Clinton mulling convention role
Barack Obama is dismssing suggestions that his nomination at the Democratic National Convention could be spoiled by lingering rancor between his supporters and those of Hillary Clinton.
"As is true in all conventions, we're still working out the mechanics, the coordination," Obama told reporters on his campaign plane Thursday, according to the Associated Press. One such issue is whether there will be a convention roll call on Clinton's nomination, he said.
The issue arose anew Wednesday when a video surfaced suggesting that Clinton apparently isn't closing the door to having her name placed in nomination.
Clinton is expected to give the keynote speech on Aug. 26, the second night of the convention.
UPDATE: Late Thursday, Democratic officials told the Associated Press that former President Bill Clinton will deliver a speech on the third night of the convention, just before an address by the vice presidential nominee. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity before the details were formally announced.
And some of her loyalists are planning a march in Denver on Aug. 26, the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage and the day Clinton is expected to give the keynote speech. The grassroots group, called "18 Million Voices" -- a nod to the number of votes Clinton won during the Democratic primaries -- says it wants to celebrate women getting the vote and to honor Clinton.
In a video posted on YouTube and uncovered by ABC News Wednesday, Clinton told a group of supporters last week that she is looking for a way for her delegates to be heard at the convention.
Asked whether her name will be put into nomination on the first ballot, she answered, "I'm asked this question every day."
"We're trying to work all this through with the Obama campaign and the DNC," she added.
Clinton also said that Democrats would come out of the convention stronger and more unified if her delegates believed they had been treated well.
"It's a catharsis," she said.
In a video posted on her website Wednesday, Clinton was more circumspect. She thanked supporters who are helping her repay campaign debt, urged them to elect Obama, and said she was looking forward to the convention. She said her backers should check back to her website to find out her plans. "Please stay tuned," Clinton said.
Wednesday night, the Obama and Clinton camps issued a rare joint statement: "We are working together to make sure the fall campaign and the convention are a success. At the Democratic Convention, we will ensure that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected and our party will be fully unified heading into the November election.”
In a web chat today with her supporters, she said, "Senator Obama and I are working together to make sure it's a big success."
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It's not a catharsis, it's a stupid selfish act. There is no way to look good, if she gets a lot of votes, it will undermine Obama, if she doesn't, it will show how many went to Obama, and not her. She's enjoying the attention, selfish jerk.
Hillary: Please run and win the nomination
I'm beginning to seriously consider that both Clintons - each in their own way - have a screw loose. Obama won - get over it!
Please, would somebody tell the Clintons to shut up, retire, and go and play golf. Folks, their time is over. They had eight years at the White House and they do not deserve any more time there.
The USA is not a Kingdom, not a monarchy so let the CLINTONS / BUSHES vanish into their make believe kingdoms! America would not come to a standstill just because the CLINTONS/BUSHES are not at the White House.
Hilliary Clinton could have won the President for the Democrat but they turn her away.Sometimes things happen for a reason and in this case it will proove to the Party how unwise choosing Obama causes them the election.
as a lifelong dem, if hillary is not part of the democratic ticket, then I'm not voting democrat this time.
how dare they NOT include hillary as the VP - SHE EARNED IT.
Uncovered by ABC today? That video has been around the internet for a couple of days. It's been featured on many of the pro-Hillary sites. The MSM is slow and biased. It just can't get its eyes off O-BA-MA. I just turn off my TV and go back to the internet which is where I'm reading this today.
what is happening,i can't believe that there will not be a roll call vote,if this does not happen there is no way i'am staying in the 'democratic' party.
Some of you people act like Hilary losing the nomination was some sort of edict sent down by the Democrat Gods on High. AMERICA voted for Obama! Get over it. Your candidate lost. This isn't a basketball game. Drop the rivalry and move on, the Democratic Party and the United States needs solidarity right now, not some selfish infighting amongst a bunch of cry baby sore losers. The fact that she worked hard and "earned it" is meaningless. She didn't get enough votes, she lost. Even if Florida and Michigan had fair elections, she would have lost.
Obama lucked out in the primaries by building up an early lead primarily due to the caucuses. The caucuses were tailored to the unemployed and students as often others cannot make the evening or all day caucus times.
Once Hillary started highlighting Obama's weakness on experience and leadership (2 "minor" requirements for the presidency), she often whupped his butt in the regular straight up primaries. Same as McCain will do to Obama in the general election.
Hillary has earned any and all exposure at the convention.
As for Florida and Michigan, did you notice how now it's ok per Obama to include all of their electoral votes that he has gained enough for the nomination? Same old Obama. He's soooo dishonest and disingenuous. And this is "change"?? Nope, it's the same old political crapola we've had to deal with for eons. What a phoney!!!
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I say let's have a good old convention floor fight. 18 million voters said "Hillary" and rejected Obama. The only reason Obama is the presumed nominee is due to shenanigans done by the Rules & Bylaw Committee. Hillary didn't lose, the RBC handed it to Obama. For the DNC to have any credibility, they need to have a legitimate convention vote. If they're so sure everyone has really unified behind Obama, they have nothing to fear by allowing a vote. With this being the closest democratic primary ever, the only way one candidate can emerge as 'elected' and NOT as 'selected' is to vote. Go PUMA!
Hillary - PLEASE GO AWAY and take your lady convention terrorists with you.
There is a possibility that Hillary just might consider signing the petition when she see's the request numbers, at the convention......I think being so adamant about not wanting John McCain in office might compell her and the DNC to reconsider....After all we were also suppose to fall in line by now.... Quite frankly after 8 years with an unqualified, arrogant Bush & Cheney who wouldn't think twice before shooting ya in the back(lol). we really don't want a repeat with Obama.... So Hillary in Denver or John McCain all the way....
Hey PUMA from DisUnity.
Obama AND Hillary both agreed to the rules in Michigan and Florida. In fact, it was Hillary who bitched and moaned when the rules she agreed to didn't work out in her favor. The Democratic rules committee settled it on May 31. And yet you continue to whine. In fact, why am I wasting my time trying to debate a whiny loser?
Nate said "the Democratic Party and the United States needs solidarity right now, not some selfish infighting amongst a bunch of cry baby sore losers."
If you want solidarity you need to realize that nearly half the party wanted Hillary. Yes she lost, but don't be stupid. Many of those supporters truly do not like Obama. I am one of those. If Hillary isn't part of the ticket then I (and many others) will not vote for Obama and McCain will win. Do you want that? Then get over it and realize that Hillary is a force and could help tip the scales. She should be the nominee for VP in the name of solidarity.
To all of you who want Hillary as VP......That would be the biggest mistake for the Democratic Party. She comes with so much baggage, including her husband, that the Republican Party would have a field day! Bill's financials for his Library and Foundation are very questionable, at best. During the primary, she was shown to have "stretched the truth" to suit her politically, and "screech" at times during her speeches. A lot of people are also conveniently overlooking the televised speech she gave when she "mocked" Obama ("the heavens will open up and hope will flow down on us", or something along those lines). The Republicans would simply "slice and dice" her, and therefore, once again, the Democrats will lose the election.
I can't believe that the Clintons are acting like two year olds, throwing a major tantrum because she didn't win the nomination. This is not the way an Ex-President and former first lady should be acting; it’s a disgrace to the USA. If Obama loses it will be because of the Clintons actions and I believe that is what they want to happen so she can run in 4 years and say I told you I was the better candidate for President. So I say CLINTONS GO HOME TO LITTLE ROCK you’re an embarrassment to the USA .
To all of you who want Hillary as VP......That would be the biggest mistake for the Democratic Party. She comes with so much baggage, including her husband, that the Republican Party would have a field day! Bill's financials for his Library and Foundation are very questionable, at best. During the primary, she was shown to have "stretched the truth" to suit her politically, and "screech" at times during her speeches. A lot of people are also conveniently overlooking the televised speech she gave when she "mocked" Obama ("the heavens will open up and hope will flow down on us", or something along those lines). The Republicans would simply "slice and dice" her, and therefore, once again, the Democrats will lose the election.
As long as I can remember, when a candidate wins the nomination in their party, most of the party members rally behind the winner. What is happening today in the Democratic party is very childish.
If Hillary didn't run and Obama won against only men, would we be seeing this behavior? If Obama didn't run and Hillary still lost to a white man, would we see this same intensity of discontent?
I think a lot of people in this party might be better off in doing some soul searching rather than acting like the terrible two stage in their childhood. The Clintons lost and are acting like spoiled kids along with many of their worshipers.
Obama will receive the Democractic nomination, this we can all agree is a fact. The point we must truly consider is whether or not Clinton is the right choice to accompany Obama on the Democratic ticket as his VP candidate. Obama must weigh the odds in this situation. On one hand with Clinton as a running mate Obama will have a very strong advantage with some of the strong minority voting blocs in the country; both women and the latino population have been consistently strong supporters of the Clintons, paricularly Hillary. However, on the other hand Clinton does come with a considerable amount of baggage; mainly, Former President Clintion as well as the old party politics stigma that Clinton has branded across her.
Whatever Obama's decision may be, whether it be Clinton's name on the ticket or not, Democrats (even those that supported Hillary) must keep in mind that Obama is not the enemy. We may have some doubts about Barrack's ability to lead our nation but look at our options. Barrack Obama may not be our favorite choice, but he is the better of the two choices none the less. Obama will more closely represent what we as Democrats support when compared to McCain. So all you Hillary supporters really have to think of who is actually more similar to the person you wish was the DNC nominee. Look at the issues, it was clear in the primary that Obama and Clinton were not so varied on the issues as they were on experience and electability. Support the person who agrees with Hillary on most issues. Support Obama.
This whole election process has been more corrupt than in 2004. If anyone has undermined Obama, It is the DNC or "Democrat Gods on High" if you prefer. They've made him believe he is already the President. Moved the whole DNC headquarters to Chicago to be near all his corrupt buddies, pimped out his 747 with a lazy-boy with "President" already embroidered on it in the God-class section: (google) Had the U.S. flag replaced his "Big O" symbol on the tail of the jet- he sure likes symbols-his own of course. Now, he evidently thinks he might get his mug on a dollar bill- the Rolling Stone wasn't good enought for Obie-One. And all you pip-squeak obie-emo kids can go cry in a corner- we don't give a damn what you think or say. You should know that by now.
Why do people keep saying that Hillary agreed last year to the disenfranchisement of Florida and Michigan. I'm not from Michigan, but to anyone from Florida the idea that the entire Democratic Aristocracy agreed together over a year ago to suspend our constitutional rights doesn't matter a fig. If they did in fact agree to this then shame on them. Anybody else think it is time for a moratorium on lawyers in government. Anybody else think neither Hillary or Barack or even old Mr. McCain is anything other than a smarmy, scary corporate front. Anybody else think Donna Brazille and Wexler and Wasserman the traitors need to go to prison. What is this- Obama is not the enemy. He is the ring leader of a bunch of hacks and thugs who conspired to strip me and my sisters of our first real vote. God/dess get him.
Below is a copy of a message I just read. I would like to copy it many, many times. Here goes . . . . . . . Obama AND Hillary both agreed to the rules in Michigan and Florida. In fact, it was Hillary who bitched and moaned when the rules she agreed to didn't work out in her favor. The Democratic rules committee settled it on May 31. And yet you continue to whine. In fact, why am I wasting my time trying to debate a whiny loser? . . . .Yep, that's what happened. How come there are so many of you that don't remember the facts?
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