I have to say, yesterday's roll call was exciting because it was symbolic and gracious and energizing.
When they got to New Mexico, the delegates "yielded" to Illinois, and I didn't know exactly what that meant but then Illinois yielded to New York and in walks Hillary, circled by a horde of photographers.
Then Hillary moved to nominate Obama and that was moving. Rival nominates rival. It signified the end of any divisions. It couldn't have been done any better. On this blog, no more PUMAs, no more NoBamas, no more drama between Hillary and Obama camps. We're moving ahead.
Salon: For all the stories about the dysfunctional tensions between the Clinton and Obama camps in the last two weeks, it's worth singling out what may remain the best moment of this convention, even after Barack Obama blows everyone away at Invesco Field Thursday night. And that was Wednesday's roll call vote. It was handled with an incredible dignity and sweetness that went a long way to redeeming the bitter feelings on both sides. It even had a tiny bit of suspense, not about the outcome, but exactly how it would end.
And when Illinois yielded to New York, and Hillary Clinton, speaking from the floor, in the heart of her delegation, moved to nominate Barack Obama by acclamation, well, that was catharsis. Sometimes catharsis is angry, sometimes it's quiet and calm; wholeness is restored. The entire roll-call process was a healing ritual handled by both sides with kindness and even tenderness, which you rarely see in politics.
Read the rules here. Alabama = 48 votes for Obama; 5 for HRC Alaska = 15 votes for Obama; 3 for HRC American Samoa = all 9 votes for Obama; pays tribute to Hawaii for nurturing Obama Arizona = 40 votes Obama; 27 votes HRC Arkansas = 47 Obama. California = passes? Colorado = 55 for Obama; 15 for HRC Connecticut = 38 Obama; 21 HRC Delaware = All 23 votes to Obama. Go Delaware! The first state to cast all votes for Obama. Dems abroad = 8.5 Obama; 2.5 HRC District of Columbia= 33 for the co-sponsor of the DC voting rights act Obama; 7 for HRC. Florida = one vote for one person and we have cast 166 for Obama; 51 HRC, 1 abstention. Georgia = birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 82 for Obama; 18 for HRC. (They all have to say something good about their states before they speak) Guam = 4 Obama; 3 HRC Hawaii = 26 for Obama, our native son; 1 HRC Idaho = Gave Obama his largest winning margin in the primary 20 for Obama; 3 votes HRC Illinois = passes Indiana = Home of Sen. Evan Bayh 75 Obama; 6 HRC. Iowa = I (a soldier in his combat boots) represent the great state of Iowa where it all started with Barack Obama. 48 for Obama; 9 HRC. Kansas = birthplace of grandparents of Obama and home of Obama's momma, Kathleen Sebelius 34 for Obama; 6 for HRC. Kentucky = we're working to turn the bluegrass blue. 36 for Obama; 24 for HRC. Louisiana = home of gumbo and shrimp in recovery from Katrina 43 Obama; 7 HRC. Maine = as Maine goes so does the nation (I didn't know that) 24 Obama; 8 HRC. Maryland = 94 Obama; 6 HRC Massachussets = Home of Sen. Ted Kennedy, Boston Red Sox, and the rest of those sporting teams. They are proud. First in equality of marriage in U.S. 65 Obama; 52 HRC. Michigan = 125 Obama; 27 HRC. Minnesota = 78 Obama; 8 HRC. Yes we can chants Mississippi = 33 Obama; 8 HRC. Missouri = Home of Claire McCaskill, the belwhether state 82 Obama; 6 HRC. Montana = first woman majority leader in Montana and a cattle rancher announced 18 for Obama; 7 HRC. They soaked up their moment. Nebraska = 28 Obama; 3 HRC. Nevada = 25 Obama; 8 HRC. Home to Harry Reid. Obama has a vision for the West and keeping nuclear waste out of Yucca Mtn. More Yes we can chants. New Hampshire = unity is more than just a town. We answer Hillary's call to unite and casts all 30 votes for Obama. New Jersey = Home of the Giants, Bon Jovi, all 127 votes for Obama. New Mexico = home to 22 native American tribes, red and green chiles, Bill Richardson, yields to Illinois, hometown of Obama, which now casts its vote after passing earlier, yields to NY. What's all this yielding stuff? New York = Hillary's home, Hillary arrives and declares Obama president (oops, the presidential nominee). Moves to suspend the roll call. I move Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois be selected as the nominee. Is there a second? All in favor please say aye. Big aye. Love train is playing. Alas, Obama is the official nominee!
Here are the roll call details. Whatever. This strikes me as nitwitty, on the verge of lunacy. It's nothing but symbolic. At this point, we should just nominate Hillary and spare Obama. I don't think America is ready for enlightened leadership yet. I'm having a bad day.
CNN: But on a Wednesday morning conference call with reporters, campaign officials said that a joint statement from the Obama and Clinton campaigns laying out the roll call process had been sent to state delegation chairs Tuesday night.
Vote tally sheets have been given to the state chairs, who will distribute them to the members of their delegations. They are reviewing them at state delegation breakfasts in Denver this morning.
From about 5 to 7 p.m. ET – 3 to 5 p.m. MT – the official party roll call will take place. First, a speaker will nominate Clinton, then another will nominate Obama. Two people will second Clinton’s nomination, and three will do the same for Obama. The office of the Democratic National Committee’s secretary will collect the tally sheets, and roughly half an hour of speeches will be followed by a state roll call. After its completion, each candidate’s total will be announced by the state chairs.
