To the editor:

I think the Democrat nomination for president has, for all intents and purposes, been decided subject to the unlikely event that almost all the so-called “super delegates” change their vote before or at the Democratic National Convention. Do “super delegates” allow party insiders the potential to manipulate the selection?

Unless a candidate receives a majority on the first vote at the Republican National Convention there will still be some suspense as to who the Republican candidate might be. After the first vote delegates can change their vote until one candidate receives a majority of delegate votes, thereby potentially overriding a strong plurality vote by primary and caucus attendees. Does that allow party insiders to manipulate the selection?

The Democrat National Committee and Republican National Committee are both private organizations, allowed to set their own rules. Do present rules relegate the popular vote of primary and caucus attendees secondary to votes cast or influenced by party insiders?

In his farewell address President George Washington warned about placing love for political party above country. Is such a possible happening peculiar to this election cycle, or are most of us just now recognizing that power rests with political party insiders rather than we the people?

Bob Jentges

North ?Mankato