PA Democratic Superdelegate Movement: Clinton Rules As More Commit

For the following, thanks go to Josh at The Morning Call, and his western compatriots at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

There’s been some PA Democratic super-delegate shuffling, with Hillary adding a couple, losing one to undecided, and Obama adding one.  In the end, though, Ms. Clinton still dominates the field 13 to 3.  As always, this is the page with the running count for both the Democratic superdelegates, and the GOP delegation candidates.

The one Obama added was, according to the Inky, Philadelphia Councilwoman and DNC member Carole Ann Campbell.  Here she is with Bill in happier times for the Clintons:

She chatted with Michelle Obama for about 90 minutes, and apparently agreed that nothing much has happened in America over the last twenty years inspiring pride of country.  At least of this country.

Clinton Underfiled Her Pledged PA Delegates

Pennsylvania political guru and my rabbi on matters procedural, Terry Madonna, indirectly pointed out an article to me on how badly the Clinton campaign is scrambling here in Pennsylvania.

This piece indicates the recent petition extension by Ed Rendell had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the Clinton campaign’s incompetence.

Last week all primary petitions were due in Pennsylvania.  The weather was iffy in spots, but I drive a hinky Saab with 120k miles on it with only one headlight, and I managed to get my petitions in on time.

The Clinton campaign, though, did not manage to get a full slate of their pledged delegate petitions in on time.  Clinton supporter and Governor Ed Rendell gifted them a deadline extension, and they still ended up 10% short.

This does not affect the math any, as party rules indicate they will still get whatever is their due.  Still…Clinton has staked her campaign on success in Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  And this is the best they can muster?  Was everyone huddling on how best to manufacture specious plagiarism charges on Obama?

In the PA GOP presidential primary, delegate candidates are not attached to anyone, and have to run around under their own steam to get necessary signatures for their petitions.  Almost as many signatures as a representative in the General Assembly has to get!

The GOP overfiled by over 300% with over 190 delegates for 62 slots.  Clinton underfiled– after an extension– by 10%.

To steal Terry’s quip, maybe Hillary could borrow some of the GOP’s delegates.

Another PA GOP Loophole: Alternate Delegates

Continuing on my research to be found here on who is running to be an uncommitted PA GOP delegate to the national convention, and how he or she intends to dispose of their responsibilities there, yet another loophole of sorts in the process was pointed out to me.

You’ll note this year there are over 200 about 190 people running to be delegates to the GOP convention from Pennsylvania.  I’m no student of this insane apparatus, but that seems like an awful lot to me.

What I didn’t think of was this:  Some of them may get elected, but be unable to find the $4000 or so necessary to actually attend.  If that happens, an alternate takes the slot.  And that’s an additional dozens of people to keep track of!

So not only are voters expected to know how the delegates are inclined to dispose themselves at the convention, but they are expected to know how potential alternates will as well.

Luckily, I have learned the state GOP is beginning to coordinate an effort to record all this information.  So I have help, apparently, and intend to join in their effort.  The results, I hope, will be published at the link above.

The state GOP, of course, is interested in ensuring endorsed candidates win.  Which is fine.  The whole western part of the Commonwealth, though, does not do endorsements.  Or at least has not up until this point.  How the state party, then, intends to promote some candidates over others out in that neck of the woods remains a mystery to me.

Seriously.  Does anyone think this is a good system?

Al Gore, Democratic Nominee of the United States…

…brought to you by the invaluable John Derbyshire.