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05.07.2008 8:05 pm

Chappelle-Nadal about to jump off fence; Medley to stay on

Two of Missouri Democrats’ remaining six unpledged superdelegates — state Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, and Leila Medley, political director for the Missouri chapter of the National Education Association — are reviewing their options in the wake of Tuesday’s presidential primary results.

Medley said Wednesday that neither Barack Obama’s decisive victory in North Carolina, nor Hillary Clinton’s razor-thin win in Indiana have changed her mind. She’s standing pat — and staying neutral.

“I always said I would wait until everyone has voted,” Medley said. That means she doesn’t plan to choose sides until June, after all the primaries end.

She then added, somewhat ominously, “Should someone concede before then, that’s a moot point.”

Nadal, however, appears to have other plans. “I’m getting close” to making an endorsement, she said. “I’m seriously considering, and I’m weighing things back and forth.”

She said she was planning to take sides, in part, because DNC chairman Howard Dean has encouraged the remaining unpledged superdelegates to start doing so.

“I’m talking to other superdelegates through the state and in other parts of the country,” Nadal said.

Referring to Clinton and Obama, she said, “There are some things I don’t like about both. There are great things I like about both…I just want to win (in November). That’s all I care about.”

Overall, Nadal said, “Everyone’s talking behind the scenes, the superdelegates. This isn’t a game. It’s for real.”

Nadal said she has received “an incredible amount of e-mails and letters” lobbying her.  The letters are mainly from the Clinton camp, while most of the e-mails are from the Obama campaign.

Nadal received a personal call from Hillary Clinton in late April.

Nadal added that she hoped to meet soon with Medley.

Also expected to remain neutral are:

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan

State party chairman John Temporiti

Deputy state chairman Yolanda Wheat

Attorney General Jay Nixon

The rest of the superdelegates have split, 5-5, between Obama and Clinton.

On Saturday, the state party will select 16 more pledged delegates to be split evenly between the two camps. They are part of 72 delegates at stake in the Feb. 5 presidential primary.  Each camp gets 36.

1 votes, average: 1 out of 51 votes, average: 1 out of 51 votes, average: 1 out of 51 votes, average: 1 out of 51 votes, average: 1 out of 5 (1 votes, average: 1 out of 5)
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10 comments

Why are they talking about anything if no decision has been made.
These ladies must be real charmers at a restaurant. Do they call over a waitress just to say they are still deciding?

— suzyjax
8:48 pm May 7th, 2008

suzyjax, they may have been contacted by Ms. Mannies or other reporters to see if they were closer to making a decision. I would think they would not send out a press release or call a reporter just to say they are still undecided.

— truman
9:03 pm May 7th, 2008

This is a rediculous article… who honeslty cares. Maria is milking the attention for all it’s worth

— Butcherfan92
11:09 pm May 7th, 2008

So, Rep. Nadal has to wait until her master Howard Dean tells her to move. Where is her leadership? I think it would be prudent for Ms. Nadal to look at the numbers from her district who supported Obama. If she or anyone on the fence cares so much about the party, they would understand what a prolonged fight does. Of course the decision would be easy after all the votes are counted, but what was the original intent of having superdelegates. Because, they supposedly, are endowed with an in-depth knowledge and understanding which makes them better positioned to understand candidates and platforms. Rep. Nadal what is it that you believe? Are are you no different than Rev. Jeremiah Wright looking for attention. How progressive are you? Put up, or shut up, and lead with your own mind!

— Marge Neal
12:17 pm May 8th, 2008

Marge - I think the idea was to allow people to vote rather than have all the super delegates vote at once and then have the candidates try to play catchup to prove they had viable campaigns. That too would have torpedoed the process. Only the press should be allowed to do that ;)

I think that the decisions has to be hers, but if Hillary can’t get the delegates needed barring flood, famine, locusts or fuzzy math, it would seem that endorsing her at this point could only have negative consequences. Where as endorsing Obama now that the credits are starting to roll on Hill, could help put this long drawn out process behind us and let us focus on the convention.

— DemocracyIsntAlwaysPretty
1:03 pm May 8th, 2008

This really isn’t that hard. Did they not vote on Feb 5? If so, wouldn’t it only be right that your “superdelegate” vote go for the same person you voted for on that day?

— suzyjax
2:29 pm May 8th, 2008

I have a novel idea—all those uncommitted: Hillary Clinton will NOT be the nominee of the Democratic Party. Further, Barack Obama WON the Missouri Primary. Does that register?

It is not helpful at this point for Clinton to be campaigning in West Virginia and stating: “If we had the rules that the Republicans have, I’d already be the nominee.” - Hillary Clinton, May 7, 2008 (one has to assume she understood the rules on the way to the nomination and agreed with them, right?), or for Bill Clinton to be signing off on e-mails to supporters with the following exhortation, “Our next test is just five days away in West Virginia. Hillary needs your help right now to keep winning.” Bill Clinton, May 9, 2008.

I couldn’t disagree more with the concept of “superdelegates.” However, it is what it is.

But, given the inevitable, I cannot comprehend such grandstanding, posturing, or “reviewing options” as I read above. I respectfully submit that the time is now OVER for such inanity.

You were selected to be leaders, so it’s time for you to get off your perch and provide some leadership. Short of that, kindly resign so that you can be replaced by someone who will lead. This especially applies to anyone seeking public office.

The only beneficiary for the continued spectacle that was formerly known as the Hillary Clinton run for the Democratic nomination is John McCain.

In short, folks…time to “you know what” or get off the “you know what!”

— gaydem
3:49 pm May 8th, 2008

This is really an no-brainer, just look at the results of the Feb 5 primary and cast your vote the way the dems told you.

— get real
10:40 pm May 8th, 2008

Who cares? Let’s get on with it…

— Deborah
11:15 pm May 8th, 2008

Nadal is nuttier than a fruitcake. If term limits weren’t already the law they would have to be invented just for her.

— o cromwell
8:48 am May 9th, 2008
Jo Mannies