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I'm here at the Denver Convention Center where hundreds (thousands?) of Clinton delegates are lined up to see Hillary Clinton address them prior to today's roll call vote. Earlier today delegates began casting ballots and, according to The AP, "Clinton delegates are moving toward Obama."
A swell of Hillary Rodham Clinton delegates said they were casting their presidential nominating votes for Barack Obama on Wednesday, encouraged by her speech urging them to fall in line behind the party's certain nominee.The delegates received their ballots at stage delegation breakfast meetings. A roll call vote was scheduled for later in the afternoon after brief nominating speeches for both Clinton and Obama. The former rivals negotiated a plan that would cut off the split roll call after a few states -- perhaps by Clinton herself -- in favor of acclamation for Obama.
I spoke to a Clinton delegate from Oregon who told me that Hillary's speech inspired him to "see the big picture and not my own feelings about the DNC." He said that a lot of Hillary delegates have been holding Obama responsible for decisions they now believe were Howard Dean's (i.e not putting Hillary in nomination, not allowing a roll call vote) but now "more people are realizing it was Howard Dean and more people are thinking about the future and not their own anger." I question his premise but that's how he, and apparently many others like him, believe.
After the roll call vote and Obama is officially nominated, this particular Clinton delegate and 2 of his fellow delegates intend to rip off their Hillary Clinton shirts to reveal Obama shirts underneath.
This room is filling up fast. It's general admission, no chairs, with a stage in the front and a podium emblazoned with the blue "Change We Can Believe In" sign. People are now chanting "Hillary!"
Stay tuned...
Update [2008-8-27 15:29:10 by Todd Beeton]:By the way, several delegates told me they suspect Hillary will use this meeting to release her delegates, although she will not require them to vote for him.
Update [2008-8-27 16:5:44 by Todd Beeton]:Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia has taken the stage. "I am the Mayor of Philadelphia, I am a Pennsylvania Hillary delegate and most of all I am a huge fan of Hillary Clinton!" The place goes nuts.
Update [2008-8-27 16:5:44 by Todd Beeton]:OK, Hillary is here. The place is chanting "Hillary!"
Update [2008-8-27 16:5:44 by Todd Beeton]:"Was that some speech she gave last night, or what?" The place goes nuts. Nutter talked about the points Hillary made in her speech.
"She said she was proud to support Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States." APPLAUSE. "She said it's time to come together, unite as a party and elect a Democrat to the White House!" More applause.
"There was some hurt at the end of the primary process but let me tell you the hurt we feel today will be so much worse if John McCain is elected president."
Update [2008-8-27 16:5:44 by Todd Beeton]:Hillary is now speaking. "It's wonderful to see all of you so I could thank you." The place is cheering and chanting.
She's praising the delegates for the hard work that they did to become delegates.
"This has been a joy. Yes, we didn't make it but boy did we have a good time trying." "It is traditional that we have nominations, that we have a roll call. We have candidates that look for ways to work so we come out of here to win in November. I come here today to release you as my delegates." The place is mostly booing. "Noooooooooo!"
"What that means is that both Senator Obama's name and mine will be put into nomination this afternoon. I have spoken to many of you who have expressed your questions about what you should do. Many of you feel a responsibility to represent your voters. Others of you want the chance to vote what's in your heart. Still others will be voting for Senator Obama because they want to demonstrate their commitment to the party and the nomninee. So I am not telling you what to do."
"I signed my ballot this morning for Senator Obama."
"What is important to come out of today is that we nominate Senator Barack Obama and Joe Biden for the president and vice president of the United States."
Update [2008-8-27 16:7:54 by Todd Beeton]:"I want to win in November. I want to improve my winning percentage."
She just thanked her delegates and left the stage to much cheering.
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