With all the controversy about super-delegates, Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind says he handled the dilemma the best way he knew how.
Considering the so-called super-delegates can pledge their vote to a presidential candidate of choice and sway the outcome of the close Democratic primary election, there's the implication that super-delegates get a little extra bang for their vote.
"Well, I agree, and it has troubled me greatly and speaking as a super-delegate I think it smacks and being very antidemocratic; a bunch of elite power brokers operating behind the scenes and possibly making the ultimate decision on who's gonna get the nomination."
La Crosse Democrat Ron Kind says he's "troubled greatly" by the power of the super-delegates.
"No individual, regardless of position or office, should have their vote count more than anyone else. And my concern is that the super-delegates do make the decision, it's gonna alienate a lot of voters, especially young voters who are making the effort to participate and go to the polls. And it's the last thing you want to discourage."
Kind admits to getting a lot of solicitation from the candidates for his highly sought-after vote, which he could promise to anyone, but Kind decided to go with the will of his constituents.
"Yeah, I wanted to honor the choice of the voters of my congressional district and respect who they voted for. It just so happened to be (Illinois Senator) Barack Obama who carried the district, so my super-delegate vote now will be pledged to him because of where the vote went in my district."
On the positive side, Kind says all this attention has created a lot more engagement, energy and excitement in the election process. Kind says he wrote a letter to Howard Dean, chair of the Democratic National Committee , asking him to put together a taskforce to figure out how to revamp the system, beginning with abolishing the status of the super delegates.
Wisconsin has 16 super-delegates.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:48 MP3)
