Home
Florida delegates pledge united front
By STEPHANIE WANG, The Times-Union
Aug 28, 2008
A majority of Florida's Democratic delegation started the election season cheering for Hillary Clinton, but most are going to end it rooting for Barack Obama.
Clinton released her delegates Wednesday afternoon at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, giving them the go-ahead to vote as they choose.
"A lot of the Hillary delegates were actually waiting on that," said Travis Bridges, chairman of the Duval County Democratic Party and an Obama delegate.
The convention echoed Clinton's endorsement Tuesday of the Illinois senator during a rousing prime-time speech.
It's been an emotional experience for Clinton supporters, many of whom were invested in the candidate even after she ended her campaign earlier this summer, Bridges said.
With Obama expected to formally accept the party's presidential nomination today, Bridges said the sentiment of the Florida delegation is to present "a united front."
Several Florida delegates predicted earlier Wednesday that most of Clinton's followers would vote for Obama during the nominating process.
"They're all for Barack Obama," said Deborah Courtney of Jacksonville, originally a John Edwards delegate representing the 4th Congressional District at the convention. "If there are any people who still don't want to support Barack, that is such a small percentage that it's not going to matter."
Of the state's 211 delegates and 31 alternates, 52 percent were pledged to Clinton, according to the Florida Democratic Party. Obama had 31 percent, and 11 percent weren't committed to any candidate. The remaining delegates supported Edwards.
Clinton has been instrumental in bringing the Democrats together, 6th Congressional District delegate Jimmy Johnson said.
"Her speech [Tuesday] was completely on message," said the Jacksonville resident, who was pledged to Clinton. "All the things she said were to unite the party."
Former President Clinton's statements Wednesday night also were expected to "bring a comfort level to the Hillary delegates," Johnson said.
A few people may still side with the New York senator out of deep loyalty, Bridges said. But he's confident Republican opponent John McCain won't win over any Democratic delegates.
No matter how difficult the switch between party candidates, their allegiance is with the Democrats.
"As the convention winds up, our party will be a lot more united than it was when we entered," Johnson said.
stephanie.wang@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4619
Copyright 2008
Powered By Zebra Mobile