Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT     CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, May 12, 2008 Republican's YouTube ode to superdelegates By Jeff Switzer Herald Writer ARLINGTON -- For Republican Chris Nandor, inspiration struck while mowing his lawn. Listening to a "Face the Nation" podcast, he decided it was time to write a political love song. The object of his affection: the Democratic party's superdelegates. His song and video are new on YouTube and follow in the vein of his big hit last fall -- which won him a spot on CNN during the YouTube GOP presidential candidate debate. The lyrics of his new song reflect the angst within the Democratic party about the power wielded by superdelegates in the presidential primary, Nandor said. "Democrats are complaining about superdelegates overturning their voice," Nandor said. The computer programmer shrugs at questions about where he stands on the topic. He said he sees both sides. On one hand, superdelegates are resented as elites, but they also are part of the rules the party adopted years ago, he said. The Democratic party has roughly 800 superdelegates who are gaining leverage as state presidential primaries wrap up and Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton close in on the delegates needed to be the party's nominee. The superdelegate system is "just the way it is," Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz said. Chuckling at the lyrics of "the cute little ditty," Hintz said it's good to have a sense of humor about these things. Just the same, superdelegates "don't have any more votes than anyone else," Hintz said. "I don't see (the song) as being relevant or accurate." Nandor's last political song has been viewed 890,000 times. He said the fame was fleeting and he doesn't dwell on it. The new song has been seen only about 300 times after being promoted on the Sound Politics Web site where Nandor blogs. He keeps his political songs simple: no more than five chords. "The shorter the better. People don't like getting beat over the head over and over. If your song has a point, don't belabor it," Nandor said. "Usually political songs are a novelty and by that nature they get old pretty quickly. "Make your point, and make sure it ends while they're still laughing." 'Superdelegate' Hear the song and see the video at heraldnet.com. Superdelegate, I don't know you, but I love you Superdelegate, you make me feel warm inside Superdelegate, I didn't vote for you But I really think you're super, Superdelegate We can't trust ourselves to choose 'Cuz we've got so much to lose So we ask you, please Protect us from ourselves I will use my voice I will state my choice I will stand up and be counted But not as much as you -- Lyrics and music by Chris Nandor, aka "Pudge"

1. Man arrested in fatal shooting of brother 2. Highway 9 crash victims memorialized 3. Taxes needed to close state's growing deficit? 4. Confrontation led to elderly man's death, police say 5. Fire sends shoppers fleeing JC Penney at Alderwood 6. Snohomish salon owner has a venture with style 7. Pearl Harbor's voices of the past 8. Vikings’ Henderson breaks leg against Cardinals 9. Boeing shares soar as 787 first flight draws near 10. New law aims to deny some felons bail 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million