AP: Clinton may cut off roll call

[sabra]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/?loc=interstitialskip

A letter obtained by the Associated Press spells out how Democrats plan to handle tonight's historic roll call vote -- when Sen. Barack Obama is due to become the first African-American ever nominated for president by a major political party.

According to AP, the letter is signed by Obama senior adviser Jeff Berman, Clinton senior adviser Craig Smith and convention secretary Alice Germond. It has been given to all delegations at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The wire service writes that the letter says that after Obama's and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's names are put into nomination:

Clinton would have one nominating speech and two seconding speeches, followed by Obama's nominating speech and three seconding speeches -- totaling no more than 15 minutes for each candidate. Then the roll call will begin.

The roll call will continue until all votes are counted or someone asks the delegates to give the nomination to Obama by acclamation.

Democratic officials close to Clinton say they plan to have someone-- perhaps the senator herself -- cut off the vote after a few states.

[bluestateguy]

1. I don't see what the point is of cutting it off

As long as the roll call proceds quickly, without rambling speeches, I don't see what the problem is with letting them get this out of their system.

[TornadoTN]

4. I agree, but it may put a symbolic end to the bickering

If she were to come out and put an end to it, say a few words about supporting Obama on her behalf - what a statement that would make.

[yellowcanine]

8. "As long as the roll call proceds quickly, without rambling speeches"

And when has that happened at a Democratic Convention?

[blondeatlast]

12. ...

:spray:

I had to laugh about all the DU talk about tambling speeches and "Me, me, me!" I've been watching these things for 3 decades and attended one with my mom once when she was a delegate.

It's what makes us, us. I love it!

[liberal N proud]

14. Symbolic of the unity

The unity that the M$M is trying so hard to deny exists

[blondeatlast]

2. I believe it. She smacked down her "supporters" last night but praised her delegates. Smart move.

I bet she'll agree, I really do.

[democrattotheend]

3. I hope she doesn't

Especially if it's part of a deal with the Obama campaign. I'd rather see it play out...I was kind of excited about seeing a real roll call like on the West Wing, even if the outcome is preordained. And if the press reports that it was a deal with the Obama campaign, her supporters will complain that the process was short-circuited.

[Cha]

11. I don't Obama Campaign is worried about any deals

with roll call. It is what it is. And, the excite mounts.

[onehandle]

5. But...but what about Hillary's inevitable coup attempt?

The one I read about at Democratic Underground?

[TwilightZone]

7. *snort*

Yeah, she was just going to take over the convention and ruin it for everyone, wasn't she?

[shireen]

6. it sounds reasonable

Hillary should be recognized for the large number of votes she got in the primaries. It was a great moment in history, to see a woman candidate come so close to the presidential nomination. This sounds like a good way to symbolically acknowledge her accomplishments.

[Peacetrain]

9. What may by "exciting" for us,

and what will attract the independents who are watching are two different things. But how ever it plays out will be fine with me, as long as we come out one party.

[rucky]

10. Let 'em all have their roll-call.

the point of this piece of theater is to give everyone a voice. so give everyone a voice.

I don't see the purpose of the proposed piece of theater, other than a stifling of the voice people feel they need to have.

[book_worm]

13. Just let them have the darn rollcall. Obama will be nominated and then Hillary will ask that it be

by acclamation. I'd rather have a united party than people getting mad because of no rollcall.

[SteelPenguin]

15. What time is this?

I'd like to watch the live feed of it.

[chascarrillo]

16. Pretty smart

My only concern about the roll call is that Clinton would receive many fewer votes than she earned during the primaries. If she.cuts it off early, she's spared that embarrassment, while at the same time both letting supporters feel good and giving Obama her full fledged support.

I think this is full of win for both camps.