Delegate the delegates

Re “Now it’s a test of clout vs. cash,” Feb. 7

I am concerned that if Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama continue to split the Democratic delegates, neither will get enough delegates to win the nomination outright. This will mean that, practically, the nominee will be selected at the party convention by the vote of the so-called super delegates. These constitute about 20% of the total available delegates and are free to vote for anyone. I think this could be devastating to the party if the super delegates are perceived as crowning someone in an unfair fashion. Such a result would make meaningless all the votes cast. If Clinton were to be selected solely by the super delegates, this kind of backroom deal would risk losing all the new voters Obama has energized when the general election comes around.

I urge both candidates to agree now that the super-delegate votes will be split based on the primary results in actual elections.

Jonathan Hubbell

Laguna Niguel