April 13, 2008
Posted: 03:55 PM ET

From
Former President Carter says the popular vote should run in the Democratic nomination race.
Former President Carter says the popular vote should run in the Democratic nomination race.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Jimmy Carter reiterated the sentiments of many Democratic Party leaders on Sunday by saying that it would be a “serious mistake” for superdelegates to choose the candidate with fewer total delegates.

“I think it would be a very serious mistake for the Democratic Party…if a candidate had the majority of popular votes, the majority of delegates and a majority of states — all three — were the superdelegates to vote contrary to that, I think it would be very difficult to explain,” the former president told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.”

Carter is the latest in a series of prominent Democrats to say that nullifying the popular vote would be a flawed approach. He said that he “basically agreed” with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who on March 15 stated "if the votes of the superdelegates overturn what's happened in the elections, it would be harmful to the Democratic party.”

Heading into the key Pennsylvania primary on April 22, Hillary Clinton trails Barack Obama by 171 pledged delegates. Even well-known supporters of Clinton have declared publicly that she needs to come first in the popular vote to win the nomination.

"I'm a very aggressive supporter of Senator Clinton, but I think you need at least a popular vote,” Gov. Jon Corzine, D-New Jersey, expressed in an interview on April 3. Later that day, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania echoed the governor’s position, saying “she has to be ahead in the popular vote to have any chance at all of getting this nomination."

Though Carter has not officially endorsed a candidate and made no such announcement on Sunday, he hinted last week that he is going to vote for Obama.

"My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama, my children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama… As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for but I leave you to make that guess," he said.

–CNN's Peter Lanier

Filed under: Barack Obama • Delegates • Hillary Clinton • Jimmy Carter


Susan   April 13th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

How are we supposed to put stock in what Jimmy Carter says? This is a man who wants to have peace talks with Hamas. For him to think he could trust what they tell him shows his lack of logical thinking.

DM. Arlington Texas   April 13th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

Peace in the world can only be brought about by those who are willing to talk.

Kudo's to Jimmy Carter.

alice2   April 13th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

In this instance I agree with Pres Carter and Speaker Pelosi. I don't see how anything else could be seen as a demorcatic vote by the people., as it would be going against the will of the people.

Nathan   April 13th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

Count the Michigan and Florida delegates and then it certainly would be folly to give the nomination to Obama who would trail in delegates and the popular vote. Funny how there's nothing Democratic about the Democrats.

Funny   April 13th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

Funny… this coming from a guy who was a DISASTER as a president and meeting now with extremist terrorist groups…

Jackie Bauer   April 13th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Jimmah Cahtah is a bitter and senile old man desperately seeking relevance after having a disasterous presidency in every area, but domestic and foreign. Pay no attention to the crazy uncle behind the curtain…

john williams san diego, ca.   April 13th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

do not believe anything jimmy carter says, he is anti-american.

Bill, Covington   April 13th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

The only serious mistake I see here is Jeemie Carter, and if there is so such thing as evolution then that is the mistake of cerationism or the creator.Have a nice day, and best of luck on electing your rainbow candidate.

Dan   April 13th, 2008 8:19 pm ET

The superdelagates should vote for whomever they feel is the best candidate even if it means crossing party lines.

Even Though the former president is a Nobel Peace Prize holder and active in Habitat for Humanity. Based on his political record I no longer give much consideration to what he has to say

Canadian Neighbour   April 13th, 2008 8:17 pm ET

The message is very clear. Hillary needs to just 'chill' and move with the the flow. She needs to throw her full support behind Obama in an effort to unite the Democratic party to campaign against the Republicans. This is the only way the party can be successful in November !!

Sue   April 13th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

this is a man of honor. The DNC better listen to waht he says because it is the truth.

G.N. Penley   April 13th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

Wow! Jimmy Carter makes sense for once. Must have caught him on a good day.

Sara   April 13th, 2008 8:10 pm ET

its very possible Clinton will have the popular vote…..what then. Also Im a true democrat but Carter was a awful president…I do remember the 90s where VERY kind to me…..not so much now…how soon people forget and turn to the kool-aid…

moses   April 13th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

When the popular vote is the result of a campaign of illusions, pushed by the liberal media, it is important for the Super Delegates to correct the situation. Super Delegates are suppose to be party elders, mature and unswayed by rhetoric, and looking for the interests of the country.

Jane   April 13th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Former President Jimmy Carter believes Obama should receive the nomination! That's because he knows how to pick a winner!

YES WE CAN!

OBAMA – THE NEXT US PRESIDENT '08

Democrat   April 13th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Didn't Carter lose when he ran for re-election? I wouldn't look to him for advice superdelegates.

North Carolina   April 13th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

I would take what you say just a wee bit more seriously, Mr. Carter, if you hadn't gone calling on Hamas.

Keith T   April 13th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

I am a life long democrat. If the candidate with the most popular votes, the most states won and the most delegates is denied the candidacy of the democratic party, I will most certainly vote for John mcCain in the general election. I will also vote against all those I am entitled to vote for who went against the majority leader.

Richard   April 13th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

It would make sense if Carter supports Obama- as both have no problem meeting up with terrorist leaders. It is absolutely ridiculous that Carter is even allowed to meet up with Hamas leadership.

Sean   April 13th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

I wonder if Hillary's wealthiest donors will send Carter a threatening letter like they did to Nancy Pelosi for saying this.

It's hard for me to concede that Hillary Clinton is "in touch" with th epeople when she actively pushes to have the will of the voters overturned by pledged and super delegates.

marty   April 13th, 2008 7:59 pm ET

Superdelegates need to vote for who would be the best president. That is Hillary.

Doug, Florida   April 13th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Carter for the first time I am proud of you.

Go Obama

Sally   April 13th, 2008 7:51 pm ET

Addition: He was sunning himself on a tropical Island while the 4000th American trooper died in Iraq – did he ever go to iraq? NO, McCain did and Hillary went to Bosnia (regardless of what is being said) SHE WENT IN A TIME OF WAR. This man is VERY dangerous…look out America.

Bryan   April 13th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

It would also be a big mistake to go to visit Hamas. But oh I forgot you buy into the Obama theory that we should talk to terrorist. The Obama has shown another shallow area in the area of CEO compensation according to Lou Dobbs. He should be ashamed for trying to fool us. Another blunder???

Hillary or McCain 08

Jazz   April 13th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Of course he and Pellosi say thatthey're campaigning for their guy. and if Hillary were in the lead they would say the opposite.The hierarchy can put him over the top but they can't make us vote for him.

AA For Change   April 13th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

As a Republican, I want the democrats to choose Obama.. Hes set himself up for what could be the biggest defeat since McGovern.

Dr. H. Proctor   April 13th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

. . . "I think it would be very difficult to explain". Jimmy Carter, you a trip.

Obama 08.

jrzshor   April 13th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

a really simple solution for the democrazies.

DO NOT let the superdelegates vote!

Kaya, Houston, Texas   April 13th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

They better not overturn the candidate leading in pledged delegates and popular vote.

California Voter   April 13th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

Isn't this story a repeat?

NoBama   April 13th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

The only "serious mistake" Carter, you retard, was your four years in the White House.

Please just shut your trap and go back to lusting after women and seeing space-bunnies on lakes.

Kent, Illinois   April 13th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

It will be a Democrat elected this year. If they overturned anything it may not turn out that way. As Democrats, lets just be happy with whomever we get , win the election, and go from there. Carter is a very smart guy and Pelosi knows what she is talking about.

lorraine   April 13th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

In this case this make sure that each and every voter has their vote counted. A new election should be held in Florida and Michigan

Pete, Pa   April 13th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Never fear to negotiate and always try to make friends.

Way to go Carter!!

Sure   April 13th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Now Fox News has him saying superdelegates should back whomever they feel can best lead the country regardless of popular vote or pledged delegates.

hmmmm????????????

OlvrWhit   April 13th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Carter, an Obama supporter, should not be meeting with terrorist like Hamas either, but will that stop him..

Grif   April 13th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

You mean Obama!! Why not say so Idiot?? Borack Obama will never see the White House, has his Home… Never. Never. Never..
Hapana Kabisa. If Obama is chosen by the Dems. Then John McCain will win with a Landslide Victory…. Guaranteed..

Charles   April 13th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

No matter how one tries to spin this fact, it is the plain truth. To go against the will of the delegates, and especially if nominating Hillary means going against the popular vote as well, would be more than disaster. It kind of means the democratic process is null and void. How can you claim to be the party representative if the majority of the party didn't vote for you? There is simply no argument that can refute that fact. The claim that Obama is unelectable – a silly claim made by people that simply don't want Obama as the nominee no matter what – is foolish. There are many reasons to throw that claim back your faces but one main one is that so many Clinton supporters say there is more prejudice against a woman candidate than on the black candidate. The fact that Hillary is a woman means she has a harder time of it. That kind of means she's less electable, by your definition. I'm saying nothing against her being a woman as I wanted her as president as much as anyone else until she starrted opening her mouth and I realized she's not her husband and we can't get those golden years back. Obama has run the perfect campaign and has won the people and deserves the vote as a result.

Roger   April 13th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

It's just a flowed system period if Hillary wins the primary in Texas, but ends up getting less delegates because Obama won the caucuses. By the rules, the superdelegates can do whatever they want to do. It's not right for Carter and Pelosi to manipulate the superdelegates like this.

jet   April 13th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Jimmy Carter was not a very effective president. He may is a sincere person but not a very decisive one.

Steve   April 13th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Either he is on the Obama bandwagon or he seems to be a proponent of logic and reason.

Obama '08

you set the stage   April 13th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

Problem is… Obama is only where he is- slightly ahead- because of the corruption of the DNC and the mistakes of the democratic party leaders.

The caucus format is flawed and counts the votes of the few over the votes of the many who wanted to but could not vote.

Not counting Fl and Mi is another pro-Obama ploy. Toss votes that went to his opponent.

Then the media bias driving his rise to stardom creates momentum and advantage.

So really… IS HE the people's choice?

And… is he winning fairly or by being given unfair advantages?

And is Hillary behind because of her positions on issues or because of the handicaps, sabotage and swiftboating of her campaign?

Feron   April 13th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

HR has been going around talking as if Obama said all white people are going to hell or something. The audacity of her after Bill made the following comments:

"The reason (George H. W. Bush's tactic) works so well now is that you have all these economically insecure white people who are scared to death," Clinton was quoted saying by the Los Angeles Times in September 1991.

Brian D Alger II   April 13th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

I'm glad to say Carter knows what he is talking about. The Clinton idea is not to talk to enemies, and after our previous infliction we left them to suffer, now that we're back we need to leave in a way that is diplomatic to the middle east. We have hurt [the nature of creation] so much, and for a nation of freedom, have restricted our [place of ocupancy] last hope in the name of profit. Obama has the only true action that is needed for our [leaving war] entering peace and understanding.

Brian D Alger II

paul, nyc ny   April 13th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

I agree across the board with what Nancy Pelosi and Pres Carter have said about superdelegates and their vote being reflective of the popular vote. But what they must see is that if Hillary Clinton won the popular vote say in New York then the superdelegates should vote for her. This has been a state by state primary, not a UNITED STATES primary, because if it was then this would have been over a long time ago.

Basically the votes at the convention should be that of each state. Then allow the superdelegates to vote by the popular vote of their state or district or locale. To say that if Barack won the most popluar votes nationwide than all superdelegates should vote for him is just as wrong as to say the same if it were true for Hillary.

We vote for a president by popular vote and by delegates. Each candidate wins the state and the one with the most delegates/popular vote wins. In essence, Hillary could come out of this the winner if the delegates vote by their state and not by the leader of the national popular vote.

Please don't mix it up leaders and others.

Mike   April 13th, 2008 6:59 pm ET

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carter suprised me (by endorsing NObama), Carter is a smart man, and was a descent President, he simply surrounded himself by stupid people.

One of those stupid individuals must be advising him now!

Oh by the way, NObama would simply be stupid, but perhaps surrounding himself by smart people?

Hillary will win Pa.!!!!!!!

Peter   April 13th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

In 1976, Gerald Ford carried more states than Jimmy Carter. Does President Carter consider his administration a "serious mistake?"

In 2008, when totaling the delegates and the popular votes for this Democratic primary and caucus season, does Jimmy Carter think the Democrats should include those from Florida and Michigan? Or would that be a "serious mistake" for this former president who has championed democracy in so many other lands?

Peter S.
Georgia

Independant/Iowa   April 13th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

That a no-brainer/

ANTI CLINTONS   April 13th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

Sure it is for the Party, sounds like a commie saying. This is suppose to be for the country, not the "party" you lib idiots, get it right peanut farmer, nobody listens to you or Pugosi anyway.

Wilma ,in Georgia   April 13th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Jimmy Carter needs to raise peanuts and sell Billy Beer and leave the rest of the world alone.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP