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Clinton, Obama Deal Could Let Supporters Disrupt Convention
by FOXNews.com
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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June 27: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama wave during a campaign event in Unity, N.H., their first appearance together after Clinton dropped her presidential candidacy. (AP Photo)
Hillary Clinton supporters will get their chance for catharsis at the Democratic National Convention in Denver as the New York senator’s name will be included in the nomination, but the gesture might not be enough to still the waters and unite the party.
A joint statement issued Thursday by Clinton and Barack Obama said Clinton will be included because they want to ensure that “the voices of all 35 million people who participated in this historic primary election are respected and heard in Denver.”
“I am convinced that honoring Senator Clinton’s historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong united fashion,” Obama said.
Still upset from an epic primary battle, some of Clinton’s supporters are not buying the unity theme planned for the Democratic National Convention.
One group intends to paper the city with fliers, promote a video detailing what they contend were irregularities in the nominating process and unleash bloggers to give their take on the proceedings. Another group purchased newspaper advertisements demanding that Clinton be included in a roll-call vote for the nomination.
These groups, however, are not affiliated with Clinton, who has endorsed Obama and campaigned for him. And in recent weeks, the Obama and Clinton campaigns have been negotiating whether to allow the losing presidential candidate’s name in the roll call vote. Sources from both campaigns told FOX News that the negotiations have been friendly and tension-free despite reports of past conflict between the two campaigns during the heated primary season.
The statement by Obama and Clinton said including her name on the nomination ballot will be a show of unity and a recognition that she is the “first woman to compete in all of our nation’s primary contests.”
It is also one more step the Obama campaign is taking in an effort to appease Clinton and quell lingering resentment of Democratic Party members still divided by the intense primary battle.
“With every voice heard and the Party strongly united, we will elect Senator Obama President of the United States and put our nation on the path to peace and prosperity once again,” Clinton said.
Nevertheless, many Clinton activists plan to voice their discontent in Denver.
“The only way a Democratic Party will have the credibility to elect a Democrat in November is if the party uses a legitimate process to choose its nominee,” said Heidi Li Feldman, co-founder of The Denver Group. “We are not per se a Clinton support group, we are a Democratic Party get-your-act-together support group.”
Clinton originally said she would not sign a document to enter her name into nomination, but told a group of supporters at a fundraiser on July 31 that it was important for her supporters to have a moment of “catharsis” at the convention.
“Because I know from just what I’m hearing, that there’s incredible pent up desire. And I think that people want to feel like, ‘OK, it’s a catharsis, we’re here, we did it, and then everybody get behind Sen. Obama.’ That is what most people believe is the best way to go,” Clinton said.
Obama later told reporters that he thought the negotiations with Clinton aides had gone “seamlessly,” but rejected the notion that there might be a need for emotional release on the part of some Democrats.
“I don’t think we’re looking for catharsis,” he said. “I think what we’re looking for is energy and excitement.”
The former first lady will address the convention on its second night, Tuesday, Aug. 26 — the 88th anniversary of the women’s right to vote. The campaign and convention committee in a statement called Clinton “a champion for working families and one of the most effective and empathetic voices in the country today.”
Clinton won 18 million votes and nearly 1,900 delegates in her primary battle against Obama.
Many of her largely female group of supporters remain bitter over her losing the nomination and have insisted that she be included in roll call vote at the nomination.
“The only way a Democratic Party will have the credibility to elect a Democrat in November is if the party uses a legitimate process to choose its nominee,” said Heidi Li Feldman, co-founder of The Denver Group, which is planning a reception for Clinton on the evening Clinton she speaks at the convention.
Some critics have warned that adding Clinton’s name into nomination would be disruptive and make the party appear divided.
FOX News’ Aaron Bruns and the Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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