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”
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