Super Delegates: About 800 elected officials and "party leaders" have a huge influence over who our nominee will be. If current trends continue, they may even have the power to override the decision of primary voters and caucus attendees.
This is the way it’s supposed to be. The theory is that these Seasoned Political Professionals will have the wisdom to prevent us crazy voters from making a dumb mistake.
But let’s keep them in line. Hence, a proposal: Make Super Delegates vote by secret ballot.
More follows...
If you look at the list of Super Delegates, you see people who Know How To Win Elections: Sitting Senators and Governors. Past Presidents. It’s good to have their input, and we'd be crazy not to give them a special place in the process.
But we need to make them vote in secret.
Why?
- First, to prevent back-room deals and quid-pro-quos. If the ballot is secret, it is more difficult to buy or trade.
- Second, it will promote party unity, as Super Delegates will no longer be forced to declare for one candidate and risk alienating the supporters of another.
If we believe that these Super Delegates possess special insight into American Politics that justifies giving them more power than ordinary Democrats, fine. But let’s make sure that the system captures that knowledge...and doesn’t give them a tool to tie down a future President with deals and promises of favors, or force them to possibly alienate half of the party.
Secret ballots for Super Delegates will ensure we get the benefit of Knowledge and Experience...but keep a lid on the Drama.