Posted on 02/05/2008 11:27:41 PM PST by underground
(Part Four in a series examining how Hillary's campaign goes beyond the voting booth and into the very power structure of the Democratic party itself.)
The Democratic Party has 4,049 delegates scheduled for its convention
Whoever wins needs 50% + 1, or 2,025 delegates. 3,253 of these delegates are up for grabs in the primary election voting process, but 796 are given to party leaders, insiders, advisors, and top contributors. These super-delegates can vote for whomever they like.
The process was instituted following the massive general election loss of George McGovern, a candidate popular with the progressive left who was then easily defeated by Nixon - who was actually seen as the moderate.
Hillary Leads in Superdelegates 2:1
You can't be friends with everyone in politics unless your ability to grant favors and influence is infinite. Its inevitable that Hillary won't win every single party super-delegate, but what has been counted so far indicates she has a huge lead within the party. Bill and Hillary have been supporting pillars of the Democratic party for decades now - since even before Bill took office in Washington D.C., they've played well within the system and supported their allies. Loyalty and seniority play into Hillary's huge superdelegate lead - remember, these are important attributes in unions and Democratic politics alike.
If the voting ties; Hillary wins
Bad news for Obama fans, but unless Hillary does something to anger the establishment of the party, there's no way they will abandon her and her husband's legendary fundraising abilities. Obama is making a big splash, and he's surely noted for fast advancement through the party ranks, but the Democrats still have a debt to repay the Clinton family for decades of service to the cause.
If Obama wins the Vote; Hillary can still win
Even if the super delegates aren't enough, Hillary could call on her majority of the superdelegates to re-instate the delegates from Michigan and Florida. She will easily be able to argue that these states are important to any party general election strategy - the party won't want to alienate them as early as the nominating convention.
Right now, Hillary's lead looks safe - and her campaign is a masterwork of utilizing party machinery. Say what you will about her policies, but Hillary knows how to win.
“Say what you will about her policies, but Hillary knows how to win.”
And that’s what scares me about her. I’ll take an empty suit over someone who’s spent a decade and a half learning how to pull the strings on elections from the best in the business any day.
I tallied up the votes cast for both Obama and Clinton tonight.
Clinton 6,260,729
Obama 6,219,836
That is about as near a tie as you can get.
Note: I included the states that had ‘caucus’ also. The ‘caucus’ numbers are low and do not represent voters. Since Obama won all the caucus states, his numbers would be higher than listed.
Look at the demographics.
We are aging and want SS benefits and healthcare - advantage: Hillary
We have a growing Mexican population (even bigger after amnesty is granted by the Dems). advantage: Hillary
We have over 50% women. advantage: Hillary
We have blacks that seemingly vote for handouts only. advantage: Hillary
Now, how are we EVER going to elect a conservative again?
Hillary is Prez for 8 years and we will go down the drain as a nation.
The ultimate welfare ship with Hillary as Admiral.
Sounds like that is the Clinton way: win ties, and hey, insist that you win even when you lose too.
Selected, not elected. How sweet the irony if it turns out that way.
the face of the future fuhrer of the democrat party and the United States.
Hillary Clinton still has 90% chance of winning the democrat party nomination but to portray her as a great campaigner is really idiotic because she proved otherwise so far.
Questions?
Elected or selected with Rodham on the top of the ticket the black voter stays home?
Did Al Gore do anything other then dial for dollars and attend funerals?
Why would Obama want to be third assistant to Billary?
Obama on top might drive some bigots and Hispanics away?
Billary does not play second fiddle and why would Obama want them?
If Hillary wins or not, we don’t need to worry!
We’ll still have the Constitution and all our freedoms.
Wait... She did say she’s “Ready on Day One” and
she and Bill did write all those Executive Orders, all
“Ready” on Day One...
Oops. I think America is in for a BIG Surprise!
Hillary Rodham “Do-harm” Clinton
READY (to Destroy) on DAY ONE!
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