"What is a Superdelegate in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination? What is the history behind the awarding of these delegates?

"A "superdelegate" is a party leader, an elected official or otherwise, who is made an automatic delegate at the party nominating convention. This person is not required to win his or her place in a primary or in a caucus. They have a spot at the convention no matter what.

"The so-called superdelegate was created as a "reform" within the Democratic nominating process for the 1984 elections. Party leaders felt that the process had gotten away from them and was overly geared to primary voters and caucus-goers."


http://texasliberal.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/history-of-the-superdelegate/