I don't represent people...

[Nightshade]

...so says a democrat "superdelegate."

@D_Born @BernieSanders Super delegates don't "represent people" I'm not elected by anyone. I'll do what I think is right for the country

— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) March 5, 2016

[Spidey]

If I told you I understood why primaries are set up like they are…I would be lying.

[Foil]

Wacky primary rules are intended to try to prevent bad situations, but they can just as often cause them or cause other issues.

Here's an example, done by a reputable analytical group: "Donald Trump would be easy to stop under Democratic rules"

[callmeslick]

right you are, Foil. The Dem rules were designed to prevent certain situations, which, frankly, I've never seen arise before. Generally, the vast bulk of the superdelegates follow the lead of the voters, but, as the article noted, it makes stopping someone like Trump easy, if the party leadership deems it is in the best interest of the party. Remember, when you hear people whine about, 'that isn't democratic' that the primary process was never really such. It is a party function. The General is another case, although it is potentially rigged via the Electoral College.

[Tunnelcat]

Hmm. Maybe the Republicans need to adopt those same Democratic rules in order to keep out someone like Trump next time. Too late now though. The Trump monster has been unleashed.

[Spidey]

Well, you have to keep in mind that delegates are not required by law* to vote for anybody, so the Republicans still have a way out, it’s just a little riskier.

* so to speak

[Tunnelcat]

Well, you have to keep in mind that delegates are not required by law* to vote for anybody, so the Republicans still have a way out, it’s just a little riskier.

* so to speak

The way "out" would probably start an outright revolt right now if woody's position on Trump is any indication.

[Spidey]

Yea, that's kinda the way things are headed.

[Tunnelcat]

Ya know, I'd love to watch a contested Republican Convention. It would make things very interesting for once.

[callmeslick]

I'm not as sure as I was even a week back that Cruz can make a real run. I certainly don't see Rubio going anywhere, nor Kasich. Trump may well be able to waltz to the nomination. I figure the GOP establishment will give him lip service, and pivot towards trying to save Senate seats. A couple recent polls suggest that they are very likely to lose the Senate.

[woodchip]

Polls also indicate Trump takes Ohio and Florida

[Nightshade]

Polls also indicate Trump takes Ohio and Florida

That much closer to a Hillary Clinton presidency.

[Tunnelcat]

I don't think that she's a shoe-in for the presidency NS. The polls say she is, but I think they're dead wrong. She doesn't excite the Dem base as much as Trump does the Repub base.

[callmeslick]

she also doesn't turn off a big chunk of her base to the extremes I am hearing from old Republican pals. In other words, I think the Dems would see more 'hold my nose' voters than the GOP, and the vast middle is apparently NOT willing to see Trump win, unless polls shift radically(60 percent negatives aren't just from Dems).