Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Citizen Voices

Defining Winning

As I write this I don't yet know who won the Democratic Party's primary in Pennsylvania.  Part of that is because the voting is still going on, part of that is because 'winning' seems to be very loosely defined, and part of it is because these primaries have dragged on too long.

Now that basic mathematics has ruled out conventional definitions of winning, winning is being redefined.  According to some, winning is no longer simply receiving the most votes cast.

Alma from San Diego
April 23, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I love this question you ask: "So, what if a particular candidate gets the most votes cast, and beats the predicted spread, and even shows momentum, but in the process reveals an incredibly dark and self-centered side of herself?" I think that dark side is exactly where the candidates stand now. It's been a long race, it's getting uglier, and after the numbers in Pennsylvania were tallied, neither the momentum nor the winner was clear. This thing is going to be decided in Denver. Before getting there though, it looks like the negativity of both Dems will get expressed like a giant boil. Politics doesn't get more "as-usual" than this.

Advertisement

Trina from Carlsbad
April 24, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I'm curious...how do you San Diego Democrats feel about the Super Delegates? I mean, after all of you walk into your polling booths and carefully make your choice, the candidate for your party will ultimately be decided by a small group of people with that all-powerful title of Super Delegate. I think I would be completed ticked off.

Chuck from Escondido, CA
April 24, 2008 at 08:43 PM
I know Trina's comment is not directed at me, because I'm certainly not a Democrat, but wouldn't it be kind of naive to think that a small group of people with good connections and big checkbooks haven't already drastically limited our choices, regardless of party affiliations? Label the deciders what you want, but there's really no chance for any candidate that hasn't been vetted by the establishment. And yes, everybody should be completely ticked off. On an unrelated note, if your title includes "Super", should you have to wear the matching tights? That would make the convention interesting.

Chris
April 25, 2008 at 03:17 PM
The logic behind Superdelegates takes the controversial logic behind the electoral college - a bridle on unrestrained democracy - to a level that feels repulsive. And it's not just on the national level. The Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in each of our neighborhoods have elected boards that make decisions that impact our day to day lives. The business owners who vote for members of these boards have weighted votes - a hotel owner's vote counts for more than a hardware store owner's vote. Big $ money interest can and do load these boards with "their" candidates. So, Trina - I'd be curious if this is the case in your neighborhood like it is in La Jolla.

johnny from XyNRbMYOe
May 11, 2008 at 03:39 PM
hello, fiancee visa islam france united states 9982, business credit scores :PP, Best Home Equity Loan Rate 87278, discover card login agnp, free transunion annual credit report lxh,

Advertisement

bluffi from xXASCfsBrnIpmt
May 11, 2008 at 07:53 PM
good site, best online mba 93598, 401k fidelity investment risk :-DD, annuity calculation sce, 401k fidelity fund mutual netbenefits 65611, mlm business leads ouen,

barbara from TioXWbVKvkoxFFE
May 11, 2008 at 09:15 PM
good site, geico health insurance erhbl, 401k rollover finance small business ymka, cox mba =DDD, currency forex forex online trading qlff, forex loan online trading vhqb,

Ann Boutelle from San Diego
May 18, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Loved Chuck's interjection, "I’m certainly not a Democrat, but..." Superdelegates - is this our first experience with this new group of potentially bought and paid for electors? Or have I just been too depressed to notice? From what I hear pundits saying, and on occassion, what a real-live Super Delegate says, they will follow the "will of the majority" and vote the way most of their area's folks do - that they will not throw weight behind someone for personal interest. Darn - that would be rather refreshing. Especially for us Democrats since the GOP has done such a horrifically bad job in their majority rule for the majority of Americans. We get to wait and see.