County Commissioner and Superdelegate, Carol Peterson: Transparency, Please.

Here’s Carol Peterson’s reply to the Raleigh News-Observer regarding her role as a DNC Superdelegate:

“I really am doing a lot of talking with folks in the party and a lot of research on both candidates,” she told Dome. “Senator Clinton brings so much experience, while Senator Obama brings so much youth and energy and change. It’s going to be a tough process.”

Since her name was featured on the news as a superdelegate, Peterson said she has had her arms twisted by friends and Democratic officials, mostly for Clinton.

But she said she’ll make her decision based on which candidate is a better “standard-bearer” for the party.

“You’ve got to look at it for the long haul,” she said. “Who’s going to be doing what’s best for the country in three years and what is going to put them down as a wonderful president 20 years from now.”

Three days ago I sent this email to Commissioner Peterson. I have not received any response:

Commissioner Peterson,

Is it your intention to cast your superdelegate vote at the convention in favor of the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in Buncombe County? In the 11th Congressional District? In the state of North Carolina? Or do you use some other process to determine how you vote?

How do you make this decision?

I’d like to post your response or lack of response online.

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Gordon Smith

If you’re curious as well, please contact Commissioner Peterson here. As we’ve seen with other elected leaders, they feel they can ignore constituent questions if the constituent is a local blogger. It takes others contacting them to help them realize that they’re obligated to operate transparently and honestly.

While I’m fairly confident that Senator Obama is going to win the nomination without much ado about superdelegates, it’s vital that voters know our votes will be represented by our Superdelegates. In an important election year for the Buncombe County Commission, voters need to know that our leaders are willing to represent our desires, not the desires of an elite group at the top. Commissioner Peterson’s statement in the News Observer is disturbing in that it suggests she won’t take the voters’ preference into consideration when casting her supervote.

You can help by emailing Commissioner Peterson today.