Opinion: Superdelegates vs. Academy Voters
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Who are they, and how do you get in? Find out:
| Democratic superdelegates | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | |
| Number | 800 or so | 6,500-plus |
| Prominent members | All Democratic senators, governors, and representatives. | Tom Hanks is Vice President |
| Dates back to… | early 1980s | 1927 |
| What’s the point? | To bring party leaders back to the nominating process | ‘To advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures,’ according to their website. |
| Why do they matter? | They’ll pick the Democratic nominee for president if no one has a clear lead among regular delegates. | They choose who wins the Oscars. |
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| Last time anybody cared | 1952, when party bosses gave Adlai Stevenson the edge for the nomination. | Maybe 2005, when they picked the overrated ‘Crash’ for a surprise Best Picture. But it’s arguable whether they’ve ever mattered to anyone outside the industry. |
| Lobbied by | Obama has John Kerry calling on his behalf; Clinton has her husband, daughter, and even close friends of the superdelegates. | Studios can’t lobby voters directly, and ads are strictly regulated, but lobbying is pervasive. |
| How to become one | Be a high-ranking elected Democratic officeholder or a longtime party activist. | Be nominated by a member for your contributions to the industry, or through a competitive process, then wait for an invitation. |
| Which way are they leaning? | Many remain uncommitted, but Clinton has the lead among those who are decided. | Early bets are on ‘No Country for Old Men,’ but ‘Atonement’ won the Golden Globe |
| How long do they have to choose? | They can wait till August, but some predict they’ll pick before the convention, if need be. | Already voted. |