A super idea for super delegates: Disclose now
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By Times staff | Saturday, March 01, 2008 |
Why the suspense? U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley and Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan are among the Iowa superdelegates who remain uncommitted in their convention votes. It’s hard to see why. Iowa Democrats made no secret of their preferences. On that memorable opening night of the presidential selection process, Iowans turned out in record numbers to publicly proclaim it.
It sure grabbed the attention of the rest of the nation.
Yet some of Iowa’s elite Democrat superdelegates are being coy. None of them seem to particularly like their preferred status, which seems to us the antithesis of “democratic.”
“I am convinced that this idea of superdelegates has got to be done away with,” Harkin said last week. “I’ve never felt comfortable with it anyway. It gives these superdelegates a little too much power to decide these things at the end in a close race.”
Yet his convention vote remains secret. He’s still pondering. But what?
State party chairman Brennan says he’s trying to gauge if Sens. Clinton or Obama will best protect Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status. “That’s something that’s going to influence my thought process, because that’s obviously important to the Iowa Democratic Party and Iowa Democrats in general,” he said.
Braley, a former Edwards supporter, has been more circumspect. He told the Times Editorial Board the position was uncomfortable, but
wouldn’t hint at his choice.
Democrats statewide made Obama the clear winner. That should clear things up for Harkin and Brennan. Iowa’s 1st District Democrats did likewise. That should clear things up for Braley.
Protecting Iowa’s spot at the head of the primary line wasn’t a significant campaign issue. And it shouldn’t be. Iowa Democrats made their choices after comparing the candidates’ positions on things like war, health care, immigration and energy. Each trumps a preferred caucus date.
Every minute of indecision that goes by strengthens the perception the superdelegate votes will be influenced by something other than a popular, public vote. We encourage our elected leaders not to look to the candidates, or tea leaves, or the tide of national opinion.
Instead, look to what most Iowa Democrats did caucus night. Do that.
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