What are Super Delegates?

BRY2K

The Democratic Party has three types of delegates; two types are elected at the state level. The third is less well publicized or understood: the super-delegate. Who Are Super-Delegates? Super-delegates (approximately 850 in 2008) include the following: Elected members of the Democratic National Committee (~450) Democratic Governors Democratic US Senators and US Representatives (including non-voting delegates) Distinguished party leaders (current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents; former Democratic leaders of the Senate and House; former DNC chairmen) Unpledged "add-on's" chosen by the DNC Read about the importance and 2008 Super Delegates here: http://uspolitics.about.com/od/2008elections/tp/super_delegates.htm Mar 05 08, 12:11 PM

rxbigdawg

Super delegates are individuals that hold positions such as congressional seats, govonerships, past presidents that gives them a vote for who they want to represent their party. So while the popular vote may account for half of the votes a handful of super delegates could accont for the other half. Super delegates can lose their super status though if they cross the line and suport the other party such as Joe Lieberman's suport for John McCain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate Mar 05 08, 12:13 PM