US News
Democrats nominate first black presidential candidate (Roundup)
By Pat Reber Aug 28, 2008, 1:16 GMT
Delegates cheer at the nomination of Illinois Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado USA, 27 August 2008. EPA/TANNEN MAURY
Denver, Colorado - The Democratic Party Wednesday became the first major party to nominate an African-American for president, giving Barack Obama a huge majority nod and a deafening roar of approval to battle with presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.
Obama's one-time rival, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, helped orchestrate the near-unity nomination by releasing her delegates to vote their conscience and urging them strongly to back Obama and get to work ousting Republicans from the White House.
More than 30 states and territories cast their votes in alphabetical order, beginning with Alabama. When Obama had reached a a five-to-one lead over Clinton, her state took the floor and passed the microphone to her.
'Let's declare together in one voice right here, right now that Barack Obama is our candidate,' Clinton said, sending a mass wave of shouts and cheers rolling across the Pepsi Center convention hall. 'I move Senator Barack Obama be selected by acclamation as nominee.'
Obama was approved with a resounding cry of 'aye' from more than 4,000 delegates. The delegation from Obama's native state of Hawaii waved American flags. The band struck up Love Train. Dancing and swaying erupted across the auditorium.
Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, told cheering supporters that Obama had accepted the nomination, ahead of his much awaited speech planned before 75,000 people on Thursday night at Invesco Field stadium.
The formal nomination ended weeks of nail-biting over the final vote procedure. The details were up in the air just hours before the nomination and subjected to endless media speculation.
Obama's campaign initially opposed having Clinton be formally nominated, although she won more than 40 per cent of the primary election and caucus votes. His backers finally gave in to Clinton's supporters, who gathered enough signatures on a petition to place her name in nomination.
Mary Boergers, a Maryland state senator who was outspoken in her criticism of any attempt to ignore Clinton's accomplishment for US women, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that she was satisfied with the outcome.
'It was what we were looking for,' she said. 'She really worked hard getting people to switch to Obama.'
At the moment Clinton moved to end the roll call vote, the delegate count stood at 1549.5 for Obama to 341.5 for Clinton. That meant that many Clinton delegates had swung their voice to Obama. It was not clear if a paper tally of all state votes would be made.
Clinton met with her 1,800 delegates and pushed them to support Obama, just hours before the Democratic Party's delegates were to make the formal choice between two historic firsts - an African- American or woman presidential candidate.
'I am here to release you as my delegates,' Clinton said, sparking boos and cries of 'no' from the crowd.
Senator Obama, 47, had already secured the centre-left party's nomination after the long primary election season, so there was little suspense over the outcome. Party officials were determined, however, to weld an image of unity.
The state-by-state roll-call vote is anchored in party tradition, and had become largely ceremonial for unity candidates like Hillary's husband, former two-term president Bill Clinton.
The last major contested Democratic convention was 1980, when delegates chose former president Jimmy Carter over the liberal lion of the party, Senator Edward Kennedy.
The roll call procedure offers states the chance to shamelessly boast their regional pride, history and sports teams and mobilize voters for the November 4 general elections.
The American Samoa delegation wore elaborate native robes, while Guam delegates dressed in red dresses and trousers splattered with white flowers.
Georgia boasted of being the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. An Iraq war veteran announced Iowa's vote, saying he was wearing the 'same combat boots I wore in Iraq.'
Most Clinton delegates like Irene Kimball, 65, from Ludlow, Massachusetts, said they would follow Clinton's lead and work for Obama because of the failing economy, soaring prices and the need to end the war in Iraq.
Clinton's efforts to bring unity to the party impressed Angela Alsobrooks, 37, a Clinton delegate from Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
'How people act in defeat says everything about your character,' she said.
Others at the final meeting remained very bitter.
Raymond, 47, a delegate from California who would only give his first name, said the vote by acclamation would be a 'stab in the back for 18 million people' who had voted for her.
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Older Talkback
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..they sent the woman back to her desk...
If they stayed home and cast their vote via the Internet then they could have saved fuel, reducing dependence on foreign oil, they could have reduced green house emissions, and they could have donated the saved money to pay off the national debt.
All show and no go, as usual.
Black man as a presidential candidate? Who cares what the skin color is. Oops, I forgot, people still consider race to be an issue in the U.S. society. He swears up and down to be christian and definitely not muslim, does religion have something to do with people's biases (bigotry)? of course.
People are still not taking any personal responsibility.
You say: 'People are still not taking any personal responsibility.'
Of course not. As long as they believe in a god, they do not have to take personal responsibility, for it is all god's will. Talk about deluded.
never mind almost every single american watching never left their home. Indeed, a small price to pay, at double the cost, for the most successful democracy in the world.
If that’s what you want to call it. the system is so corrupt you are voting for the same person ether way. alright, so we are finally getting past the race thing, that’s great. what I really want is my freedom back.
I would like to know the final delegate vote count after the acclamation was made. I think it is unfortunate that the remaining states did not get to speak; I am sure they were originally excited about delivering their mini-speeches, presenting their vote tallies and cheering for the candidates. They must be disappointed, and they must feel disenfranchised.
Additionally, I think it will be unfortunate if the final delegate vote count is not revealed. A large chunk of voters (and delegates) would not have their voices heard. Does unity matter more than the Democratic process?
Nancy Pelosi was sure in a rush to make sure no one objected to the acclamation.
Charlotte Laws
Los Angeles, California
'never mind almost every single american watching never left their home. Indeed, a small price to pay, at double the cost, for the most successful democracy in the world.'
Yup, there are 1001 excuses for not taking personal responsibility.
'most successful democracy in the world.'
Sorry to inform you: The U.S. is not a democracy by any definition of the word. At best, it is a constitutional state.
For example: You can't vote to bring back slavery, repeal abortion or start a war against muslims. Such issues are determined by judges interpreting the constitution, or presidents without your vote or approval.
Blaimed the Republicans for stealing the election in 2000. Now they are blaiming themselves for stealing this election. LOL.
Need a spell check.
The American Republic returns on September 11, 2008, Revised
A Letter to The United States Congress and to The American People
Americans have lost their way by choice and coercion propagated by those that wish to have it all. Americans that have plenty are not bothered by the confusion and rape of the land and its people. The Americans that outnumber the wealthy are the ones that suffer in America. The idea of a Republic of America was an original perfect form of government. The ones that made the choice to write on paper their ideas for a perfect form of government were themselves imperfect. The document called the Constitution is a promise on paper and in spirit to Americans to protect and to serve Americans, our Nation with truth. That has not happened, thus the discord and confusion within our nation to Americans.
Our Nation, our Homeland has been sold, raped, and ravaged by many outsiders and insider traitors, which have allowed our eagle our National symbol to be locked in a cage with little sustenance. Our Star our symbol of truth has been buried in the sand with the trash of other nations.
This is not acceptable, and will be resolved.
Our current Congress has forsaken our nation by giving little and taking so much for themselves and their financial supporters. Congress has allowed Capitalist Businesses from within and out to take over our Nation and rule by the power of selfish money and lies.
Our Great and once powerful Military are ruled by those that give false and deceptive orders coupled by untruthful commands. They, the soldiers of our fortunes are engaged in ambiguous battle campaigns fighting under and for False Flag counter intelligence fueled by deceptive propaganda rhetoric. Human lives on all sides are dying for the few that have lost their way thru choice.
Our President, our leader of our Nation has with his advisors and financial empire brokers reinforced the ultimate crime to humanity by lying to himself, his family and his country. Our business leaders have lied to our Nation and prostituted our ingenuity to others for unnatural profit.
There are too many Americans that have some or little or none, and that Ladies and Gentlemen is not acceptable. Congress and others have failed to provide even the basics for our Nation to thrive. Too many selfish secrets, many which are known amongst a few, are tearing our Nation and Planet apart. By allowing those that know what lies behind the looking glass, to control the masses at will is an affront to GOD.
There is too much advertised hatred and racial prejudice fed by ignorance and choice. Religions have taken front seat to freedom and truth, thus confusing those that wish to know the truth, by self-choice.
On September 11, 2008, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, we Americans can and will make a choice to free our Eagle from its cage of captors, allowing it to be stronger and fly higher than ever before, and unearth and restore our Star to its rightful brilliance from the sand of trash of other Nations, and take back our country from those that have stolen it from us all. Annuit Copetis.
We have learned from the past, and we have learned from the present, now we will make a choice to either continue with America as is, or Change America to a True Republic that truly represents the sincere interests of its people and other Nations. It is not an impossible task to overcome; all it takes is an honest choice and the will to sacrifice.
We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.
We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, and we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.
We are a growing nation of people that encourage all Americans to become part of the New American Republic!
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America
A Sovereign Republic
I wonder what Obama stand is on the abortion issues ?? Case in point. I know this woman named Anita M. Chargin, very healthy. She became pregnant, and and received an abortion, just because she didn't want to give up her horse. They later divorced. He became upset how a woman could say, 'I want this thing out of me'. He will not walk anywhere near a playground. I have tried to find him help and guidance, but there is nothing out there for him. When a woman that is perfectly healthy, and has an abortion, regardless what her husband says, should be held responsible, for all mental stress she places on the father of the child. When will men have a say in the abortion issue, after all that is their child also.............
And so it is................
obamas stand on abortion is to abort anyone named sp4.
It is good if it helps to feed the people.
good, true spot on post.
I don't think this woman is the only one at fault - she had an unscrupulous doctor or maybe the entire facts just aren't available to everyone about this. There are two sides.
In this candidates mind, a doctor, who just attempted but failed an abortion, is allowed to, once the child has exited the womb alive, just let it die, without any attempt to save, what is now, a child that has arrived in this world, even if it does have a scalpel in it's head, which he put there.
This is the most radical position on abortion of any president in history.
Who's playing god now?
'Who's playing god now?'
Well, ..., actually: People die all the time from lack of attempts to save them. Infact: Everyone dies that way. Doctors and Scientists could easily keep your body function for years without your approval. One day, they may be able to resurrect brain function as well. So that your major organs may fail, but they can put you on millions of dollars of hardware and then force you to think by using another machine. You may not think well, but at least it is something.
It sounds gruesome to some. One day, perhaps, SP4 will be a head hooked up to an electrical and mechanical system while his resurrected head will be screaming to let him die.
But, I will remind the doctors with his posts that he does not believe in such things. Just think of it SP4: Eternal life here on Earth! Brought to you by the doctors you want ... the ones that actually do play god!
SP the mind reader!
Wow.
Barack HUSSEIN Obama.
The man of CHANGE!
I totally hate that word now as the mullato has abused it to the point of death.
Hey dumb lefties, Obama IS NOT AFRICAN-AMERICAN as his mother was WHITE WHICH MAKES HIM AN OREO AND NOT BLACK!!!!
Can anyone tell me 1 blasted thing he has CHANGED in Illinois, but as I live here I can say nothing has been done as the twad lives in my district.
Obama, a man of NO CHANGE and a product of Hollywood hype and nonsense.
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Great!!Aug 28th, 2008 - 01:23:09
Right on to the White house!
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