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DEL.ICIO.USOver the weekend: Franklin loses her ‘super’ status at exactly the wrong time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the weekend, Shannon McCaffery with the Associated Press made this excellent point:
Shirley Franklin’s tenure as president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors expired at a bad time for presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
The Atlanta mayor stepped down as head of the group just two weeks ago after a year at the helm. She lost not only her title, but her status as a Democratic Party superdelegate, which comes with special privileges to cast a ballot at the party’s national convention this summer.
Franklin, an Obama supporter, handed the baton to Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline, who’s backing his rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
It’s unlikely that the race for the White House will come down to a single vote. But the superdelegates could become critical if the race between Clinton and Obama remains a virtual dead heat.
If neither candidate receives enough delegates to claim the nomination, the superdelegates would end up selecting the winner.
Obama trounced Clinton in Georgia with 66 percent of the vote on Super Tuesday. Clinton leads the national race for superdelegates. A survey by The Associated Press found that she is outpacing Obama in Georgia as well, winning support from five of the state’s 13 superdelegates. Only two are backing Obama. The other seven are publicly uncommitted, including former President Jimmy Carter.
Clinton’s superdelegates are U.S. Reps. John Lewis and David Scott, both of Atlanta, along with state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. Carole Dabbs, an aide for former Sen. Max Cleland, is also behind Clinton. So is former electricians union leader Lonnie Plott.
U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson of Lithonia and Sanford Bishop of Albany are supporting Obama.
U.S. Reps. John Barrow, of Savannah, and Jim Marshall, of Macon, remain uncommitted and both said through spokespeople that they have no plans to endorse. State Democratic Party chairwoman Jane Kidd and longtime party activist Mary Long are also officially neutral.
Comments
By Mike K.
February 10, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
As an independent who voted for Barak in the primary, I’ll be pretty disappointed if he ends up with more pledged delegates and the superdelegates put Hillary over the top. Disappointed enough to take a serious look at McCain (as long as Huckabee isn’t his VP).
I understand that they can vote how they please, but to vote the opposite of your district (John Lewis) is a slap in the face to your constituents.
By Ira Not
February 10, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Ira Magaziner is an influential figure at Brown University. Brown University is a huge player in business and politics in Providence, RI. Ira Magaziner graduated from Brown and is one of the most cherished alumni of the university. He has helped strengthen the connections between the Clintons and Brown over the years. No surprise that Cicilline is supporting Hillary.
By Will Jones
February 10, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Hillary and McCain are Rome’s candidates. The NYTimes has an excellent article about it: “Catholic Vote Is Harbinger of Success for Clinton”.
It’s good to finally see the line so bright between Clinton and Obama(our only good choice…the true and anointed heir of the Bush-killed JFK). Reagan, the Bushes, and Clinton were all serving Rome’s Fifth Column.
MSM is talking about the “Hispanic” vote because they don’t wish to alert the majority, yet non-Roman Catholic, as to just who wants to support Bush’s false war, illegal immigration, and BIG OIL…which is Roman Catholic…under Vatican-banker Rockefeller and the CFR.
Talk to friends and relatives in OH and TX: Obama must be elected. He’s a lock in VA, and DC, MD if it isn’t as RC as it used to be.
By Denise
February 11, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
I live in Atlanta, Georgia, but lived in Dallas, Texas for 25 years. On Super Tuesday, my vote went to Barak Obama — hands down. I’m talking to my wide network of friends, family, colleagues and community organizers in Texas about the absolute need to support and VOTE for Barak Obama on 3/4. Fortunately, I have done and continue to do my research and can intelligently inform the critical need for backing Obama to my close network. Among various reasons, one is that Obama understands that “unification” is the key for getting things done. Clinton is the typical politician - status quo - and very divisive. That’s not very promising for this nation. Too many people DON’T like her. She’ll never win the general election. Rush Limbaugh, who cannot stand Hillary Clinton, is already advising the Republicans to contribute funds to Hillary Clinton’s shaky campaign to help her be the Democratic nominee. Ridiculous, huh? Well, we never know how far people will go to win. The Republicans want Clinton because they know they can beat her. We need Obama. If the superdelegates decide who the Democratic nominee is and it’s Hillary Clinton, the Democrats can kiss moving into the White House “good bye”. I will NEVER vote for Hillary Clinton. I will vote uncommitted before I sell out to the Clintons. I don’t condone the way she and former President Bill Clinton ran her scrupulous campaign. There are too many Clinton campaign problems for me to list tonight, but let’s just say — Obama won 4 states and the US Virgin Islands by a wide margin all weekend for a reason. You can count on me to continue spreading the word to VOTE FOR OBAMA —- especially in my home state of Texas . In support of CHANGE (Obama ‘08), Denise.
By Bitter EX democrackkk
February 11, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this
Do the Republicans have ‘super delagates’ ? Is this a new way for democrackkks to wield power? How did democrackkks EVER get to be SOooo racist and corrupt?
By GodHatesTrash
February 11, 2008 6:20 AM | Link to this
EX democrackkk is a Lester Maddox Democrat.
Pure Georgia trash.
By Will Jones
February 11, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - the technically correct name of our smallest state - is 99% Roman Catholic and completely run by their Mafia from Liberty Hill to City Hall.
Obama sings the song of America…Rome’s greatest threat.
Come out of Babylon fellow citizens. Leave the pedophile priesthood, false aristocracy and Mafia behind.
Vote Obama and become true Americans.
By kreedham
February 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Mike K is right. How can John Lewis and David Scott still back Hillary when their districts supported Obama. Well they’ll stick with Hillary as long as she has a chance. Once it’s clear that Obama is on the way to the nomination then they’ll jump ship to him.
I only hope that if Obama gets the nomination he won’t pick Hillary as his VP. Plenty of good choices for him that don’t have her negatives.
By Will Jones
February 11, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Edwards is a starting point for Obama’s search for an acceptable running mate. The prospect of a truly Elect President in Barack’s case should raise our expectations that, by grace, perhaps, we can do even better…but never Hillary.
By Mike K.
February 11, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
kreedham,
I can’t imagine Barak choosing Hillary just because she mobilizes the Right. This is a bit off the base, but what if Colon Powell was interested?
By can'tsay
February 11, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Shirley Franklin still has a chance to cast her vote for Obama. Mayor Franklin is too intelligent not to know what opportunities she has available to her. She can be a PLEO.