DNC Headed For Super-Delegate Fight
By Reid Wilson
Dems are headed for what could be a major showdown over the power of super-delegates as a commission aimed at reforming the primary process wraps up its work.
Meeting in DC, the Dem Change Commission put finishing touches on a report it will make to another party committee recommending changes to the timeline, the caucus process and the influence of unpledged delegates.
Members largely agree that presidential nominating contests need to begin later, and that caucus states need to group together to establish best practices.
But disagreement over unpledged delegates remain after '08, when the nominating process between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton focused largely on those super-delegates. Dem members of Congress, governors and DNC members are given automatic votes at national conventions, making up nearly 20% of voting delegates -- enough to have given either Clinton or Obama a winning majority after pledged delegates were allocated.
The commission needs to "make sure the American people understand that their vote counts," said Donna Brazile, Al Gore's campaign manager in '00. Proponents of reducing super-delegate influence say elected delegates should have all the power, while opponents say elected party officials should keep control over part of the process.
The Change Commission's draft report suggests reducing the influence of unpledged super-delegates but does not offer specific proposals.
"[I]t is now time to significantly reduce the role of automatic, unpledged delegates in our nominating process," the draft says. But, it adds: "The unpledged delegates cover a wide range of elected officials and local Democratic activists. Commission members felt it critical to keep these party leaders involved in the process. Any reduction to the number of unpledged delegates must continue to provide participation in the convention, and also during the primary process in their own states."
"I don't think we've come to a consensus yet," admitted Minyon Moore, a commission member and Dem consultant who headed the WH political affairs office under Pres. Clinton.
The real fight will happen when the Change Commission gives their recommendations to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee. Each member of the RBC is a super-delegate, making it unlikely they will happliy give away their own power, or that of their colleagues on the DNC.
Brazile, who is not on the Change Commission but is a member of the RBC, previewed one potential compromise by suggesting the number of elected delegates pledged to future presidential candidates be increased, so that the percentage of total delegates who are unelected is reduced.
"I will continue to support efforts to increase the power of the pledged delegates," Brazile said.
In a brief interview with Hotline OnCall as he signed copies of his new book for fans, David Plouffe, Pres. Obama's '08 campaign manager and a commission member, refused to predict how the debate would resolve itself.
The commission will finalize the report on a conference call later this month.