Why Did CNN Start Seperating Delegates

In My Humble Opinion
1

into pledged and superdelegates on their main page, here: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/

Or, the corollary, why didn’t they do it before?

2

  1. Superdelegates are less firmly pledged to their candidates than delegates won in primaries and caucuses, and so merit separate listing.

  2. People want to know, because the superdelegate concept has become controversial as the race continues to be close, with the possibility of a majority of superdelegates opposing a majority of voter-chosen delegates.

Because nobody cared. We lived through the previous four elections without anyone giving a rip about superdelegates.

3

Because CNN is the Clinton News Network. When the delegates were combined, Clinton looked good because she had the bigger number. Now that she’s way behind in the pledged delegates, she looks somewhat better with the delegates separated because she’s still ahead in the superdelegates.

4

Gah, board timeout ate my response…

To me, it makes her look -worse-, because it shows that the people want Obama, but the DNC wants Hillary (even though polls are showing her behind McCain?). I thought there would be a more elaborate answer, but I think you’re right, it’s just that simple.