CODEY URGES HOWARD DEAN TO ENCOURAGE SUPER DELEGATES TO REFLECT "WILL" OF THE PEOPLE

 WEST ORANGE, NJ – Senate President Richard J. Codey today called upon National Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean to heed the will of the people and encourage Super Delegates to apportion their votes to accurately and fairly reflect the choice of voters in state party primaries and caucuses.  In doing so, Codey sent the following letter today:

February 21, 2008

Chairman Howard Dean

Democratic National Committee

430 S. Capitol St. SE

Washington, DC 20003

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I am writing to urge you to support the concept that the Democratic presidential nominee MUST be the choice of the tens of millions of Democrats who are participating in our primaries and caucuses.

In a year in which we have the opportunity to win back the White House and increase our majorities in Congress, it would be an unmitigated disaster if the super delegates overturned the popular vote and chose a different winner. A nominee other than the one chosen by the primaries and caucuses faces certain defeat.

The super delegates should allow the voice of the primaries and caucuses to be heard, and then ratify the choice of the voters.  As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, you can help assure a united party by urging super delegates to award their support in proportion to the vote received by each candidate in their state's primary or caucus.

At the moment, the Democratic Party is more energized than it has been in a generation. As long as we remain united, the legitimate choice of our voters, whether it is ultimately Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, can lead us to victory.

Let's not squander this historic opportunity.

Sincerely yours,

Richard J. Codey

Senate President

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