The longest, strangest electoral race in American history has managed to fashion another twist by putting big ol' red Texas in the center of the blue storm. Texas' 35 superdelegates could have a major role in choosing the Democratic nominee after our primary on March 4. Superdelegates are a unique group composed of congressmen and other party leaders who aren't committed to voting for the candidate their state or district supports; they are free agents in the nomination process. And as the crevice between the Obama and Clinton campaigns becomes so narrow that they could hold hands across it, the wild cards will play the most crucial - and unpredictable - role.
Currently, Clinton hangs a mere 27 delegates over Obama's head. But she seems to have some Texas superdelegates under an early spell. According to the Austin American-Statesman, 11 of Texas' superdelegates had endorsed Hillary Clinton as of Feb. 7. It's no secret that Clinton has long, storied ties to Texas - her relationship with the state goes back to 1972, when she went to South Texas to campaign for George McGovern. Obama, on the other hand, has largely (and understandably) focused his energy elsewhere. Thus, Clinton has assumed quite a faithful following in our state in the past 36 years.
But that may be about to change. Both candidates are presently in Texas and have upcoming debates planned in both Houston and Austin. The remaining superdelegates who have not yet committed publicly to a candidate are ready to be swayed. Clinton is upping her ante, and Obama is putting his focus on the Lone Star State.
This is the best part of the electoral process - the live song-and-dance number that will hopefully be moving enough to really change people's minds. But the power of the premise of the superdelegates is put in question when the party leaders pre-endorse candidates. In an election that is boiling down to basal emotions, we should trust these party leaders to be indecisive. We want them to vote with full consideration of the reality of each candidate - not just their pre-established loyalties.
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