Host of “The Daily Show,” Trevor Noah, interviewed the Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz on Monday and took the opportunity to press her about trying to “c**kblock” Bernie Sanders. He also pressed the issue of the DNC’s use of superdelegates, a highly controversial topic that some people feel undermines American democracy.
Superdelegates have remained controversial, as they are party-selected officials who are “unpledged voters,” meaning they can vote for whomever they choose at the convention. They aren’t like the pledged delegates who are supposed to vote representing the people’s choice in their respective state primaries and caucuses. Superdelegates also make up about 15% of all delegates, meaning they could have a significant impact on the outcome of a nomination if they wanted.
And therein lies the way that the DNC could “c**kblock” Bernie Sanders from winning the nomination. Even if Sanders manages to win the popular vote, it is unlikely that he can overcome Hillary Clinton’s large lead in current superdelegate support. Wasserman-Schultz had this to say about her influence:
“As powerful as that makes me feel, I’m not doing a very good job of rigging the outcome or blocking anyone from being able to get their message out. The reality is that I have a job as national party chair that is one that requires a thick skin. It requires me to be able to absorb the body blows so our candidates can stay above the fray.”
It’s quite true that she doesn’t have quite the evil power some Sanders supporters think she has. It is also true, however, that she was the campaign co-chair for Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. That fact tends to make Sanders supporters incredibly uncomfortable.
It doesn’t help that she seemed to want to schedule as few debates as possible in the beginning of the election season, a fact that some Sanders supporters point to as evidence of her bias towards Clinton. She was also scheduling them in time slots where most people were unlikely to be watching. Because Sanders was looking to use the debates to get his name out there, it could have hurt him quite a bit.
So does she actually have the power to screw over Bernie in the end? It’s unlikely. Did she try before? Maybe. Regardless, the superdelegate system is the real threat. Hopefully they will go with the popular vote, whatever that might be.
Watch the whole interview on Comedy Central’s website.
Featured image is a screengrab from “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”
