Superdelegate inspires young voters

As the primaries continue, Jason Rae said he is glad to be involved.

By Mary Daly

Published Feb. 19, 2008

With Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., running neck and neck toward the Democratic National Convention, the spotlight shines on the superdelegates.

Superdelegates are Democratic officeholders and party officials from across the country, including senators, governors, former presidents and ordinary people who hold positions in the state and local party operations.

One of those people is Jason Rae.

Rae is a junior at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He’s majoring in political science and history and is the legislative vice president of his student government.

He is also one of the 796 superdelegates who could potentially have the job of choosing the Democratic presidential nominee at the party’s August convention in Denver.

At 21 years old, Rae has never voted in a presidential election. He is the youngest superdelegate ever elected since the Democratic Party instituted the system in 1982 to avoid a deadlocked race at the convention.

“I had no idea what superdelegates were until about a year ago,” Rae said in an interview with CNN.

When he was just 17, Rae ran against and defeated the president of the state firefighters’ union and a state legislator to be a member of the Democratic National Committee in Wisconsin.

“I think the DNC has done a fantastic job in youth outreach, but I always think there is more that can be done,” Rae said in an e-mail. “So I ran hoping to help do more and give a voice to my generation in national politics.”

All DNC members are automatic superdelegates, who are able to endorse and vote for the candidate of their choice.

“I think that having young people as superdelegates is important,” Rae said. “It shows that superdelegates are regular party activists who care about the direction of the country and having someone young weigh in on that is a good thing.”

The Democratic candidate who receives a total of 2,025 delegates — superdelegates and pledged delegates combined —receives the party’s nomination. Obama leads Clinton in pledged delegates 1,102 to 978, but Clinton commands the superdelegate count 235 to Obama’s 160.

Many Democrats are concerned that the race will come down to which candidate wins more superdelegates, making it appear as though voters have no say in the election.

In an MSNBC interview, Michelle Cottle, a senior editor of The New Republic, said the fact that a 21-year-old could determine our nation’s next president is slightly ridiculous.

“I’m sure Jason is a great guy, but as a system it’s a little absurd,” Cottle said. “However, I think the lemming effect will kick in and the superdelegates will vote with the consensus of the general population.”

Rae also said the scenario that superdelegates would determine the nominee is highly improbable.

He said he thinks the Democrats will have a nominee by April 22 with the Pennsylvania primary.

“I don’t see it dragging on forever and I certainly don’t see superdelegates deciding the race,” Rae said. “I think we as a party need to unite behind one candidate early so that we can spend the summer months preparing for Nov. 4.”

Rae is using his superdelegate status to promote voting among young people.

“Voting is the most important right we have in this country,” Rae said. “I feel that everyone should participate in the process.”

Rae helps involve young people in politics as the Chair of the Marquette University College Democrats.

Marquette freshman Laura Philbin said Rae’s leadership skills are very impressive.

“He encourages us to maximize on the political opportunities presented to us as students,” Philbin said. “He’s also a very good source of knowledge if you ever have any questions relating to politics.”

Today Rae will vote in the Wisconsin primaries, where 74 Democratic delegates are at stake. Washington’s primaries and Hawaii’s Democratic caucuses are also today.

“I still don’t know where I’m going to put that checkmark,” Rae said. “I think we have a really strong field of Democratic candidates and I would be excited to have either as our nominee.”