Super delegates do not subvert democracy

Last Sunday, May 1st, I was a delegate at the Thurston County Democratic Convention. The turnout was outstanding; The Olympian estimated it at about 2,000 people. The Olympian also indicated that of those attendees about  3/4 were Sanders supporters. In order to be a delegate I had to attend my District 20 Caucus on March 26 and the support for Bernie there was also overwhelming.

Washington state's super delegates, mostly elected officials, selected by the Democratic Party are at this time, according to all reports, overwhelmingly intending to support Secretary Clinton at the July national convention in Philadelphia.

The Democratic Party has been, in my lifetime of 67 years, the party that has touted itself as adhering to democratic principles. My experience certainly supports that assertion, especially as compared with the Republican Party.

If the super delegates do not cast their delegate vote for Sen. Sanders in July - when our state has demonstrated such overwhelming support - how can each of them, in all honesty, look in the mirror and really believe that they are adhering to the ideals they profess and advancing democracy.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Super delegates do not subvert democracy."