orichalcum

So, I've run or helped run a number of LARPs and RPGs which essentially came down to a voting system where you had a number of interest groups or individuals who each had a particular need or price for their vote - marriage for their daughter or a generalship or whatever.

Essentially, that's the game that Obama and Clinton are now playing with the remaining "undecided" superdelegates. You can say they're "voting their conscience," but articles like this, saying that SD Stephen Ybarra will give his vote to whichever candidate promises $20 million to register Mexican-American voters and get them to the ballot booth (read: walking-around money). Now, increasing voter turnout is a lofty goal. But still - the difference between this and a bribe? Pretty narrow.

I suspect the next few weeks are going to involve a lot of backroom deals that may have unfortunate long-term consequences for Obama in terms of promises he's forced to make. I've played that game. There's always the last person or two where you sigh and hope something will happen so you don't have to deliver on their ridiculous price. And then it comes back Sunday morning and bites you in the arse.