Nancy Pelosi = 88 superdelegates? (w/poll)

On Saturday, KCBS Radio in San Francisco had a story about Democratic National Convention super delegates.  

Willie Brown is the former California State Assembly speaker and mayor of San Francisco. Brown has been a convention delegate in the past, but he's not one this year.  Whatever you may think of Willie Brown (his detractors have been numerous and vehement in the past), he has keen political insight.  I and others think that the terms limits initiative that passed in California in 1990 was directed at Brown to get him out of the Assembly.

On the argument that super delegates should support the winner of the primary or caucus in their state, Brown was having none of it.  Independent (i.e., "decline to state") voters were able to vote in the California primary on Super Tuesday.  I have to paraphrase what Brown said because I was driving my car on the freeway at the time:

Why should a super delegate [in the California Democratic Party] necessarily be bound by what a bunch of independents have said?

What he said next is the key to a large chunk (24%) of uncommitted super delegates. More...

All Democratic members of Congress are super delegates.  At demconwatch, which is tracking all the super delegate endorsements, there are currently 88 members of the House of Representatives who are listed as uncommitted.  This includes the Congressional observer representatives from the District of Columbia and Guam.  It excludes seven people from Michigan and Florida delegations in Congress.

The KCBS reporter then quoted Brown by saying,

The members of Congress who have not endorsed either Obama or Clinton yet will vote for whoever the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, tells them to vote for.

So there it is.  The selection of our nominee may come down to the candidate who Nancy Pelosi supports.  The list of these uncommitted delegates follows.

Bud Cramer (AL)
Harry Mitchell (AZ)
Gabrielle Giffords (AZ)
Nancy Pelosi (CA)
Jerry McNerney (CA)
Pete Stark (CA)
Mike Honda (CA)
Sam Farr (CA)
Jim Costa (CA)
Lois Capps (CA)
Howard Berman (CA)
Henry Waxman (CA)
Bob Filner (CA)
Susan Davis (CA)
Mark Udall (CO)
John Salazar (CO)
Joe Courtney (CT)
Jim Marshall (GA)
John Barrow (GA)
Mazie Hirono (HI)
Dan Lipinski (IL)
Rahm Emanuel (IL)
Peter Visclosky (IN)
Joe Donnelly (IN)
Brad Ellsworth (IN)
Baron Hill (IN)
Rep. Bruce Braley (IA)
Nancy Boyda (KS)
Dennis Moore (KS)
Ben Chandler (KY)
William Jefferson (LA)
Charlie Melancon (LA)
Tom Allen (ME)
Rep. Michael Michaud (ME)
John Sarbanes (MD)
Steny Hoyer (MD)
Chris Van Hollen (MD)
John Olver (MA)
Niki Tsongas (MA)
John Tierney (MA)
Edward Markey (MA)
Collin Peterson (MN)
Gene Taylor (MS)
Ike Skelton (MO)
Rep. Rush Holt (NJ)
Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC)
Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC)
Rep. Brad Miller (NC)
Rep. David Price (NC)
Rep. Heath Shuler (NC)
Rep. Mel Watt (NC)
Rep. Tom Udall (NM)
Charlie Wilson (OH)
Marcia Kaptur (OH)
Betty Sutton (OH)
Tim Ryan (OH)
Rep. Zack Space (OH)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH)
David Wu (OR)
Peter DeFazio (OR)
Bob Brady (PA)
Jason Altmire (PA)
Chris Carney (PA)
John Murtha (PA)
Tim Holden (PA)
Rep. Mike Doyle (PA)
John Spratt (SC)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC)
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD)
Rep. Dan Boren (OK)
Lincoln Davis (TN)
Bart Gordon (TN)
John Tanner (TN)
Chet Edwards (TX)
Nick Lampson (TX)
Ciro Rodriguez (TX)
Lloyd Doggett (TX)
Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (TX)
Jim Matheson (UT)
Rick Larsen (WA)
Brian Baird (WA)
Jim McDermott (WA)
Alan Mollohan (WV)
Nick Rahall (WV)
Ron Kind (WI)
Steve Kagen (WI)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Madeleine Bordallo (Guam)

Disclosure: I support Barack Obama for president.

•  tip jar

  if you wish

  by Jeff in CA on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:34:49 AM PDT

•  Your poll needs another choice

  Uncommitted superdelegate should support whoever leads in delegates!  In other words, the superdelegates should not alter the overall trajectory and results of the primaries and caucuses.

  by rf7777 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:39:00 AM PDT

  •  Ack!! You are right. n/t

    by Jeff in CA on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:51:36 AM PDT

•  You forgot: whoever has more pledged delegates

  period.

  by DemocraticLuntz on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:39:18 AM PDT

  •  Even if their state's popular vote

    went another way?

    I honestly don't know what each SD "should" do.  So many factors come into play and there are still so many unknowns.  It's like, chaos theory, or something.

    Let's give it til the end of March, at least, shall we?  

    by lgmcp on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:43:46 AM PDT

    •  I don't think it should even matter

      where the superdelegate's home happens to be.  They should go with the candidate that is winning globally in delegates [period]

      by rf7777 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:49:31 AM PDT

      •  That'd be a tough sell for SD's who are sitting

        currently, as elected officials, and hoping for re-election.  "All politics are local" seems to apply here.  But the non-sitting ones, I like your idea.

        by lgmcp on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:51:00 AM PDT

        •  They best not upset their core supporters if ...

          they want to be re-elected.  Respect the will of the majority of voters in their districts IMHO.

          by CAL11 voter on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:55:19 AM PDT

•  If party discipline was that tight

  we wouldn't have seen the many debacles of the past year. Pelosi might sway, I'm guessing, like 1/3 of that group, and the other 2/3 would be swayed by a variety of other things, as reflected in your poll choices.

  I have been having a hard time understanding or keeping up with the various ways of tallying a running delegate total for BHO and HRC in this really very close race. But when I searched on "delegate tracker", I found plenty of tool!  Of course each will have its own biases and assumptions, but it's better than I can do on my own.

  Here's the top o' the list:
  2008 Democratic Convention Watch

  Neck and neck, basically.  Too close to call!

  by lgmcp on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:40:12 AM PDT

  •  I agree with you

    I don't see that level of party discipline

    Funny McCain Pics archive updated regularly

    by InsultComicDog on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:41:40 AM PDT

    •  Just from what I know of the Ohio supers

      listed above as uncommitted, there is no way they are going to give one iota's consideration to who Nancy Pelosi wants for the nominee.  They'll get an earful from their constituents leading up to the convention, and Pelosi will be the last thing on their minds.

      And as for Willie Brown's swipe at independents who made the effort to go to the polls, those people voted for a democratic candidate.  Their votes count just as much as registered democrats.  That's why you should care about "what a bunch of independent voters said."

      by Rick Winrod on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:00:50 AM PDT

      •  I think

        a number of these superdelegates will be looking out for (a) their own personal interests; (b) special interests they are beholden to; (c) local constituent interests (patronage).

        Their vote has value and they might not be giving it up "just to do what is right", whatever you or I may perceive that to be.

        Deals will be made, and are being made, and I think it is naive to think otherwise.

        Funny McCain Pics archive updated regularly

        by InsultComicDog on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:34:00 AM PDT

    •  I can't see Eleanor Holmes Norton

      allowing Nancy to tell her how to vote.

      by madgranny on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:19:37 AM PDT

      •  Apparently

        Allyson Schwartz, who represents my district, endorsed Hillary a long time ago.

        I can't say I'm surprised to learn that.

        Funny McCain Pics archive updated regularly

        by InsultComicDog on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:30:47 AM PDT

•  This is actually good for Obama

  1. George Miller's endorsement was taken by some as a hat tip by Pelosi.

  2. If there's some blow-up in the party because of a delegate skirmish, her power and influence will be one of the first casualties.  She has strong incentives to maintain party unity, e.g. not buck the popular vote.

  by poblano on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:41:17 AM PDT

  •  Not just George Miller

    Also Anna Eshoo, Rosa DeLauro, and Zoe Logfren - all considered part of Pelosi's inner circle. They have all endorsed Obama. Murtha is the only one close to Pelosi who has not endorsed anyone.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

    by democrattotheend on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:50:25 AM PDT

•  I Don't See Any Reason to Actually Believe This

  Some nobody former mayor is quoted and you sum it up with, "There you have it."

  This is Fox quality journalism.

  by TooFolkGR on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:44:55 AM PDT

  •  Alas, that was supposed to be snarky. My bad.

    By the way, Willie Brown was the most powerful politician in California for well over a decade.  He is not a "nobody."

    by Jeff in CA on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:55:06 AM PDT

  •  heh. Willie Brown isn't a nobody

    by any stretch of the imagination.  I'm not endorsing what the diarist is saying, but Mr. Brown has a lot of chits out there.

    by ksh01 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:56:03 AM PDT

    •  brown is still a player here in sf

      and still a player at the state level.  can't take away from the man his power or his legacy (the most powerful black politician in california's history).

      and the former mayor is a very close friend of the speaker's.  very close.

      _______________

      it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

      -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

      by dadanation on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:02:42 AM PDT

      •  I forgot about his relationship with Pelosi

        didn't know you were in sf....haven't we had gorgeous weather this weekend and today?  

        by ksh01 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:52:15 AM PDT

        •  sadly i have been sick as a dog the past few days

          i was lucky to get to be an extra for the filming of several scenes for "Milk" last week, but when i got home saturday morning (the friday night shoot went from 4 pm that day until 6 am the next morning) i was feeling like death on toast.  wednesday night's shoot was FREEZING so somewhere between those two nights, i caught the bug.

          and from what i understand i missed two perfect days here.  just my luck.

          where in the city are you?

          _______________

          it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

          -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

          by dadanation on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:13:18 AM PDT

          •  Glen Park, but I've lived all

            over before settling here...Nobberloin, Duboce Triangle, the Mission, northern Richmond and now here.  For good I think.

            My little ones have been sick (one had tonsils/adenoids out on super tuesday) and their doctor's office said they had to close down Urgent Care yesterday at 1:00 p.m., they were overrun with kids with stomach flu, headcolds, and ear infections.

            If so many kids have it, lots of adults must as well.

            Lucky for you on the extra for Milk.  I can't wait to see how they portray Feinstein.  What part of the city are you in?

            On Saturday it was 76 degrees. Dang, I'm rambling...you can tell I've been shut up with sick four year olds for a week.

            by ksh01 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:22:14 AM PDT

            •  right by dolores park

              i have no idea who is going to be DiFi but i can say that while a bit shorter, sean penn LOOKED LIKE harvey.  and the actor playing cleve jones is a good call as well as several others (esp the guy playing harry britt).

              i saw some footage of josh brolin as dan white.  it was so creepy how much he looked like and acted like that man.  creepy.

              you've been penned with 4 year olds and i've been penned up with me.  not sure who got the better of the deal but i completely understand the feeling of cabin fever!

              btw, your super tuesday diary was a great read!

              _______________

              it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

              -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

              by dadanation on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:27:54 AM PDT

              •  hey thanks.

                Harry still runs for things now and then.

                The dolores park area is one of the best to live in.  My best friend used to live on Oakdale between 18 and 19th.  Before I had kids we'd go get a couple of bottles at Bi-Rite and a banquet of their prepared food, rent a movie at...was it Felicia's on 18th? and maybe, if we had enough wine, hit zeitgeist and the 500 club.

                ah youth. Not that long ago, actually.  Hope you get better soon enough to get some sun.

                by ksh01 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 11:42:55 AM PDT

                •  yes, harry does occassionally run for things...

                  i met so many kids (i am a mere 44 years old) when the filming was going on who had not even the slightest idea who ust about anyone in the movie was.  i mean kids.  born in the early 1980s.

                  i moved back to california right before dan white killed himself (in 85) so while i know - because of what i did professionally -- many of the players portrayed in the movie (cleve, harry, difi, etc.) i never met harvey.

                  but to get asked questions like "what was the castro like back then...?" and "do you know who dick pabich was...?" really knocked me for a loop.

                  harvey's story is really critical.  i hope that gus van sant gets it.

                  and i heart my neighborhood. big time.  for the 23 years i have lived here i have never lived more than 4 full blocks from castro and 18th.

                  you mentioned zeitgeist.  well, i miss the i-beam and the trocadero and pleasuredome...

                  _______________

                  it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

                  -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

                  by dadanation on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:35:24 PM PDT

                  •  Isn't that funny, so close, but so far

                    Only the Trocadero rang any bells for me...14 years in San Francisco and the Castro has only meant Halloween, Cliff's Variety, a couple of great film festivals, and cheap fresh coffee at that little store next to the theater.  

                    Isn't it strange how both youth and, hmm, non-youth are long periods of time separated by a quick and violent realization?  Like those realizations you get talking to anyone born in the 1980s.

                    by ksh01 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 12:52:01 PM PDT

                    •  that coffee shop still serves great java

                      and the castro theater is looking swell now that the movie folks touched it up for the filming!

                      sadly, as you know, halloween, once a venerated high holy day for my peoples, has become a farce, violent and out of control.  

                      i used to love halloween in the castro until people took to using my garden as a public urinal.  that and the gun shots that wounded folks a few years ago.

                      i used to think "you are as young as you feel" was true. not any more.  i now believe you are only as young as the youngest person around you.  and even then, depending on when they were born, you may think yourself young, but boy howdee the cold harsh feeling of truth can be really debilitating.

                      _______________

                      it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

                      -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

                      by dadanation on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 03:18:45 PM PDT

•  Have they all said that?

  That they will take their cue from Pelosi?

  by democrattotheend on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:45:06 AM PDT

•  They will vote for the candidate that will most..

  help them in November - if they have any sense.

  by CAL11 voter on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:48:25 AM PDT

•  Lots of Pelosi's allies have endorsed Obama

  I don't think all of the remaining House Dems will take their cue from Pelosi, but if we want to try to figure out her preference, it is telling that a few members of her inner circle, including George Miller, Rosa DeLauro, Zoe Logfren, and Anna Eshoo, have endorsed Obama.

  More about Pelosi's inner circle: http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

  Congressional endorsements:
  http://thehill.com/...

  by democrattotheend on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:49:13 AM PDT

•  Nancy is an Obama supporter

  At the SOTU her guests were Gov. Tim Kaine, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Baltimore Mayor, Sheila Dixon, all Obama endorsers.

  by Todd Smyth on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:49:47 AM PDT

  •  I think you are right

    Obama has also been endorsed by Reps. George Miller, Anna Eshoo, Zoe Logfren, and Rosa DeLauro, all of whom are close to Pelosi.

    by democrattotheend on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:51:13 AM PDT

    •  And this is why my wife and I love...

      living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

      by Templar on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:08:08 AM PDT

      •  But Pelosi has a v4gina!

        It would be teh ultimate ber4yal to teh v4gina!

        by nanobubble on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:33:52 AM PDT

        •  seriously unnecessary n/t

          by flagpole on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 10:11:21 AM PDT

•  They'll do 88 different things

  For any variety and/or combination of reasons.  Some with vote their conscience, some will reflect the will of voters in their districts, some in their states, etc., etc.  These are Democrats, not Republicans.  They don't say "How high?" just because their almighty leader said "Jump!"

  by Jon Stafford on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:53:46 AM PDT

•  None of the above

  I hate the super delegate system.  It just seems undemocratic.  The super delegates should fall in line behind whomever the voters choose.  Whoever comes into the convention with a majority of pledged delegates should be endorsed by the super delegates.

  by ganner918 on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:20:49 AM PDT

  •  That is what I think too

    I regret not thinking to include it as a response in the poll.

    by Jeff in CA on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:22:31 AM PDT

•  What does their vote have to do w/ state?

  If superdelegates should just do what their state did, then they have no voice, and their state should have more delegates.

  Binding superDs to their state's choice is asinine. They should do whatever they want. Isn't that why they have a separate vote in the fucking first place?

  by nanobubble on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 09:32:26 AM PDT