, 800 or approximately 20% are super delegates. These are unpledged party officials that have no allegiance to voters, the public or anyone other than themselves and the possibly the DNC. What qualifies someone to be a super delegate? I couldn’t find any hard and fast rules, it just seems that party officials and other people that the DNC deem “worthy” are placed in these positions. Quite the scary prospect. Also, quite the insight into how the DNC thinks.

Well, I know what most of you are thinking.. 20% big freaking deal. What does that really mean in the long run. Well, what it means is, that in a case like we have this year, where Hillary and Obama are rather close in the running, that instead of the people getting to make the decision who may be representing them in their election, the decision will fall back to “those who know better.” The party officials. Those in charge. Our “betters.” At least in their mind.

Okay.. so what about the RNC? Do Republicans have super delegates? Well, of a fashion. The party heads are each considered an unpledged delegate. However, of the 2000 or so votes, there are only 100, less than 5%. A huge difference if you ask me.

So what does this really mean? Am I just being paranoid (as usual)? I don’t think so. (Then again I never do.) Honestly in this case I think it gives us some good insight into just what the Democrats think of their voters… that, in a pinch, they would rather not leave the decisions to the people. I think this is just one more sign in a long line of them that shows just how much contempt the Democrats actually hold for “the people.” They don’t feel they are here to serve the people, they are here to make decisions for those who are incapable of making decisions themselves.

Last 5 posts by Jeff Hopkins

• The Yeti Rants: The Change has Come to Town! - November 26th, 2008
• The Yeti Rants: Wall Street, Congress and Bailouts.. OH MY - October 8th, 2008
• The Yeti Rants: Obama vs. McCain... what's the difference? - June 23rd, 2008
• The Yeti Rants: It's Good to be Back! - January 30th, 2008
• The Yeti Rants: Is This What the People Asked For? - February 16th, 2007