In my inbox today - letter from colorofchange.org

[Clinton Crusader]

Forwarded to me, this is being sent all over. The numbers seemingly randomly thrown all over are footnotes and references. They didn't transfer well. Just FYI
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Nearly 20,000 of you have spoken. CNN, Black radio, and online blogs(1) are
amplifying the message: members of Congress shouldn't decide the Democratic nominee -- the voters should.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are starting to feel the pressure. The issue was discussed in depth at Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union,(2) and there are increasing signs that some CBC members are listening, including John Lewis' announcement that he will follow the will of the voters.(3)

You can help us build on this momentum. Please join us in demanding that CBC members take a stand for democracy:

http://colorofchange.org/superd/?id=1849-149029

Voters in places like Atlanta,(4) Brooklyn,(5) St. Louis,(6) and Inglewood(7) have made clear their choice for president: Barack Obama. But some members of the Congressional Black Caucus are threatening to use their power as "superdelegates" to undermine the votes of their constituents, as well as those of voters in general.(8)

Voters should decide elections--not politicians. And members of the Congressional Black Caucus should amplify the political voice of their constituents, not silence it.

Superdelegate votes

Voters in almost all the districts represented by the CBC have chosen Obama, helping him win more delegates than Clinton. But only some delegates vote based on the results of primaries. A fifth of the delegates that will vote at the convention -- and decide the nomination -- are "superdelegates" that can technically vote however they like, regardless of what the voters say.(9) These superdelegates are
members of Congress, senators, governors and Democratic party insiders. In a contest this close, they have the power to overturn the will of voters, and decide the outcome.

Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr.,(10) John Conyers,(11) Eleanor Holmes-Norton,(12) and others have called for superdelegates to listen to the voices of those they claim to represent, but some have refused or have remained silent. At least 11 Black members of Congress might cast their superdelegate vote for Clinton, even though their districts voted for Obama. Even after their constituents showed an overwhelming preference for Obama, most are refusing to say what they'll do as superdelegates.(13)

In 2000 and 2004, CBC members stood up to defend the rights of Black voters that had been disenfranchised. It would be a disgrace for its members to now undermine the votes of the same voters. It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Please join us:

http://colorofchange.org/superd/?id=1849-149029

Thank You and Peace,

James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, Mervyn, Andre, and the rest of the
ColorOfChange.org team
February 28th, 2008

P.S. Here's what John Lewis (Congressman from Georgia) said about his change of heart:

"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty as a representative of the 5th Congressional District to express the will of the people... As a U.S. representative, it is my role not to try to subdue or suppress the will of the people, but to help it prosper and grow."

Here's what Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D.C.'s Congressional Delegate) had to say about her role as a superdelegate:

"As a super delegate, I decided I had to speak up now to separate myself from the idea that is afoot for the first time that super delegates, especially those who have not announced their choice, could or should decide our nominee under some circumstances. The notion that a candidate who has not earned delegates could become the Democratic nominee for president is at odds with the democratic principles of our party reforms. Super delegates were never intended to allow the return of smoked-filled room, behind the scenes selection of our candidate. I have carried a banner for a democracy of the District of Columbia too long to depart
from principles of democracy within my own party."(14)

Here's Donna Brazile (a strategist who ran Al Gore's campaign and has a position with the DNC):

"If 795 of my colleagues decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this."(15)

References:

1. Initial press coverage of our campaign
http://www.colorofchange.org/superd/coverage

2. More SOBU: Jackson Lee Says Don't Be Angry; Sharpton Kills; And More, Jack and Jill Politics, 2-23-08
http://tinyurl.com/26285g

3. Lewis switches from Clinton to Obama, CNN Political Ticker, 2-27-08
http://tinyurl.com/2nygm7

4. Huckabee, Obama Celebrate Wins In Georgia, WSB-TV, 2-7-2008
http://www.wsbtv.com/politics/15212406/detail.html

5. New York Primary Results, USAToday.com
http://content.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/results.aspx?sp=NY

6. Election Summary Report, City of Saint Louis
http://www.stlelections.com/results/results-1.htm

7. California Primary Results, USAToday.com
http://content.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/results.aspx?sp=CA

8. Black lawmakers backing Obama press colleagues to heed voters, The Hill, 2-16-08
http://tinyurl.com/383bu4

9. Superdelegate, Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate

10. The delicate superdelegate predicament, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.,
Op-ed in the New York Times, 2-12-08
http://tinyurl.com/3c666q

11. See reference 8.

12. Deciding Between Two Good Friends, Norton Chooses Obama, Hotline On Call, 2-12-08
http://tinyurl.com/2hcnbq

13. See reference 8.

14. See reference 12.

15. Democrats dreading a drawn-out, costly battle for nomination, CNN.com,
2-8-08
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/dem.delegates/

[rodeodance]

1. crapola

[Freida5]

2. Smells like a move-on.org strategy