Good Question

Many State Dem. Super Delegates Still Can't Decide

Good Question: So why are super delegates so important and what are they thinking?

Written for the Web by Alan Gionet

DENVER (CBS4) ― The precinct caucuses in Colorado were over nearly two weeks ago and the race for the Democratic nomination far is still not settled -- far from it.

Ultimately, 15 of Colorado's delegates will be of the super variety.

"And I just totally disagree with that," said one man CBS4 spoke with.

We already know 14 of them. One more will be picked by the super delegates themselves at the state convention before the national convention.

They are a collection of party stalwarts and activists and office holders.

At the top: Gov. Bill Ritter and Sen. Ken Salazar. There are also people like Colorado Democratic party chair Pat Waak.

There's also Ramona Martinez, a former Denver city councilwoman and the current national chair of the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic caucus. That's how she was appointed a super delegate by the party.

"Because I am a Hispanic female from Colorado and I represent the Hispanic Community," says Martinez.

There are about 800 super delegates who very well may make the decision for Democrats between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The concept was installed by Democrats in 1980.

"In about 1980 they realized the party is losing control, and so the super delegates were a chance to give the party more control over who is going to be the nominee," says University of Denver assistant professor of political science Tom Knecht.

"They typically follow the majority winner in their state," says Knecht, but when it comes to this year's election he says, "Don't hold me to it."

In Colorado, Obama received about two thirds of the precinct caucus vote and Clinton about a third.

Most of the regular delegates who will go to the national convention in Denver to represent Colorado will be chosen to follow that vote. They will go either pledged to Obama or Clinton along the same percentages.

Not the super delegates. Of the 14 chosen so far, four are backing Obama, four are backing Clinton. Six are still undecided.

Those six are: Ritter, Salazar, Congressman Rep. John Salazar, Congressman Rep. Mark Udall, party chair Pat Waak and former Gov. Roy Romer.

It brings up the question of whether it's fair that they aren't beholden to the electorate.

"I think you could probably make the argument that it's somewhat less democratic," says Knecht, "But we also have to look at the role of the parties in the political system."

The parties want a role in ensuring the nominee is the one it wants to battle it out with the Republicans in the final election.

Ramona Martinez is in the Clinton camp. She's been called and emailed by Coloradoans who want her to change.

"Some people from the campaign and a lot of his supporters from Colorado."

Martinez says they don't understand her role.

"I say I have earned my vote and I say my vote reflects what my constituency that I represent on what the DNC is doing right now."

Obama's victory in Colorado aside, Martinez and others in the Hispanic community know Clinton did better among Hispanics.

"He didn't win overwhelmingly in the Hispanic communities."

The super delegates who haven't made up their minds -- at least publicly -- give varying reasons

Sen. Salazar says he wants to maintain good relations with both Obama and Clinton in the U.S. Senate for the benefit of Colorado.

"Two explanations: one, they are truly undecided. And the second thing is, being undecided gives you a little move leverage at the convention," Knecht said.

And it just may be a convention that is wide open in August in Denver.

(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)