Okay Don't laugh and roll your eyes at me and my airyness, but I really don't get what Superdelegates & Electoral Votes are. Here are my questions:
1. Can anyone tell me why do we vote if the Electoral Votes are what really decide the election?
2. How do the Superdelegates & Electoral Vote people get elected?
3. What is the National Democratic Party Convention? Do the Republicans have one? What is decided there?
3. Does anyone else agree that throughout history every Presidential Office has had its problems? No matter the party. It causes unnecessary strife to constantly attack the other party and say "If our person where in office this would have never happened?"
4. If the parties could learn to work together more problems would be solved. Does anyone else agree?
5. Why do people attack in these types of conversations? I am posting this because I am afraid to ask acquaintances these questions because it is a HOT button. My family is suffering because of the economy too, but I would never attack the way some people I know have when I bring up this darn election!
Thanks for your time and answers Moms. I really would like to be more informed on this subject and will have more questions later. I know this isn't a political forom, but when you go to those sites they are always very anti-one party and so I don't really get answers. Just one-sided views.
Thanks again.
bookworm_mom ~ mommy of twins
These are great questions.
These are great questions. Here is what I UNDERSTAND the answers to your questions to be. They are good questions, but not easy!!!! Please forgive me if I provide more info. then you need.
I think you are confusing some of the processes of the Primary Elections (to determine the candidates who will represent each party) and the General Election (which determines who will be THE winner.)
1) In the General Election (after the winners of the primaries are determined), the candidate who wins the popular vote (exact number of votes cast) in each state gets all that states Electoral Votes. Because we live in a Republic, not a Democracy, the number of electoral votes is weighted by population of the state. Big/populus states get more votes. While this usually means the candidate with the most popular votes will win the election, it doesn't always. 2000 election for example
2) Superdelegates are for the Democratic Party Nominating Convention which will be held after the primaries, and before the general elections to officially nominate the candiate who will run in the General Election. (I don't think Republicans have superdelegates.) Superdelegates are made up of Democratic Governors, Democratic US Congress Members and various others, like Madeline Albright, ex-Secretary of State, but I am not sure. During the primaries in the Democratic Races, delegates are awarded based on the percent of votes a candidate received. If you won 60% of the vote, you are supposed to get 60% of the delegates. Now, the SUPERDELEGATES were formed to SAVE a race should a candidate have some sort of scandal or illness or ??? between the primaries and the convention. If they found out Kerry had an illegitamite child with an alien, superdelegates could have voted for Edwards instead, putting Edwards over the top to be the Dem Candidate and not allowing a scandal ridden candidate to be THE nominee.
Now Electoral Voters are for the General Election and I think Electoral Voter are elected by their party members and should their party win their state they have a moral obligation to cast their vote for the winner (if in their party). Now I think each party has a slate of electors, but they only get to vote if their guy/gal wins. So, I think if McCain wins, the slate of Dem. electoral voters don't get to do anything. (I am not 100% sure on this, but I was too lazy to google to double check.)
Both Democrats and Republicans have Party Conventions where they formally elect the candidate that will be THE Candidate of the party. Now adays they call McCain "the presumptive nominee", he has enough delegates to win the nomination BUT he has not yet recieved the official approval since the convention hasn't happened and official delegates haven't voted yet.
I think being the President is an amazing complex job that no one can do and make everyone happy. What you may see as a problem, others may see as the greatest policy ever, so yes, every President has had his problems.
Politics are interesting. I am amazed that more Moms on this site don't talk about them. Good for you for being interested in the crazy process, it is what makes the US great!
Phew...hope this helps! Other Moms, what did I miss?
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
Great job, Lovemy4. I am
Great job, Lovemy4. I am definitely guilty of not paying enough attention to politics. I am turned off by party politics and the party line, where it seems so hard for our country's leaders to find common ground and work together. I don't feel I identify firmly with one party over another. There has to be more people our there like me. I think the independents could make some headway nationally if they had the right mainstream candidate (this is from a woman whose home state elected Jesse "The Body" Ventura governor. I think people desperately wanted something different, and America will get there, too.)
Great questions!
GopherGirl is a discussion follower. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and two boys, ages 4 and 2.
I agree there are lots of
I agree there are lots of people who are sick of BOTH parties, whose only goal seems to be 'winning' and this is done by 'hurting' the other party. Unfortunately, what's good for the country doesn't factor into the equation.
RE: the Superdelegates and the Dems' current 'proportional' awarding of delegates --- I doubt we'll be seeing this system again! It's been a complete train wreck and I'm sure it will be retooled it for next time!
Well lovemy4 you definitely
Well lovemy4 you definitely answered my questions and without talking down to me and making me feel stupid! Thank you, but the answer you gave me was so informative I am going to have to read it again to really understand it. That's not your fault; I just never realized elections were so complex. I'm sure once I've got it, I'll have it completely and be able to have an informative conversation with others and not feel inferior. But first I need my coffee drink!
I agree with the other moms as well, there is so much attacking I really feel it is hurting "The People" more than helping and I really hope change is on the horizon.
With that said I will keep reading your post and asking other questions as they come.
Thanks again, I know other people will read your post and learn as well! What a great place to live, to be able to have these conversations.
bookworm_mom ~ mommy of twins
Moladybug, I LOVE politics,
Moladybug, I LOVE politics, so it makes me excited that you and others are showing interest. We need to be involved or those who are (usually company lobbiests) have the loudest voice. So, ask away.
Also, I will admit, I ran my answers by my husband just to make sure I wasn't mixed up. We put our heads together and this is our best understanding of a REALLY confusing process. So, DO NOT feel bad if it takes time to understand. I love this stuff and I am still confused!
Keep asking questions and be skeptical, while I think we are telling you accurately, I can't guarantee it!
Keep learning - how awesome!
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.