Interview, Washington D.C., March 20, 2008
"No Ceremonial Process": Delegate Selection for the National Convention
Interview with Kevin Wolf,
Virginia's Delegate Selection Coordinator for the Obama Campaign
FES: Mr. Wolf, how are the delegates proportionally allocated to presidential candidates?
Wolf: You have to know that it is slightly different from state to state. Let's look at Virginia. At the February 12th primary, a total of 83 pledged delegates and 18 unpledged delegates, the so called "superdelegates", were at stake. Let's focus on the 83 pledged delegates. The division of pledged delegates is threefold:
congressional district delegates: number based on the results in each of the eleven congressional districts (54 of 83 delegates),
at large delegates: number based on the state-wide results (18 of 83 delegates)
pledged party leaders and elected officials: not to be confused with the unpledged superdelegates; number based on the state-wide results (11 of 83 delegates).
Additionally, we have the superdelegates. These 18 pledged party leaders and elected officials are free to vote for either candidate. As we know today, they are going to make a huge difference this year.
FES: Who decides which individuals actually attend the Democratic National Convention in August?
Wolf: Each congressional district in Virginia has its own convention on May 17th. In these conventions, the individuals who will become one of the 54 congressional district delegates are elected. Any Virginia resident who is registered to vote can be nominated and elected.
On June 14th we have a state-wide convention at which the at large delegates and pledged party leaders and elected officials are chosen. Again, any Virginia resident who is registered to vote can be nominated and elected.
What we additionally need to keep in mind is the notion of affirmative action in the Democratic Party. Based on the percentage of ethnic minorities in the state, these minorities need to be represented in the delegation going to Denver. Also, we split the spots between males and females 50/50.
FES: How do you make sure that the delegates pledged to Senator Obama really vote for him in Denver?
Wolf: As Virginia's Delegate Selection Coordinator for the Obama Campaign, it is my job to propose a list of dedicated supporters that the Obama campaign would like to have seated at the convention. These are usually people who have shown their support not only through words but through deeds. We would like to make sure that the delegates do not change their minds at the last minute. Remember that the delegates are bound practically but not legally. That's why we have a vetting process. In the end, both the congressional district conventions and the state-wide convention usually follow the campaign's proposals. After all, Americans take this process very seriously.