Uncommitted Democratic superdelegates in Congress overwhelmingly say they won’t necessarily back the presidential candidate who wins the most primary delegates. Instead, electability will be very important in their decision.
Of 42 lawmakers interviewed by The Hill, only four said they regarded the primary vote as decisive.
Only 10 percent of lawmakers interviewed by The Hill said the delegate count on June 4, the day after the final primaries in Montana and South Dakota, will determine whom they decide to support. There are 70 neutral superdelegates in the House and 22 in the Senate.
“What will be decisive will be two factors: who would make the best president and who has the best chance of winning,” said Rep. Howard Berman (D), an uncommitted lawmaker from Los Angeles.
Neutral Democrats representing districts across the country voiced the same sentiment.
“I will look at who I think can be the winner in November,” said Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.), who has yet to endorse a candidate.
So if the superdelegates want to have the final say, what's the point of having the primaries to begin with, if they are going to ignore the will of their constituents? It's still possible for Obama to not have locked up the nomination by the time the convention comes around. If that happens, there is a distinct possibility for Hillary to still have a chance to win.
If that happens, you watch a LOT of people defect over to the McCain camp, regardless of what people think of McCain to begin with. They will be so disenfranchised, many of them will vote for a Republican to spite Hillary. It doesn't look good for either Democratic candidate right now.
Of course, 6 months ago, Hillary was in the lead and Obama was trailing badly, so anything really is possible. :)
Travis
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