Representating a territory who overwhelmingly voted to support Barack Obama, should Delegate Christiansen's Superdelegate vote run contrary to the wishes of her constituency?
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More than half of the contributions Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has received in the current election cycle are linked to a Washington contractor who is the subject of a federal inquiry.
According to an article today in the Washington Post, Christensen has received at least $37,000 from contractor Jeffrey Thompson, who is suspected of using “straw” or phantom donors to evade contribution limits that are set for candidates running for office. His operations have drawn the attention of Federal authorities.
According to the article, Thompson’s accounting firm Thompson, Cobb, Brazilio and Associates, has 189 contracts with the federal government, worth $17.1 million. The company has done some business in the Virgin Islands, auditing grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Highway Administration. TCBA recently advertised for an accounting position based in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Recently, Christensen has urged the Federal Election Commission to investigate the election system of the Virgin Islands, citing public discontent with the way the Board of Elections in operating. Perhaps this current development will hasten their acceptance of her request.
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The delegate can exercise her personal decision to support Clinton. However, her superdelegate vote must be representative of the territory’s Democratic party vote.
As a public representative it is very imperative that the Delegate feel the pulse of the constituents in this territory……After all the vote on Saturday in which ninety-percent of the electorate overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama, the Delegate must be compel to change her vote if in fact she is a true representative of the people.
Food For thought, Barack Obama placed the Virgin Islands on one of his place to visit during the campaign……why didn’t Hillary Clinton?
She needs to go home people
She needs to represent the people of the Virgin Islands. When we sent her to Washington, we sent her to represent us, not herself. At any rate, she has lost my vote and I don’t think she should be re-elected from the Virgin Islands. Perhaps from New York or Arkansas-Hillary’s “adopted” and “home” states.
It’s tough being Delegate Christiansen at this time. I hope she sees the writing on the wall. If this comes down to a superdelegate vote, she will have her own political future in her hands.
Why grant the Congressional delegate the power of a super delegate? If this person is pressured to have the same vote as others, then this is not really a democracy. Donna has the right to decide who should be president. Hilary Clinton like Barack Obama is a Democrat. Please respect her decision. Obama is my preference;however,I cannot predict he is going to win the nomination( this race is close).If Hilary wins, Donna could be appointed to a higher position. What will be the reaction if this happens?
Here’s an interesting article on this very subject.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_superdelegates
It’s a very interesting race.
The whole thing is all part of the ilusion that we actually a part of the US political process. Just like the ‘vote’ in the Committee of the Whole of the US House of Representatives. If any bill is 4 votes or less, then they vote again without the delegates. This is the vote that’s not a vote. This ‘illusion of inclusion’ in the US political process by participating in a political party caucus, giving us the false sens of being a real part of the US political process is sad. I would rather we seek real rights in the actual election through statehood. This illusion of inclusion is most disturbing, and we are fooling ourselves bigtime.
I agree that her vote should reflect the wishes of the total vote cast by the people of the Democratic Party, but there is another side. We can’t put all our eggs in one basket. Suppose Hillary pull it off? We need representation all around. Don’t under estimate mainland American voters. Remember what happen to Al Gore.
The Delegate has said that Clinton has helped her when she started serving as a delegate and throughout her tenure as delegate. If this is the case, she should support Clinton. It shows trust and loyalty. Whether or not Clinton wins the nomination or goes back to being Senator, the Delegate will need her again. So to vote for Obama could and stabbing herself in the foot. Who you are networked with is worth more than what you know. She needs to keep that relationship
Politicians often get the label of being wishy-washy, without a backbone, or not having loyalty when they run with the crowd simply because others are doing so. Is that the type of Congressional leader we want?
We also need to consider other factors:
(1)Advantageous Perspective: the Congresswoman likely has a greater and more insightful perspective of national politics than the average Virgin Islander
(2)Eggs in One Basket: all ‘investors’ know not to place all their eggs in one basket. When the Congresswoman supports one candidate and the Governor/Vigin Islanders support another, this can be viewed as a good strategy (3)Influence: Clinton has significant influence in the Senate…perhaps more than Barrack does. Whether she’s in the White House or in the Senate, Clinton is a good ally to have. LET’S SUPPORT OUR CONGRESSWOMAN!
Ananymouos you summed it nicely. Often we put on blinders knocking out any prospects of peripheral views. Let’s keep it real, people. Our Delegate is doing what is best, in this situation.
Thinking Cap, read this article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23184492
Delegate Christiansen should comtinue her support for senaor Clinton. Senator Kennedy supported Sen Obama and Mass. voters going for sen Clinton//Do the math
The Delegate should express the will of the people that she represents. The Virgin Islands overwhelmingly support Obama and that is the directive to the delegate to vote for Obama. She got to Washington because we voted for her. We sent her there to represent us. She is not there to represent herself. Either way it goes, I am not voting for her and will encourage others to do so. Obama is forward moving, looking to the future. Likewise, we need someone with fresh ideas to be our delegate. She is from the past, but we are moving to the future. Vote for the future.
The country is tired of the Bush and the Clintons. This is a new day.
As me and family were long time supporter of Donna, we cannot see ourself supporting her anymore after the fact she has clearly choosen not to adhere to the wishes of the electorate.
It is time for new leadership in D.C.
You all aint paying attention, (YES,AINT)
This is a conspiracy against Hillary. The only reason why Barack is winning is because in many states (in the primary)the republicans and independents CAN vote demoracratic and they are casting their vote for Barack..only to get Hillary out of the race,,,then in the election in November they are not going to vote for Barack. They know Macain cannot beat Hillary so they working with Barack to get rid of her now.. then and only then will they slaughter him with bad press and lack of experience.OPEN YOUR EYES VI PEOPLE.
DONNA, CAST YOU VOTE AS YOU SEE FIT!
NEW YORK!!
Definition of a Leader: One who people follow; somebody who guides or directs others; somebody in charge of others; the head of a nation, political party, legislative body, etc.
We don’t elect leaders to tell them what to do. We elect them to lead. This is universal. Besides, a few are saying that the Congresswoman is not following the will of the people. How do we know that? Did the V.I. voter populace in its entirety get an opportunity to voice their opinion on who they support? No they didn’t.
We ‘voted’ overwhelmingly several years back to reduce the size of the local senate. That has not materialized. Many supported having a CFO which the Congresswoman has tried to push through. That has not materialized. What are we saying/doing about these issues?
When it all boils down, members of the Electoral College, not the voters determine who becomes the President. While the U.S. purports democracy it is at its core a republic. In a true democracy every votes counts. In a republic, the power and entitlment to vote is exercised by a chosen few. This concept is supported every time one repeats the Pledge of Allegiance.
I’m sooooooo upset with the Delegate position on supporting Hillary…She is ignoring the people of the USVI. Lets look for her replacement, before she becomes a Ron Delugo.