An open letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Office of the Speaker

H-232, US Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madame Speaker,

As Americans, we have been heartened by the overwhelming response that our fellow citizens have shown for candidates during this primary season. Each caucus and each primary has seen a record turnout of voters. But this turbulent primary season must come to an end. While several states and millions of voters have not yet cast their votes, the outcome is all but statistically certain. And personal pride drags this out unnecessarily, a nation will suffer four more years of failed policies and an historic opportunity will have been missed.

We respect those voters and believe that they, like the voters in the states that have already participated, have a right to be heard. The will still be heard through their voting, volunteering, and participation. It would be far worse to have their votes completely invalidated by a Machiavellian maneuver to win a nomination despite the will of the electorate. Then the majority of the voters will be ignored. None of us should make declarative statements that diminish the importance of their voices and their votes. Thus we are writing to say we believe your remarks on ABC News This Week on March 16th recognized both of these complex issues and are in the best interest of electing a Democrat to the presidency.

During your appearance, you suggested super-delegates have an obligation to support the candidate who leads in the pledged delegate count as of June 3rd, whether that lead be by 500 delegates or 2. While this may runs counter to some peoples' understanding of the intent in establishing super-delegates in 1984, it is completely in line with the principles of democracy that have shaped this country for over two centuries.

"I believe super-delegates have to use their own judgment and there will be many equities that they have to weigh when they make the decision. Their own belief and who they think will be the best president, who they think can win, how their own region voted, and their own responsibility.%u2019%u201D

Super-delegates, like all delegates, have an obligation to make an informed, individual decision about whom to support and who would be the party%u2019s strongest nominee. Both campaigns agree that at the end of the primary contests neither will have enough pledged delegates to secure the nomination. However, only one will have won more states, more pledged delegates, and the popular vote. In that situation, super-delegates must look to not one criterion but to the full panoply of factors that will help them assess who will be the party%u2019s strongest nominee in the general election.

Many of us have not been strong supporters of the DCCC. We have been drawn by the hope of a new message, a new candidate, and hopefully a new kind of politics. If our hope is unfounded, so is our support for such a party. We therefore urge you to reiterate your position on super-delegates as often as you can and reflect in your comments a view beholden to the tenets of democracy and not the principles of fundraising. This message will positively influence of each of the delegates at the National Convention in August. We appreciate your activities in support of the Democratic Party and your leadership role in the Party and hope you will be responsive to millions of your newest enthusiastic supporters.