Here we are almost 8 years later and Florida gets to bask in the sun of controversy again.  No it's not hanging chads this time around but displaced delegates and voters.  In the wake of Florida and Michigan being stripped of their delegates, another very important statistic is now being manipulated by the spin masters: the popular vote.

According to Hillary, she now has the lead in the popular vote.  But wait, Barack counters that he is really ahead.  Hmmm, how can both Barack and Hillary have the most votes?  Suppose it's possible if they are tied, but we know that isn't the case.  Enter Florida and Michigan to stir the pot.

If the Florida and Michigan voters are counted, Hillary is ahead by roughly 100,000 votes.  So, looks like Hillary is ahead.  Nope, not according Barack since Florida and Michigan were stripped of their delegates and candidates agreed not to campaign in those states.  If Florida and Michigan's votes aren't considered, Barack is ahead of Hillary by 500,000 votes in round numbers.  So they're both ahead depending on your perspective on Florida and Michigan.

Let's not debate whether Florida or Michigan should be counted.  I'd like to finish this piece before the next election.  Instead, we should look at the significance of the popular vote.  For the time being, ignore the argument that could be made about why we continue to use the outdated delegate system in the 1st place (again, need to get this article finished).   In this primary cycle the Democratic nominee for President will ultimately be decided by the close door wrangling of superdelegates.  Yep, with over 30 million votes cast so far by Democrats, the primary will be decided by 793 men and women.

Able to leap over reason in a single bound

The 793 superdelegates of course like all of us are motivated by many different things.  Some are loyal to a candidate for geographic reasons others because of favors granted or promises of future positions made.  To look at the superdelegates as any different than the 30 million people that voted already is ludicrous.  But yet amongst themselves, outside of public view a decision will be made, one that may impact every person in this county and affect countless others around the globe.  With this weighty responsibility hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles, many are seeking the refuge of the popular vote.  Nancy Pelosi has stated that "Any outcome that appears to overturn the will of the voters can have a detrimental effect on us [Democrats]."

In this primary year where the improbable has become reality yet another hurdle has erupted from the ground.  Who has the popular vote: Hillary or Barack?  Right now, it depends on who you ask. 

I realize that our political system is imperfect at best, but letting 793 individuals potentially decide the next President of our country is far from sensible.  At least one thing is for certain, even when the last vote is cast in Montana and South Dakota, the race will be far from over.

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