We've heard it repeated over and over again. It's the only stubborn fact about the delegate math that, in its uncertain state, favors neither candidate. It's generally accepted conventional wisdom by Clinton supporters and Obama supporters alike.
It is the role that superdelegates play in the nomination process, and the fact that neither candidate can clinch the nomination without them.
The media breathlessly and repeatedly ponders whether the superdelegates will confirm the pledged delegate leader (favoring Obama), or overturn the results of the pledged delegates and throw the race in the other direction (favoring Clinton).
I have one thing to say to the remaining undecided superdelegates:
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
If the campaign conitnues on its current trajectory, the fate of this nomination will come down to your votes.
You may feel (rightly, perhaps) that your unique position at this time in American politics puts a heavy burden on your shoulders to take ample time to make the right decision.
You may have a specific cause you care passionately about (healthcare, poverty, the war) that you can help advance by leveraging your vote.
You may want to "keep your powder dry" in order to help in the event of a brokered convention.
While I sympathize with the intent of all of these arguments, there is a consideration that supersedes all of them: the compelling need for Democratic primary voters in the remaining contests to know the stakes.
There is no excuse for the remaining undeclared superdelegates any longer. You MUST declare your support before the remaining contests commence. Why? So that as we embark upon the final 10 contests, our Demcoratic primary voters know that their votes will be dispositive as to who our nominee will be.
So, superdelegates, listen up. (From .Democratic Convention Watch) There are only 59 of the remaining 339 undeclared superdelegates who are from states that have not yet voted. You get a pass until your state votes. Of the 280 that remain, 74 are add-on delegates still to be determined by state parties and usually pledged. That leaves 206 of you that have no excuse.
Please, I beg of you. The only way you can save this nomination process is to ensure that the voters have the final say. No backroom deals. No selling your superdelegate vote to the highest bidder on the convention floor (No, I want to be ambassador to Switzerland!!).
Take a few days. Take a week if you have to. But that should be sufficient. Decide who you want to be the nominee NOW. For the good of the party. For the good of our country. For the health of our democracy. Let our Democratic voters know that we will have a nominee after the last ballot is cast in Montana and South Dakota. Not in Denver.