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DEL.ICIO.USVoting under way
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Aaron Gould Sheinin asheinin@ajc.com
Denver — Voting for the Democratic presidential nomination has begun.
Georgia delegates, along with delegations from around the country, received a ballot this morning that asks them to choose between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
The outcome is not in doubt. Obama will accept the nomination Thursday night. But because Clinton has not released her pledged delegates, the vote is necessary. By Georgia state law, delegates were reminded this morning, if they are pledged to Clinton they must vote for her on this first ballot.
Gregg Bossen, working as a page for the Georgia delegation, said at the state’s breakfast meeting that Clinton has a meeting at 1:15 p.m. today with her delegates. It’s possible, he said, that she will release her people to back Obama. Until then, however, the rules are the rules.
This morning’s ballots will be tallied and the results read at roll call when the convention itself resumes at 3 p.m. Clinton, however, could pre-empt that by releasing her delegates and having Obama nominated by acclimation.
With all the talk about needing to unite the party, today will almost be as important to that as Thursday, when Obama gives his acceptance address.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Aaron Gould Sheinin, Democratic National Convention
Comments
By Chris
August 27, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Who is telling them that state law requires them to vote as pledged? This is not true. Attorney General Baker never wrote a letter as reported, in actuality he RECEIVED a letter that delegates were cc’d on from PUMA, the troublemakers that are trying to derail Obama advising on an ancient law. Mike Jablonski, Democratic superlaw has even remarked that the Supreme Court has struck down those laws. Georgia’s may still be on the books, but it has no teeth.
What a waste of time for a meaningless vote.
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
August 27, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Chris, I don’t disagree with you’re saying. I’m just relaying the information given to delegates this morning. And Thurbert Baker was in the room when it was said and did nothing to correct the impression.
But I’m not certain it’s meaningless. To the outcome, yes, as I mentioned. But for trying to bring the two factions together, it carries great significance, as evidence by the back and forth negotiations between the two campaigns.
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
August 27, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Chris, I don’t disagree with what you”re saying. I’m just relaying the information given to delegates this morning. And Thurbert Baker was in the room when it was said and did nothing to correct the impression.
But I’m not certain it’s meaningless. To the outcome, yes, as I mentioned. But for trying to bring the two factions together, it carries great significance, as evidence by the back and forth negotiations between the two campaigns.