2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
Penn Dems' move to endorse debated
Colin Kavanaugh and Emily Schultheis
Penn Democrats will endorse a candidate for president next week, the organization announced yesterday - but there is still debate about whether it is too soon for such an endorsement, or whether the group should endorse at all.
Penn Dems will hold an endorsement meeting on March 5 for all active members.
Those voting at the meeting will choose between New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. The endorsement will require a two-thirds majority, with the winner receiving "the full weight and effect of the organization's support," according to a press release.
The meeting was originally scheduled for today, but the Penn Dems Executive Board decided to postpone until after the Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4.
College sophomore and Penn Dems Vice President Mukul Sharma said the organization "wanted to mobilize before spring break," but said it is important for members to be informed of the March 4 results before making a decision.
Despite this postponement, Penn for Hillary has expressed frustration at the Penn Dems' decision to endorse a candidate, at least at present.
"We still feel that it is premature [for the Penn Dems] to make an endorsement," said Penn for Hillary communications director Patrick Bauer.
"We think that the Penn Dems should have an important role in this upcoming election, but we think the candidates should have the chance to make their case to Pennsylvania students," said Bauer, a College freshman.
Bauer added that Penn for Hillary believes that, thus far, both Clinton and Obama have been able to focus their attention on issues important to particular states, such as Ohio and Texas.
Those two states are viewed as critical in the Democratic race, with both believed to be must-wins for Clinton to maintain her viability as a candidate.
Bauer said the candidates should be given the same chance here in Pennsylvania before the Penn Dems vote to endorse.
Penn Dems will hold an endorsement meeting on March 5 for all active members.
Those voting at the meeting will choose between New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. The endorsement will require a two-thirds majority, with the winner receiving "the full weight and effect of the organization's support," according to a press release.
The meeting was originally scheduled for today, but the Penn Dems Executive Board decided to postpone until after the Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4.
College sophomore and Penn Dems Vice President Mukul Sharma said the organization "wanted to mobilize before spring break," but said it is important for members to be informed of the March 4 results before making a decision.
Despite this postponement, Penn for Hillary has expressed frustration at the Penn Dems' decision to endorse a candidate, at least at present.
"We still feel that it is premature [for the Penn Dems] to make an endorsement," said Penn for Hillary communications director Patrick Bauer.
"We think that the Penn Dems should have an important role in this upcoming election, but we think the candidates should have the chance to make their case to Pennsylvania students," said Bauer, a College freshman.
Bauer added that Penn for Hillary believes that, thus far, both Clinton and Obama have been able to focus their attention on issues important to particular states, such as Ohio and Texas.
Those two states are viewed as critical in the Democratic race, with both believed to be must-wins for Clinton to maintain her viability as a candidate.
Bauer said the candidates should be given the same chance here in Pennsylvania before the Penn Dems vote to endorse.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Confused
posted 2/26/08 @ 9:51 AM EST
How is this premature Mr. Bauer? This is already the longest presidential primary campaign in the history of the nation. After 20 debates and endless months of news coverage, what "new" information is going to come to bear on the race simply because the candidates "make their case" to PA specifically? Are the Penn Dems suddenly going to become more informed simply because the two candidates recite in Philadelphia the same stump speeches we've heard for months? Or because they will be running 30 second ads on our television screens (the same ads, mind you, that we already saw in Philadelphia because of the New Jersey primary)? I think not. (Continued…)
Liberal
posted 2/26/08 @ 4:01 PM EST
I really hope that the Penn Dems pick the candidate who will make us lose the Iraq war ASAP!
Gerard
posted 2/26/08 @ 6:54 PM EST
Does it really matter? As if anyone is going
to make their own choice based on Penn-Dems?
Ah, no
Ross
posted 2/26/08 @ 10:22 PM EST
Wow, talk about a meaningless endorsement. I am sure that the Students for Obama group and Students for Hillary group will be far more influential via voter drives and canvassing than the Penn Dems. (Continued…)
Post a Comment