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ZZUNUSED
Local delegates unsure what to expect during Dem's convention
Betty Cleckley is the vice president of multicultural affairs at Marshall University.
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HUNTINGTON -- Being a delegate at a national political convention is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a lot of people, so it's fair to say that no delegate really knows what to expect going in.
But when it comes to this year's Democratic National Convention in Denver, local delegates really, really don't know what to expect.
After a nip-and-tuck primary season, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., "suspended" her campaign despite big wins in key states, and threw her support behind Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., for the presidential nomination.
Obama racked up the necessary number of delegates to secure the nomination despite losses to Clinton in states such as Ohio and Texas.
But now there are whispers that Clinton might get back into the fight, and try to wrestle away the nomination at the convention, which is Monday through Thursday, Aug. 25-28.
Of the three delegates from Cabell County representing West Virginia at the convention, two are Obama supporters, and one is pledged to Clinton. Overall, Clinton holds 20 delegates in West Virginia to Obama's eight.
"I am very, very upset about what I am hearing about Hillary," said Betty Cleckley, Cabell's elected pledged Obama delegate. "I don't know what she and (former President) Bill (Clinton) are trying to do, but, to me, you have this process and someone wins and someone loses. And if you lose, you have to accept the reality of that. You don't try to take something away from the man who won."
Sue Hanshaw, Cabell's at-large delegate pledged to Obama, said she hopes both Clintons will bow out gracefully rather than split the convention, which is supposed to be a rallying point for the party as a whole.
"I expect Hillary to decline the votes graciously and eloquently, and I expect the same from the former president," she said. "I understand people wanting her to get back in because there were females who identified so deeply with her campaign and were so disappointed when she didn't take the nomination. I can appreciate that point of view, but we need to move forward."
Cory Dennison, the Cabell delegate pledged to Clinton, said he will be obligated to vote for her if she re-enters the race. But he is hoping that, whatever happens, the party comes out better for it.
"I just want to see the Democratic nominee in the White House," he said. "I hope everything comes together."
Whatever happens, all three said they were looking forward to representing West Virginia at what is sure to be a historic convention.
"The old ways and the old days are over, and I'm just thrilled to be representing West Virginia and Cabell County in passing the torch to this new generation," Hanshaw said.
The Herald-Dispatch
U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will be speaking to the Democratic faithful next week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Strickland and Manchin will join about 20 other governors, senators and representatives planned to speak on the second night of the convention, Tuesday, Aug. 26. Sen. Hillary Clinton is scheduled to headline the event Tuesday night.
Tuesday's theme is "Renewing America's Promise."
Rockefeller will join several senators including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. John Kerry on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Wednesday night's theme is "Securing America's Future." Former President Bill Clinton is also scheduled to speak that night along with presumptive nominee Barack Obama's vice presidential choice.
The convention is scheduled to run from Monday through Thursday next week. Check your the local listings for coverage time.
