Hattiesburg mayor says superdelegate system will change

PHILADELPHIA - The Democratic Party's system for selecting superdelegates may change by the next presidential election to treat presidential candidates more fairly, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree said Tuesday at the party's national convention here.

“It may even give more opportunities for more people,’’ DuPree said. “I think it helps to open up the field of people who might attempt to do something on a national level. Hopefully, it’s proportional (and) it’s pledged so you come here with a better feel for where you are.’’

DuPree was among 25 people appointed to the Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schutlz, the DNC's outgoing chairwoman. The standing committee has 187 members, most of whom are not appointed.

Mississippi voices from the DNC in Philadelphia

“It was an honor for Mississippi and certainly, I think, for Hattiesburg,’’ DuPree said.

Wasserman Schutlz announced Sunday she will step down as DNC head at the end of the four-day convention.  She made her decision in response to leaked emails showing the DNC worked to undermine Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign against Hillary Clinton for the party's presidential nomination.

The Rules Committee determines convention rules, which Sanders said treated him unfairly.

MoveOn.Org Politcal Action and a coalition of Sanders' supporters launched separate petitions calling on superdelegates, the 712 elected officials and party leaders who are free to support the candidate they wish at each convention, to vote in line with the results of state primaries and caucuses.

Hundreds of Sanders’ supporters protested Tuesday outside the media area at the convention, saying Sanders lost to Clinton in the nomination race because the party system was rigged against him.

Bernie Sanders supporters hound Mississippi Democratic delegates

DuPree said it was important for the Rules Committee to consider Sanders’ concerns.

“This whole thing is about unity,’’ said DuPree . “The committee members did what should have been done — they compromised both sides.’’

The committee set up a 21-member commission, which will include people chosen by Clinton and Sanders. The commission is expected to release a report by January 2018 with recommendations on how to address the number of superdelegates.

DuPree said he expects the commission will propose reducing the number of superdelegates by two-thirds. Governors and federal elected officials would remain among the superdelegates. The rest would be pledged based on the primary results in each state.

“That’s fair,’’ DuPree said. “I think that’s democracy at its best. When it’s proportionate — based on the election of the state, I think that’s what it should be. The people speak first.’’

LIVE: Democratic Convention on social media

Had the system been in place this election, the outcome between Sanders and Clinton might have been much closer, DuPree said. “This would be a really, really close race,’’ he said.

While it’s too late for this election, DuPree said “that’s what democracy is about — people looking at a situation and making the situation better.’’

--

Contributing: Nicole Guadiano, USA TODAY

--

Contact Deborah Barfield Berry at dberry@gannett.com. Twitter: @dberrygannett