Governor Eliot Spitzer's Superdelegate Vote...

March 10, 2008 1:46 PM

NY Governor Eliot Spitzer's superdelegate vote: what happens to it if/when he resigns? Eliot "Client 9" Spitzer pledged his superdelegate vote for Clinton, but with his impending indictment, he may be forced to resign. What will happen to his vote? Is someone else selected (by the DNC, presumably) to take over the vote? Is the vote nullified?
posted by NYScott to law & government (7 comments total)

The Lt Governor, who would be replacing him if he resigns has already endorsed Clinton.

Assuming that the superdelegate voting seat follows he position, there's your answer.
posted by iamabot at 1:51 PM on March 10

Lt. Governor David Paterson would become governor and presumably be the holder of the vote. He has endorsed Hillary. However, he is African-American and said to be a less than enthusiastic supporter of her. Presumably he endorsed her because his boss did.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:53 PM on March 10

Ah, but Paterson is already an at-large superdelegate. So, if he becomes the governor of NY, and thus a gubernatorial superdelegate, it's possible that his current at-large position would go to someone else in the DNC. Mind you, I'd expect the party to choose a Clinton loyalist if it could.
posted by mumkin at 2:05 PM on March 10

Technically, whoever's the NY Gov has superdelegate status, so if Paterson succeeds Spitzer he gets Spitzer's vote.

As for his existing superdelegate status: if he decides to hold his position at the DNC, the number of superdelegates simply shrinks by one. If he relinquishes it, the DNC may appoint a new superdelegate. Dem Con Watch explains.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:11 PM on March 10

Or, what mumkin said.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:12 PM on March 10

Is the vote nullified?

I'm not sure I understand this part of the question- they haven't voted yet. spitzer may have supported Clinton, but super delegates are by definition "unpledged", and can change their endorsement, refuse to divulge, or support someone who's not even running.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:33 PM on March 10

However, he is African-American and said to be a less than enthusiastic supporter of her.

Is that because he's African-American or because he's smart? Please, let's dispense with this "all black people are supporting Obama just because he's black" stuff.

Here's a bit more on David Patterson from the Huffington Post.
posted by notjustfoxybrown at 3:43 PM on March 11