Okay, first of all, this thread is in no way meant to bash any political party or candidate. I have a few simple questions for the Democrats in the US, so NO political arguements.

So, I have been following the race between Clinton and Obama for some time now. But I still don't understand the purpose of superdelegates. Why does the Democratic party have them (why not just have delegates like the Republican party)? How are they chosen? I've looked around, but all of the answers I've found have just confused me more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate

I looked at that, and it still doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm just too tired now.

the super delegates is a retard thing

Republicans have Superdelegate as well. They just have a lot less.

Super Delegates are basically a way to reward people for putting alot of effort into the party. If you've donated a lot of time, or are a senator or used to be president, maybe your opinion counts a little more in electing the candidate for your party.

The democrats also give floating super delegate status to important union groups and the like for political favor... if i remember correctly.  Keeps them happy which is important when you've got unions and enviromentalists under the same roof.

Also superdelegates can fly and they have heat vision. Thus that is why their vote counts for more.

I don´t like them anymore since Clinton bases her campaign just on their votes. It should be obvious now that Obama won.

It makes it easier to find bribe targets.

One of the major reasons, so I've heard, is to prevent unelectable candidates from becoming nominees. That use to be a major problem (especially with McGovern and Carter). Somehow Mondale slipped through the cracks though...

superdelegates defeat the purpose of democracy