We know that the race between and is a history making event, pitting a woman against an Afro-American for the democratic candidate for President of the United States, however we had know idea that that might be the tip of an iceberg. 

Due to the closeness of the race, the results might be determine, not by the will of the common citizen, but the backroom negotiations of 796 Superdelegates, or insiders, as the are sometimes called which include members of congress, governors, former presidents and office holders as well as unelected officials.   Their increased prominence has led to speculation of a return to the smoke-filled rooms that dominated politics before the party electoral procedures were reformed after 1968.

The Superdelegate process is not well known as most of the races in recent memory have not been close enough to make them a decisive factor. UNTIL NOW!  

The last time the Democratic super-delegates played a decisive role was in 1984 when they backed Walter Mondale over Gary Hart. This year the competition is closer.

HERE IS A VIDEO ON THE SUPERDELEGATE ISSUE

 The headlines in Sunday's papers focused on the power of these insiders and reflected a debate over whether they should and would reflect their own views or conform to the popular verdict.  

 "Super-delegates are by design supposed to exercise independent judgement," she said. "But of course, if Senator Obama and his campaign continue to push this position, which is really contrary to what the definition of a super-delegate has historically been, I will look forward to receiving the support of Senator Kennedy and Senator Kerry."  

Both senators from Massachusetts backed Mr Obama but Mrs Clinton won the state.

The whole Superdelegate issue has been controversial and problematic long before this 2008 presidential race as it brings into sharp focus the reality of how un-democratic our Democratic nomination process might be, and threatens the legitimacy of whichever candidate ends up winning.

If the super-delegates' votes count so much more than regular voters', it just seems fair that super-delegates should take the will of their constituents (if they currently represent some) into account when making their decisions.   

Whatever happens before the 2008 Democratic National Convention, it promises to be a long fight to decide which history maker, the woman (Hillary Clinton) or the African American (Barack Obama), will become the Democratic Party's choice for president.