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 Clinton Camp Blasts Pelosi Over Superdelegate
Remarks
by The Associated Press
Posted: March 27, 2008 - 8:00 am ET
(Washington) Twenty top Democratic donors who are
supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for
saying superdelegates should support the presidential candidate with the most
pledged delegates.
No matter what the outcome of the 10 remaining contests,
it will be nearly impossible for Clinton to overcome Barack Obama's lead in
pledged delegates because they are awarded proportionally based on the outcome.
So it will be up to the nearly 800 superdelegates - party
activists and elected officials who aren't bound by any vote - to put one of
them over the mark of 2,024 delegates needed to win the nomination. Obama has
1,406 pledged delegates to Clinton's 1,249, according to The Associated Press
count.
Pelosi, who has not endorsed either candidate as chair of
the Democratic National Convention, said during a March 16 appearance on ABC's
"This Week" that it would be harmful to the party if superdelegates
don't support the pledged delegate winner.
In their letter, Clinton's supporters said superdelegates
"must look to not one criterion but to the full panoply of factors that
will help them assess who will be the party's strongest nominee in the general
election."
The letter also noted the donors "have been strong
supporters" of the House Democrats' fundraising apparatus.
"We therefore urge you to clarify your position on
superdelegates and reflect in your comments a more open view to the optional
independent actions of each of the delegates at the national convention in
August," they said.
Pelosi stands by her comment, said her spokesman, Brendan
Daly.
"The speaker believes it would do great harm to the
Democratic Party if superdelegates are perceived to overturn the will of the
voters," he said. "This has been her position throughout this primary
season, regardless of who was ahead at any particular point in delegates or
votes."
Obama spokesman Bill Burton called the letter
"inappropriate."
"We hope the Clinton campaign will reject the
insinuation contained in it," he said. "Regardless of the outcome of
the nomination fight, Senator Obama will continue to urge his supporters to
assist Speaker Pelosi in her efforts to maintain and build a working majority in
the House of Representatives."
In response, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said: "Few
have done more to build the Democratic Party than Bill and Hillary Clinton. The
last thing they need is a lecture from the Obama campaign."
The letter was first reported by The Washington Post and
the political blog Talking Points Memo.
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