Bernie Sanders Supporters Thwarted In Attempt To Eliminate Superdelegates

Bernie Sanders supporters failed in their attempt to get rid of the superdelegate system on Saturday, although the Sanders and Clinton camps apparently reached a compromise for future presidential elections.

The Democratic Rules Committee, which is dominated by Hillary Clinton political operatives, blocked a Team Sanders attempt to abolish unbound superdelegates by a vote of 108-58.

“The Rules Committee subsequently voted down several other compromise amendments, including a measure to give superdelegates one-tenth of a vote each, ban lobbyists from being superdelegates, and bar superdelegates from voting on the convention’s first ballot,” the Hill explained about Saturday’s developments.

Bernie and his progressive backers have consistently argued that the role of superdelegates results in a rigged system that favors the establishment politician who controls the party apparatus over an anti-establishment or insurgent candidate. Sanders ultimately endorsed Clinton in a joint appearance in New Hampshire on July 12.

“That requirement falls in line with Sanders’ call for superdelegates to at least align their support with the results of state primaries and caucuses. Sanders’ team regard that as one of the biggest aspects of the commission,” Politico observed.

Dems reject effort to abolish superdelegates https://t.co/xXhUZIIB9m pic.twitter.com/gO06lhBt2W

— The Hill (@thehill) July 24, 2016

Earlier this month, Bernie Sanders supporters also fell short in their efforts to include an anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership amendment in the Democratic Party platform. Instead, the platform committee dominated by the Hillary Clinton campaign with an assist from labor unions approved an amendment about trade deal restrictions in general.

Although previously in favor, both Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine now say they are opposed to TPP.

In his contest against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Senator Sanders received the backing of just 48 superdelegates as opposed to Hillary Clinton’s commanding 602. “Without them, she would fall short of the 2,343 needed to nominate, though she would still have far more delegates than Sanders. The final tally, including superdelegates, was Clinton, 2,807, Sanders, 1,894,” McClatchy explained.

Sanders attempted, with no success, to flip some of the superdelegates to his corner.

BREAKING: Our outside group has been forcibly removed from the DNC! Registered and had delegates #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/Tbwvp0JAn3

— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) July 23, 2016

Under the compromise, the Democrats will set up a 21-member commission to study the primary process with a charge to submit a report by January 1, 2018. The Democratic National Committee would have to approve any changes in the process, however.

“The compromise came after a lengthy meeting in which Sanders supporters grew increasingly frustrated as their efforts on superdelegates were voted down… The amendments did win enough support to potentially move on to the convention floor for votes next week, though it was not clear that would happen,” the AP detailed.

The compromise — if ultimately enacted — appears to retain the clout of Democrat elected officials and other insiders and VIPs to vote for any presidential candidate they want to at the convention, but places restrictions on how the other estimated two-thirds of the superdelegates conduct their duties in the nomination process.

According to the Washington Post, the new rules language reads as follows.

“The Commission shall make specific recommendations providing that Members of Congress, Governors, and distinguished party leaders remain unpledged and free to support their nominee of choice, but that remaining unpledged delegates be required to cast their vote at the Convention for candidates in proportion to the vote received for each candidate in their state.”

Sanders’ campaign manager Jeff Weaver apparently has endorsed the compromise plan, Fox News and other media outlets indicated, which could avoid a divisive parliamentary fight over the issue on the convention floor this coming week.

An unnamed Clinton operative quoted by Politico was more cynical about whether the superdelegate reform plan would actually ever by implemented four years down the road.

“This goes nowhere unless President Clinton wants it to and you can get the votes of the full DNC. Pyrrhic victory for good people led by tools.”

“Let’s see if anything actually changes come 2020–especially in light of those damning leaked emails,” Townhall quipped in reference the Wikileaks #DNCLeaks email trove that appears to expose the party hierarchy’s attempt to undermine the Sanders campaign during the primary season. This revelation has caused the #BernieMustDisavow hashtag to trend on Twitter.

The Republicans, who just nominated Donald Trump as their presidential standard-bearer, do not have superdelegates at their nominating convention.

Thousands of Bernie-Or-Bust advocates are expected to descend upon Philadelphia this week for the DNC convention, where they presumably will make their feelings known about the entire nominating process, including the role of superdelegates.

[Photo by Andrew Harnik/AP Photo]