Should Political Parties Completely Eliminate Unelected Superdelegates from Conventions?
Analyze whether party establishment superdelegates prevent unelectable populist demagogues or corrupt democratic primary elections.
Pick a Side
Choose a position to defend, or let fate assign your stance.
Arguments FOR
1. Superdelegates fundamentally violate the core democratic principle of voter sovereignty
Allowing hundreds of unelected party insiders, lobbyists, and politicians to outweigh millions of grassroots primary votes is blatantly anti-democratic.
2. Creates the toxic, demoralizing perception that party primary elections are rigged
The 2016 Democratic primary caused immense cynicism when superdelegates endorsed establishment candidates before a single primary vote was cast.
3. Disproportionately favors entrenched political dynasties and corporate party elites
Superdelegates represent K Street lobbyists, former politicians, and wealthy donors who naturally align against anti-establishment reformers.
4. Grassroots primary voters alone should bear the sovereign responsibility of candidate selection
In a true democracy, parties must trust their registered voters rather than treating them like unruly children requiring elite supervision.
Arguments AGAINST
1. Vital institutional firewall against dangerous, authoritarian populist takeovers
Superdelegates were created in the 1980s specifically to stop charismatic, unelectable demagogues from hijacking party nominations.
2. Ensures elected governors and members of Congress have a stake in their party's ticket
Leaders who must campaign and govern alongside the presidential nominee should have a meaningful voice in party leadership decisions.
3. The Republican Party's lack of superdelegates allowed a complete hostile party takeover in 2016
Without establishment delegate checks, Donald Trump easily steamrolled a divided field of 16 establishment candidates with just 35% of early votes.
4. The Democratic Party already reformed rules in 2018 so superdelegates only vote on second ballots
Superdelegates can no longer vote on the decisive first ballot unless a candidate already secured a pledged delegate majority.
Counter Questions
Questions to challenge claims and probe deeper into trade-offs.
- Why did the Hunt Commission create superdelegates for the Democratic National Convention after the 1980 election?
- How did the 2018 DNC rule changes restrict superdelegates from voting on the first presidential nominating ballot?
- Would the Republican Party have nominated Donald Trump in 2016 if the RNC had possessed a system of superdelegates?
- Is a political party a private club with the legal right to choose its nominee however it wants, or a public democratic institution?
- Do superdelegates actually prevent unelectable candidates from winning nominations, or do they insulate out-of-touch party elites?
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