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US Democrats reach delegate deal US Democrats reach delegate deal
(30 minutes later)
The US Democratic Party has taken a compromise decision on delegates from Florida and Michigan, two states barred from choosing a presidential candidate.The US Democratic Party has taken a compromise decision on delegates from Florida and Michigan, two states barred from choosing a presidential candidate.
Both states' delegates will be allowed to attend August's convention, but will only have half a vote each.Both states' delegates will be allowed to attend August's convention, but will only have half a vote each.
Hillary Clinton, who is lagging behind Barack Obama in the race, wanted all delegates to be allowed to attend.Hillary Clinton, who is lagging behind Barack Obama in the race, wanted all delegates to be allowed to attend.
The decision increases her delegate total, but halves their influence, with Mr Obama still the clear leader.The decision increases her delegate total, but halves their influence, with Mr Obama still the clear leader.
Clinton adviser Harold Ickes, a member of the committee which took the votes on Florida and Michigan, said she reserved the right to appeal against the decisions.
The votes by the party's rules and bylaws committee took place amid heated exchanges between Clinton and Obama supporters.
Rules brokenRules broken
Mrs Clinton wanted members of the Democratic rules and bylaws committee, meeting in the ballroom of a Washington hotel, to overturn a previous decision and allow delegates from Florida and Michigan to vote at the Democratic National Convention in August. Hillary Clinton was campaigning in Puerto Rico on Saturday
Mrs Clinton wanted the committee, meeting in the ballroom of a Washington hotel, to overturn a previous decision and allow delegates from Florida and Michigan to vote at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Delegates to that convention, chosen in votes in each state, will decide which candidate becomes the Democratic Party candidate in November's presidential election.Delegates to that convention, chosen in votes in each state, will decide which candidate becomes the Democratic Party candidate in November's presidential election.
Officially, Mrs Clinton won both states in January, but both were initially discounted because they held their primaries in January, in contravention of party rules.Officially, Mrs Clinton won both states in January, but both were initially discounted because they held their primaries in January, in contravention of party rules.
Neither candidate campaigned in the contests, and in Michigan, Mr Obama's name was not even on the ballot.Neither candidate campaigned in the contests, and in Michigan, Mr Obama's name was not even on the ballot.
Extra backing
The Washington meeting agreed that the results of the two primaries would stand.The Washington meeting agreed that the results of the two primaries would stand.
Hillary Clinton was campaigning in Puerto Rico on Saturday We're extremely gratified that the commission agreed on a fair solution that will allow Michigan and Florida to participate in the Convention Obama campaign
This gives Mrs Clinton 69 delegates in Michigan, compared to Mr Obama's 59. And in Florida, she gains 105 delegates to Mr Obama's 67.This gives Mrs Clinton 69 delegates in Michigan, compared to Mr Obama's 59. And in Florida, she gains 105 delegates to Mr Obama's 67.
This reduces Mr Obama's lead - previously 202 - by 48, but the delegates from Michigan and Florida will only have half a vote each, so her gains are reduced.This reduces Mr Obama's lead - previously 202 - by 48, but the delegates from Michigan and Florida will only have half a vote each, so her gains are reduced.
Mrs Clinton is still hoping to persuade undecided "super-delegates" that she should be the party's nominee.
The 27-member committee unanimously accepted the compromise decision for Florida, after earlier rejecting by 15-12 a plan which would give all delegates full voting rights at the convention.The 27-member committee unanimously accepted the compromise decision for Florida, after earlier rejecting by 15-12 a plan which would give all delegates full voting rights at the convention.
In the case of Michigan, the committee approved the compromise by 19-8. Overall, Mrs Clinton gains only 24 delegates, far short of the total she needs to catch Mr Obama. In the case of Michigan, the committee approved the compromise by 19-8.
Overall, Mrs Clinton gains only 24 delegate votes, far short of the total she needs to catch Mr Obama.
'Denver, Denver'
Mrs Clinton is still hoping to persuade undecided "super-delegates" that she should be the party's nominee.
Her adviser Mr Ickes accused the committee of "hijacking" votes for Mrs Clinton.
"Mrs Clinton has instructed me to reserve her rights to take this to the credentials committee," he added.
The Obama campaign greeted Saturday's votes as a "fair solution that will allow Michigan and Florida to participate" in the party convention in Denver in August.
During the day's voting, Clinton supporters chanted "Denver, Denver" - implying the Clinton-Obama contest will drag on until the convention - and "Madame President, Madame President".
Two women could be heard shouting at each other to "shut up".
An appeal for party unity was jeered by one heckler with the words "Lipstick on a pig!"
Puerto Rico holds its Democratic primary on Sunday, one of the last US states and territories to do so.Puerto Rico holds its Democratic primary on Sunday, one of the last US states and territories to do so.