February 12, 2008 Examining the role of super-delegates Play video

(NECN) - If the delegate count between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton stays as close as it has been, look for the so-called "super-delegates," to play a key role in the nominating process.

There are 796 Democratic super-delegates nationwide - almost twice the number of delegates from California. They include each state's highest ranking Democratic elected officials - Democratic National Committee members and other select party leaders like former presidents and former DNC Chairs.

The idea to create super-delegates began to form after the 1972 presidential election in which George McGovern was the Democratic Party nominee. He went on to suffer one of the biggest defeats in American History.

Harvard Kennedy School Professor Elaine Kamarck is an at large member of the Democratic National Committee and therefore, also a super-delegate from Massachusetts. She was a member of the Hunt Commission that in 1982, decided to include ex-officio delegates to the convention so as to avoid excluding the leaders of the party from the nominating convention.

Kamarck says, "the idea was the nominee would get chosen in the primaries and caucuses and then the super-delegates would be there to help the party win in November."

Phil Johnston says, "the fact is, if we are going to have a Democratic system, 'small-D' then let's keep it Democratic and not have these inside players make the decision."

Johnston, a former Massachusetts Party Chair and Obama

There is one important wild card when it comes to the super-delegates. While most are committed to a candidate by the time they go to the National Convention, there is nothing to say they can't change their mind at the last second. Currently, less than half are committed.

NECN's Alison King has more.