April 1, 2008
Posted: 04:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid revealed Tuesday that he supported a proposal that would ask Democratic superdelegates to weigh in publicly by July 1.

The plan, proposed by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, would mean the Democratic nominee would be known sometime between the end of the primary season in early June and the beginning of July – long before the August nominating convention in Denver.

"Sen. Reid agrees that superdelegates who have already made up their minds declare their support by July 1," Reid spokesman Jim Manley told CNN.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier Tuesday that she “hopes” the contest will end before July, but did not back calls to make that deadline a mandatory one, saying she thought the process “will work its course” without interference.

–CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett contributed to this report

Filed under: Delegates • Harry Reid


Theresa   April 1st, 2008 4:37 pm ET

What about the rules ???? If you can't change the rules in Florida and Michigan why should you change the rules about the Super Delegates and when they have to vote….moving them up should cause them to be disenfranchised as well !!!!!!!! Have patience everyone

Dave in Alexandria, VA   April 1st, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Who are Dean, Reid and Pelosi? -Three nobodies who have never run on a national ticket? -I think the opinions of B. Clinton, Mondale and Ferraro (and Gore and Carter), count for a lot more!

The Great One   April 1st, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Sounds good to me….why wait?? but i'm sure clinton supporters will hate the idea….it limits the time for their law suite. lol

John   April 1st, 2008 4:41 pm ET

The only reason Sen. Reid wants the race to be ended is because he is afraid of the Larry Sinclair scandal that is about to be blown wide-open on the candidate he supports (Mr. Obama). This would then make him look foolish for backing Obama in the first place! Over one million people have seen the confessions of Mr. Sinclair, and thousands more are hearing it every day.

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

I GUESS, MR. REID. BUT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND MR. REID.
DO WE REALLY HAVE TO LISTEN TO HER VOICE UNTIL JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!

OBAMA FOR PRES 2008 FROM DAY 1.

RETIRED PROFESSIONAL WHITE WOMAN OF 63.

Saad   April 1st, 2008 4:42 pm ET

For all the democrats who do not want another 4 years of republicans should blindly support this idea. Otherwise another 4 years of hell. The problem with that is not so much the President himself but the evils in the administration like Cheney and Rumsfeld.

All dems. should blindly support this idea so everyone can rally behind one candidate sooner than later.

pat   April 1st, 2008 4:48 pm ET

look at the numbers for the electriol collage hillary is leading

CHICANO ART, ARIZONA   April 1st, 2008 4:50 pm ET

The super delegates may or may not hold the key to the democratic nomination. Many said they feel uncomfortable choosing the nominee. I believe Florida and Michigan will have to be delt with before the super delegates can act.

peace   April 1st, 2008 4:51 pm ET

I thought Harry Reid was for Clinton. His son was a staff person for the Clinton campaign.

I guess even Harry Reid is getting tired of the Clinton drama. For good reason- the Clintons desperate tactics could cost the Democrats their majorities in Congress.

Tim   April 1st, 2008 4:56 pm ET

Good plan.

Praetorian, Fort Myers   April 1st, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Well–
It looks like ALL the congressional socialists are on board the Obama express now!!

Reality   April 1st, 2008 4:59 pm ET

That makes the most sense; just have all the supers commit and then we'll see what the numbers really look like.

Lee WV   April 1st, 2008 5:00 pm ET

You will hear all kind of crying from Clintonites again,she has already said she is willing to take it to the convention,no matter who it hurts!!

Sara from Arizona   April 1st, 2008 5:18 pm ET

I hope this all ends before July 1. OBAMA 08′ No more Clintons!!!

Sunny, Bristol CT   April 1st, 2008 5:20 pm ET

As leader of Congress, does it has somthing to do with him that "Food price hikes changing eating habits"? And Nancy Pelosi.

Please do not stop a capable candidate to be the president.

fair play   April 1st, 2008 8:00 pm ET

We need closed state primaries.

We need ALL the primaries to be the same day or week or month.

We need to eliminate this constant and continual party-changing manipulation of the primary vote. People can cross party lines in the general election.

We need more debates and less celebrity sway and rock star antics.

We need ALL the states to vote until the magic number of delegates is reached by one candidate. Or… do away with delegates and go with the popular vote.

We need to stop fixing elections in order to appeal to the teenagers. An Election is NOT the place for teen idol.

Mess   April 1st, 2008 8:02 pm ET

This historical primary has highlighted all the flaws in our electoral system.

Unfortunately the deck was stacked toward Obama in this primary.

On a fair playing field Hillary would have taken it by now.

SAMO   April 1st, 2008 8:02 pm ET

Democratic leaders changing the rules as they go along too.

The only rule that governs the super-delegates is that they exercise their independent judgment in deciding who to support. There was nothing in the rule that say that they must back the candidate with the most pledged delegates.

The fairest way is for super-delegate to vote the way their states voted.

Doug, Florida   April 1st, 2008 8:11 pm ET

Scott, CHERYL and Manuel, TX need to get a life.

Manuel can you even vote. Stop backing the loser - HRC

McCain or Obama for President. Hillary no way

Lee   April 1st, 2008 8:24 pm ET

Get it done DNC/leaders !

Marshall   April 1st, 2008 8:34 pm ET

I think that is a great idea. I have been a Clinton supporter since the beginning of the race, but I am ready to know the outcome. We, as Democrats, need to get behind a candidate. We can not afford to have McCain win, and have the Iraq debacle continue.

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