Clinton expected to release delegates Wednesday

DENVER — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, hoping to unite the Democratic Party and cement her future in it, will gather her hard-won primary delegates Wednesday at a reception where she is expected to formally release them to Barack Obama.

The New York senator has invited her pledged delegates to a reception at the Colorado Convention Center, not far from the main Democratic National Convention arena.

The high-profile gathering of political regulars who once fought against Obama serves a dual purpose for Clinton: Show fellow Democrats that she can be a team player, and display her still-formidable political strengths for the future. Many of her supporters want her to run for president again.

A Democratic official told The Associated Press Sunday, a day before the convention begins, that she is expected to release her delegates at the Wednesday event. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss details publicly.

Asked about Clinton's plans for the event, her spokesman Philippe Reines said it will be "an opportunity for Senator Clinton to see her delegates _ many for the first time since the primaries ended, thank them for their hard work and support, and most importantly to encourage them to support and work for Senator Obama as strongly as she has in order to elect him in November."

At an appearance in Fresno, California, for the United Farm Workers, Clinton declined to comment on her plans for the Wednesday event. She praised Obama's newly-minted running mate Joe Biden, another sign of party loyalty.

"I know him very well, and I know he has been on the front lines of the fight for social and economic justice his entire time in public service," Clinton said.

She has support among key voting groups that Obama has yet to win over, particularly women, older voters, and working-class voters.

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Coming into the convention, many Democrats have wondered exactly how and when Clinton would throw her delegates to Obama, and if that would be a messy, contentious affair.

Some Clinton delegates still plan to vote for her at the convention, even if she releases them.

"This is much bigger than Hillary," said Pam Durham, a Clinton delegate from Fort Worth, Texas. "I have a responsibility. I do not own my vote. I have to represent the voters who sent me."

Pat Bakalian, a Clinton delegate from Santa Cruz, Calif., agreed. She said she came to Denver to vote for Clinton, "and it's what I'm going to do."

Both Durham and Bakalian said Obama has not yet won their support. They are waiting to see how Clinton is treated at the convention, and to make sure the nominating process is run fairly.

Daniel Kagan, a Clinton delegate from Colorado, said, "I was sent to Denver to vote for Clinton. I would be letting my voters down if I voted for anyone else."

Kagan said he plans to vote for Obama in November, but he won't be volunteering for the campaign.

"I'll get behind it (the ticket) weakly," Kagan said.

Republicans are already trying to take advantage of such potential fissures.

John McCain's campaign launched a television ad suggesting rival Barack Obama snubbed Clinton because of her criticism during the Democratic primary fight.

The ad features clips of Clinton, including one in which she accused him of negative campaigning, and a voiceover announcer says: "She won millions of votes but isn't on the ticket. Why? For speaking the truth."

Clinton aides responded that she clearly supports Obama and agrees with him on important issues like health care and the Iraq war, and doesn't agree with McCain on those issues.

___

Associated Press Writer Stephen Ohlemacher in Denver and Tracie Cone in Fresno, Calif. contributed to this report.

Comments

[espressobeans]

Could we have a little more drama, please? And people wonder why she is not on the ticket?

[dsmyre]

Wow, de ja vu. Waiting for HRC to release her delegates. Waiting for HRC to concede the primary election. Waiting for HRC to do the right thing. Waiting... waiting...

[Nan2008]

Well we waited for Barack to do the right thing and unite the party...and LOW AND BEHOLD what's he do, sends a text message at 3 AM in morning to announce his choice, HIS CHOICE for unity in the party....BY NOT SELECTING HILLARY AS VP and SLAPPING HER IN THE FACE BY MANNER IN WHICH .....HE.....CHOSE to announce his selection. He and his supporter made the decison for PARTY UNITY....YOU ARE TO BLAME AND NO ONE ELSE.

[Chillinout]

You do realize that, no matter what the MSM wants you to think, the text was at 3am in only one of the five times zones in the United States?

The majority of the people that received that text received it at a time other than 3am. I, for one received it at 1am.

The reason that it was put out when it was, was because the Media had already figured out who it was, so when the O'bama campaign saw that, they released the text a few hours earlier than they wanted to.

[LarBear]

Got into a discussion as to whether O supporters are actual Democrats, or not... I say O supporters are a group attempting to take over the Democrats, similar to the way Right Wing Christian Group's, took over the Republican Party...
O, is just a convenient "figure head" to Unite behind... With help of Dean, Pelosi, Reid, Brazille and some of "old guard" Dems, the Party is being taken over from within, in an effort to gain Control, and to remove Clinton's and their supporters... Or, perhaps simply Republican's posting hate to divide the Party...
I hear the words, WE can't let McCain win, or he'll endanger us all and especially our children, boys and girls... (I. E., Reproductive Rights and Military ) Yet, the behavior of O supporters, clearly does NOT match that rhetoric... I do NOT believe that is all that important, in contrast to the inner take over... Hate, anger, blame and bashing is more important...
If you all are, actual, true, Democrats, for O to win, will you apologize to the Clinton's, their supporters, and fellow Democrats??? Will you stop bashing and bad mouthing??? Will you ask PUMAS to sit down, actually LISTEN to them, and hear them out, so as to work to reconcile??? Asking no apology from them, just cooperation to win for all... (Not talking about giving Hillary any position... Her team lost)
Which, in Fact and Deed, is most important? Winning, or hate???

[Nan2008]

Exactly!

[JShankel]

> O, is just a convenient "figure head" to Unite behind.

I believe the term you're fishing for is "duly elected nominee."

> If you all are, actual, true, Democrats, for O to win, will you apologize to the Clinton's,
> their supporters, and fellow Democrats???
> Will you ask PUMAS to sit down, actually LISTEN to them, and hear them out,
> so as to work to reconcile??? Asking no apology from them, just cooperation to win for all.

Oh, right, so O supporters are to apologize to the PUMAs but ask no apology in return, sit down, listen and "reconcile" with a group whose ONLY bargaining position is "nominate Hillary or we walk?"

Look, PUMA's, I'm not that invested in O myself. But he's a damn sight better than McCain, tho.

So, here's the deal: I call your bluff, I drink your milkshake, I eat your french fries.

Go ahead. Throw all your support behind McCain because women's issues are SOOOOOO important to you!

And when he stacks the supreme court with troglodytes and Roe is a thing of the past and we're opening every inch of offshore space for drilling so we can afford 100 years of war as we "bomb bomb bomb Iran," you'll at least have the quantum of solace in knowing that, at the very least, we didn't elect Obama, who will obviously be much, much worse on the issues you care about.

[BridgeMadison]

Maybe some Clinton supporters and delegates are having a difficult time "getting over it" because SOME Obama supporters are making arrogant and insensitive comments. Some of you all think Obama's nomination gives you bragging rights. It doesn't. The numbers were close during the primaries and the polls now show a close race between Obama and McCain. What that means is, yes, Obama's in a good position, but not by a wide margin. A little diplomacy might help garner more votes.

Also some delegates truly are obligated, by law, to vote consistent with the primary results.

[Mesaywar]

Oh sure, sure..."the numbers were close." Except, of course, where the numbers really counted- in donors, dollars, and delegates.

[LisainNYC]

Not true.

As I stated upthread, according to Democratic Party rules delegates are not legally obligated to vote for their candidate and it was Clinton herself who pointed this out in an interview in Newsweek in March. In April, she appealed to North Dakota delegates to do just that, switch from Obama to her at the convention.

What one group of supporters views as "a little diplomacy" might look to another group as endless demands upon the victor by the loser i.e., pay off my debts, make me VP, give me and my husband big speaking roles at the convention, yada, yada, yada.

[Nan2008]

What's diplomatic about a 3 AM text message? WHAT? Low life slap in the face that's what it is. Hate that's what it is. Flipping her off, brushing her off his shoulders.....give me a break. I've NEVER heard Hill make any of the statements you have claimed she made, but I've seen for myself the above actions towards her by Obama.

[Nofoolhere]

Those zealots who insist on voting for Hillary Clinton who has already lost, and then who will cast a spite vote for John McCain, should recognize they are mindlessly observing the following dictum:

WHEN YOUR HATED ENEMY HAS PREVAILED, THEN YOU SHOULD DESTROY HIM BY TAKING POISON.

[Harrygton]

These people are already filled with POISON.... Dahhhh!

[collprof]

CNN, MSNBC, etc are dwelling on Democrats who voted for HRC during campaign and they took a poll. An astounding 20% or better are stating they would rather vote for McCain then vote for Obama.

Any registered Democrat who votes for McCain in an attempt to display their anger over Obama nailing down the nomination for the party should take the next step and register themselves as a full blown Republicans.

I am sick of hearing the complaints about HRC. She and her team screwed up and let Obama in the door. Now it's time to MOVEON and show solidarity for Obama and stop this neo-con stink fest we've been living with for 8 long years.

I have a 14 year old son and I know McCain is just itching to show Russia how great we still are.

I have two chances to prevent my son from getting drafted which is what McCain will reinvent if he gets in. Either the Dems line up and vote for Obama or I take my son to Canada. My son will not fight a neo-con created war like 4,100 soldiers have been killed for in Iraq.

[marymansour]

I heard the gurgling of the trolls on Morning Joe's coffee club. The rumblings of Pat Buchanan putting down Obama's performance on the Christian debate last week; Joe pontificating about the lack of Hillary as his running mate; the simple minded Mika, who can never decide who she is supporting for more than a day at a time.

I just hope that Hillary Clinton and her chicanery have not made a lasting impact. It would be great if she would run with John McCain and get it over with. What a traitor to her party.

[TheAlchemist]

What these delegates who claim that they have to represent the voters who sent them fail to recognize is that by the end of the primary many of those same voters were so disillusioned by the behavior of their candidate that they"d have gladly voted for O given a second chance.

[LisainNYC]

I have heard this sentiment expressed by a number of people who voted for her in NY and CA.

[Tropiholic]

many of these delegates need to be concerned about their own political careers too, they need to do right by their constituents and the american people

[teeda155]

TOO MUCH AIRTIME FOR HRC and her angry husband!!!!

She lost, get over it!
For those that are so mad they will vote for McCain, I think that says more about them than Obama!


Obama/Biden '08

[Workinwithu]

Have the Clintons watched the NBA Finals? Win or GO HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No other Democratic Loser has had a spot in the convention, This Democratic Convention is for the winner, hellooooo that is Senator Barack Obama.

[LisainNYC]

She has her own self interest at heart.

She gets to look magnanimous in releasing her delegates while avoiding embarrassment when the vast majority of her delegates go for Obama anyway.

[Bozwellian]

AIN't NOTHING "MAGNANIMOUS" about "releasing them come Wednesday..TOO LITTLE AND WAY TOO LATE , this AIN"T THE CLINTON CONVENTION but they sure keep usurping it at each twisted turn they stab the party with !!! THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REAL CLASS ACT PRO's but guess we are seeing what they TRULy are about..THEMSELVES with little mind of what the final cost could be !!!
THe tepid UN-enthusiastic support given lip service is but to make claim she did her part , it shows in her , actually GLARES in her performance to date on behalf of the party's nominee to date and Slcik willie ain't being any too slick either !!! TIRED, no make that EXHAUSTED with the Clinton group and their dramatics...TIME OVER DUE FOR THEM TO FADE OFF INTO THE SUNSET, time for THEM to realize it and those crazed enough YET and unable to get a grip on REALITY, it obviously NOT about issues, for if it was a NO BRAINER upon where their final vote would be cast !! Shooting themselves in the foot/head and elsewhere and time to just cut them loose. TRUE MAJORITY HAVE MOVED ON, the few that proclaim unable...cut them loose, let them go to McC, they are more in alignment with GOPERITED tacticals and it shows !!!

[marymansour]

I have long been a fan of Bill Clinton's presidency (minus the BJ) and would have voted for him a third term. However, his wife is a mess and could well Throw this election into ruin with her behavior. I heard her response to the negative McCain ad,quoting Hillary on Barack Obama. She stated that it was a shame that McPOW hadn't used the good things she said about O. Well, Hillary, you old dump - there weren't any.

[joeinvt]

Did you see the ad in which McCain used the negative things Biden said about Obama? How exactly did she throw the election into ruin other than convince a lot of people that she could do the job?

[LisainNYC]

Clinton "has support among key voting groups that Obama has yet to win over, particularly women"

This statement is factually incorrect. Obama has the support of over 51% of women voters to McCain's 39%, a margin of 12 points, according to recent polls. (Kerry had only a margin of 4%, Gore had 11% and Bill Clinton 16%). Obama also wins older women voters by 49% to McCain's 38%.

The author would do well to use facts instead of the current media meme/conventional wisdom for his articles.

[danoj]

last I saw O had a total of 5 point lead with woman over JMC.

[BassMent]

There was a piece on NPR this morning that confirmed Lilsain's numbers as quoted above. O was leading among the working class demographic as well (under $50k per annum) by something like nine points.

In fact, the only demographic he was not leading in by significant margins was white Catholics.

[presto]

I believe the author is talking about her support among Democrats...not among general election voters. It is a valid statistic based on very recent polling.

[Areyoume2]

I've been a passionate Hillary supporter and had serious withdrawal when her jig was up. I became next day McCain and the flwg. day a No-Voter. But, by day 3, I was 100% on-board for Obama. Here was my rationalization: Obama is GREAT because of all that he's NOT. He's neither black, nor white; he's not left, right or center; he's not old nor young; he's not living a silver spoon life, nor coming from the dregs of poverty. I love that he's neutral Hawaii rather than a son of the turbulant 60s. I especially love that he is the creation of a white American mom and a black African dad. What better way to put that sad chapter of American history to bed !! He's not likely to make any person (of ANY religion) take to the streets in protest or jubiliation. He is SO middle of the American road as to be the best offering to further the American Dream. Having said that - Bill Clinton, on the contrary, has shown that his over-reactions to criticisms of Hillary would have made him a liability to the Democratic Party and the butt of another Republican smear campaign. Why would the Clintons think it'd be better this time? I say all this loving Hillary and Bill. Time for the Clintons to get on board FOR REAL. They have it in their power to remove themselves from this on-going and damaging Republican cartoon.

[TheAlchemist]

O's an archetype. Like Lincoln, he reminds us that anybody can be president. Go O!

[danoj]

Lincoln was a repub. Furthermore, he fired general after general until he found someone who knew how to kick arse. Don't think O fits that mold.

[marymansour]

That was a wonderful post, Areyoume2. Thanks!

[flydoghead]

good post areyou

[Ibackobama]

I think this is the best post I've read in a long time. Who else could we ask for that has life experience with several different views. He is a Christian who has lived with Muslims, A black man who grew up in a white family, An American with an African father, partially grew up in an Asian home and country, family members from all walks of life. If this isn't a portrayal of all that I love about America, I dont know what is. As much as I feel that the Sen. Hill would have pursued the same Democratic values as Obama does, they clearly caught on too late that they had some real competition and by the time they got their act together, it was too late. Now the presumptive nominee is Sen O, won fair and square, and there will be those that will not/never vote for him which is ok, but as for Sen Hill and Bill, if they dont quit being a liability to the Dems, Hill will never have a political future.

[Mesaywar]

Good post, Areyoume2. Well put.

[Carnacamarna]

I'm so sick and tired of these delusional conspiratorial responses to any trumped up story about the Clintons. She's releasing her delegates, and people who can't effing move on are still harping. About what?! She's releasing her delegates. The ones that are pledged to her.

Now if you're beef was with those delegates who still will vote for her, okay, I'd be fine with that. That's completely understandable. Those delegates aren't helping the Dem cause when they still don't vote for Obama; however, this action makes it so that the delegates are not bound to Clinton. She has done so much as the number two, and it still isn't enough. This anger is simply ridiculous.

She's stumping for Obama, had great things to say about Biden, and is taking the necessary actions toward unity: RELEASING her delegates.

If some die-hard supports still want to vote for her, fine, that's their choice. If you truly think there's this much division amongst the two camps, then you've been brainwashed by the media narrative. Most of these stories quote 3 to 5 people as if they represent most of Clinton's supporters.

[scrutiny]

Good post. MSM's goal and purpose is to agitate -- and by the posts on this and many other sites they have been successful. Yes there are those Clinton supporters that won't vote for Obama, but there are also Republicans that won't vote for McCain -- they seem to overlook that. They skew and create polls to justify their daily shoveling of crap and pray that American's won't demand real news. They should adopt Joe Friday's slogan "Just the facts, maam, just the facts". It's a shame that we no longer have any news organizations in this country.

[LisainNYC]

True, the media Is trying to pump up the story line that Hill supporters won't back Obama.

But she did not helped the situation when, just last week, at a rally in FL, she referred to Obama, as her "opponent."

Who is it that "can't effing move on"?

[presto]

Amen...if only reason would return to the hysterical mobs here.

[Lemeritus]

Amen, again.

I can't believe how many people are running straight into McCain's trap.

Hillary Clinton is releasing her delegates (who are pledged to her -- because that's how the primary works). Obama is our nominee. McCAIN IS THE ENEMY -- not just to our party, but to America. Wake up and get the ring out of your noses!

[gwhizz]

Wow...how did you get in here? Long time since I've seen sanity like this sneaking through the scrubbers!

Favorited!

[Carnacamarna]

Thanks!