Center stage

Vice presidential pick takes stage at DNC; Obama selected as Democratic candidate

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Denver — History was made in Denver on Wednesday when Illinois Sen. Barack Obama officially secured the Democratic presidential nomination through intervention from his former rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

In a surprise move, Obama appeared with Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., later that night. Biden had just accepted the Democratic bid for the vice presidency.

The nomination makes Obama the first black nominee in U.S. history to represent a major party.

In the midst of a state-by-state roll call vote, Clinton took to the microphone for New York. But instead of announcing New York’s voting tally, Clinton made a motion to cease the roll call and elect Obama through a show of acclamation.

“I move Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention, by acclamation, as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States,” she said, prompting cheers from the audience.

The convention floor erupted in shouts of “aye,” when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the delegates if they wished to nominate Obama.

Clinton’s move was a final call to Democrats to rally behind Obama in the race against presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Thirty-two delegations, including Michigan, cast votes before the call for acclamation. Of the 69 Michigan delegates who were pledged to Clinton, 27 voted for her.

“Our rules say delegates are to vote their conscience, and if they feel they made a pledge to somebody, and they want to be loyal, that’s a great thing,” Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer said of the vote disparity.

Clinton dropped out of the presidential race in early June after earning more votes than any female candidate in history.

Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon said Clinton deserved to be recognized for that accomplishment by having her name submitted for nomination.

“What she signaled in this country, to every woman, … is that the doors to the White House are open,” he said. “That was a very important message that Hillary delivered.”

Following the nominating process, former President Bill Clinton and Biden delivered remarks.

Bill Clinton echoed Hillary Clinton’s message of party unity and urged the 18 million people who voted for her in the primaries to back Obama.

“Last night, Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can do to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us,” he told the crowd.

Biden followed Bill Clinton’s speech with his acceptance of the party’s vice presidential nomination. Biden, who has been criticized by opponents for being too wordy, opened his speech with a joke.

“Since I’ve never been called a man of few words, let me say this as simply as I can,” he said. “Yes, yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve with Barack Obama.”

Biden also played up his sympathy with working-class Americans.

“He brings a real understanding, given his background, of what average working-class Americans need,” Brewer said.

Biden also is expected to make up for Obama’s lack of experience on foreign policy issues, Brewer said.

Biden and Obama will make their first campaign stop in Michigan as the party’s official nominees this weekend, Brewer said.

The pair is expected to hold a rally Saturday in Battle Creek. Brewer said it will be the first of many campaign stops in the state.

“I hope and expect that we will see a lot of Joe Biden in Michigan this fall,” Brewer said.

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