Jeff Swensen via Getty Images
By Matthew A. McIntosh / 04.01.2016
Bernie Sanders won 81.6% of the Democratic caucus vote in Alaska, yet Kim Metcalfe – a Democratic Party superdelegate from Alaska – is firm that she will still cast her vote for Hillary Clinton.
Levi Younger, a recent political science graduate, had a conversation with Metcalfe on Facebook and tried to make the point that her personal vote at caucus was her business but that she should represent the state with her superdelegate vote. His plea fell on deaf ears with downright insulting responses in spite of the civil tone with which he approached her.
Metcalfe made clear that she is simply not open to changing her mind and finally ended up comparing Younger to the mentality of Donald Trump for having the absolute nerve to ask her to represent the people of the state she represents as a superdelegate.
Younger saved the conversation and sent it out for all to see:
Younger (Sanders supporter): “While I understand your personal preferences would naturally come first (you are human after all) and conversations with Bernie supporters (not the man himself) would possibly leave a bad taste in your mouth, I believe that the people’s vote should probably have heavier precedent. Unless you were implying that it’s we are in charge of who you vote for, but rather something/someone else. Sanders will only be our nominee if those we’ve chosen to represent us do exactly that.”
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “Again, negative conversations about our candidates do nothing to further Sanders’s cause.”
Younger (Sanders supporter): “I’m not sure how negative it is to question your voting discretion in spite of overwhelming support. If critiquing Hillary or your apprehension to accurately vote for those you represent is negative, then I’m not sure you’re the one I’d like representing me.”
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “Because I believe Hillary Clinton would be a better president. End of conversation.”
Younger (Sanders supporter): “And that’s why people get angry. Bernie supporters can be quite vapid. But voting in opposition to what we voted for is only supporting the idea that Hillary and her supporting super delegates are in the pockets of others… Bernie won in Alaska. End of story. Your personal preferences for president are represented in your vote as a citizen. Not as a representative of your state.”
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “I’m in the pocket of no one. I have no financial connections to Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat. I am a retired union representative. I put in my time in the trenches for 40 years, and I really object to someone like you who has probably done nothing except caucus telling me what to do. I am voting for the best interests of my country. And that would be Hillary Clinton.”
Younger (Sanders supporter): “You’re not making a concerted effort to vote for the public. I am the public. Everyone who ‘did nothing but caucus’ did exactly like we should. We voted. You, ma’m[sic] are the one who is missing the point. You said it yourself, you’re voting for interests. But they’re not mine not the rest of the, what 75% of the state who opposed the Establishment (40 year Democratic veterans content with the status quo) and their choice for us.
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “You know it all.”
Younger (Sanders supporter): “Thank you for your time Kim. You’re stealing this for Hillary. And you’re rubbing it in all our faces. If you find these comments ‘negative’ it’s because what you are doing is wrong. As a citizen you get to vote for your choice. As a rep, you vote for us. In the end, we’ll hold you accountable.”
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “Sure. You’ll be involved after the election?”
Younger (Sanders supporter): “You better believe it now. Having someone tell you your vote doesn’t matter is enough to insight[sic] a riot.”
Metcalfe (superdelegate): “Now you’re talking like Donald Trump.”