Superdelegates - Choosing our President

With the whole country and much of the world wondering about the US’s next occupant of the oval office, everyone’s curiosity is peaked about who will be next. After the election in 2000 and the let down to the county of George W. Bush becoming president while the popular vote actually went to Al Gore, we all must wonder how the shining example of a democratic society, which should be more fair… does not actually elect and therefore does not reflect the wishes of it’s citizens.

The Electoral College is the real elector of the President of the United States of America. With many states primaries already finished, the election dangles in the hands of the so-called, “super-delegates.” We hear about them on the news every night, and hear that our nation’s future leadership lies in their hands. So I’m wondering… Who and what are the super-delegates? Why is the decision in their hands versus the hands of the citizens of the United States?

Each party has delegate’s selected based on party primaries and caucuses in each U.S. state, these delegates account for a portion of the Electoral College. Super delegates are selected automatically, based on their status as current or former party leaders and elected officials, while others can be chosen during the primary season. The super delegates are able to support any candidate they choose.

So it seems that the powers-that-be feel that those in leading government positions should have more influence over the next leader of our country. I’m not sure I agree completely, but it does make sense to hope that those with vast experience in leadership situations will help to chose the candidate that holds the most promise… assuming the candidates they select don’t follow in their clumsy footsteps.