What does the term 'delegates committed to a candidate not a party' refer to?

The term 'delegates committed to a candidate not a party' specifically refers to superdelegates within the context of the American political system, particularly in the Democratic Party. Superdelegates are party leaders and elected officials who are not bound by the results of primaries or caucuses. This means they can support any candidate they choose, regardless of which candidate won their state's primary election.

Superdelegates play a significant role in the nominating process as they can sway the outcome based on their individual commitments, reflecting their personal preferences rather than a direct representation of the electorate's choice. Their ability to commit to specific candidates rather than adhering strictly to party lines sets them apart from other types of delegates.

In contrast, conventional delegates are typically bound to support the candidate that receives the most votes in their state primary or caucus, making their commitment more aligned with the party’s direction. Similarly, popular vote delegates and independent delegates do not fit the description accurately, as they either represent the electorate’s vote or operate independently without being tied to a specific candidate. Therefore, superdelegates uniquely embody the characteristic of being committed to an individual candidate rather than the party as a whole.