Posted on 06/20/2008 5:45:58 PM PDT by mdittmar
It's a no-expenses paid trip to what looks to be one of the most hotly debated political events in the country.
At least seven local people have won a coveted spot in Michigan's 2008 delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, earning them a first-hand view of a historic presidential nomination.
For at least two of the area delegates, this is the first time they will travel to the August convention, where their only duties are to hob nob with party leaders, cheer wildly -- and cast their vote for a presidential nominee.
"I'm really excited to be a part of the democratic process as we make history," said first-timer Gerri Hall, chairwoman of the Genesee County Democratic Black Caucus. "I don't really know what to expect."
Three-time delegate Sally Shaheen Joseph, county party secretary and former Flint Township supervisor, said a trip to the convention is "like nothing you could ever imagine, it's so exciting." Joseph recalled the 1992 Chicago convention, when delegates took a break from the floor to dance in aisles and on chairs to the "Macarena" blaring over the loudspeakers.
"I got calls from people saying 'I saw you on national TV dancing the Macarena,'" she said, laughing. "It's a wonderfully fun time."
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is to get 59 of the state's delegates while Sen. Hillary Clinton is to get 69, according to a formula proposed by the state party and approved by the Democratic National Committee. Eighty-three were elected by party members at district conventions in April and the rest were chosen this month. There also is a contingent of unpledged superdelegates.
Local Clinton delegates include Genesee County Democratic Party Chairman Ron Duncan; Flint attorney Michael Behm; Flint resident Vicki Price; and state Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Township. Obama delegates include Hall, Joseph and former state Rep. Floyd Clack, husband of current state Rep. Brenda Clack.
The Michigan Democratic Party expects all of the Clinton delegates to vote for Obama, spokeswoman Liz Kerr said. The New York senator sent her delegates an e-mail after she conceded the nomination asking them to back her opponent. But some delegates in other states have stubbornly refused to support Obama and there's speculation over whether the Democratic Party can unite.
That's what convinced Clinton delegate Michael Behm, a Flint attorney, to "cross over" and vote for Obama.
Even though the Obama-Clinton contest was bitter at times, "it would be a rather ignorant decision not to choose Sen. Obama," said Behm, who also is new to the convention.
"This is one of those points in time, if you look at history, the country really is at a crossroads," he said. "We can really point the country in the right direction."
National party officials originally stripped Michigan and Florida of their delegates for breaking party rules by holding early presidential primaries. The party then agreed to seat the delegates, but only give them half a vote.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has said Obama is committed to giving full votes to both states.
Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.
oh, how exciting. i could go, and give a half-vote... whoopie.
I’m sooooo jealous...........NOT
Some people get their kicks in strange ways.
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