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Eyes on Clinton as Democrats meet Democrats meet to nominate Obama
(about 3 hours later)
How supporters of Hillary Clinton will take to Barack Obama as party candidate is set to dominate the US Democratic convention opening in Denver, Colorado. Thousands of US Democrats are gathering in Denver, Colorado, to nominate Barack Obama as the party's candidate for November's presidential election.
The potential for discord between the winners and losers of the primaries race is one of the chief issues for party organisers. Mr Obama's wife, Michelle, will deliver the keynote speech, while her husband will join the event on Wednesday.
Some Clinton supporters are thought to be angry that she was never seriously considered as Mr Obama's running-mate. Party officials have downplayed the potential for discord after Mr Obama chose Joseph Biden as his running mate.
Mr Obama decided on veteran Senator Joseph Biden for the post on Saturday. Some of Hillary Clinton's supporters are said to be angry that she was never seriously considered for the role.
He is set to formally accept the party's nomination as candidate in November's presidential election when he addresses a crowd of 80,000 at a sports stadium on Thursday night. Mr Obama will formally accept the party's nomination when he addresses a crowd of 80,000 at a sports stadium on Thursday night, fresh from touring electoral battlegrounds.
More than 4,000 Democratic delegates and tens of thousands of officials, activists, protesters and journalists have descended on Denver for the four-day convention.
Mr Obama's wife, Michelle, will deliver the keynote speech after the opening on Monday.
Her husband is not due to reach the city until Wednesday after touring electoral battleground states.
Bitter tasteBitter taste
The official party line is that all is sweetness and light in Denver, BBC North America editor Justin Webb reports from the city.The official party line is that all is sweetness and light in Denver, BBC North America editor Justin Webb reports from the city.
I still think the Biden risk is that he will outshine the younger fellow BBC North America Editor, Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in fullI still think the Biden risk is that he will outshine the younger fellow BBC North America Editor, Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in full
Mr Obama's spokesman said the presidential hopeful had been in touch with both Mrs Clinton and her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton, and that everyone was on board for party unity.Mr Obama's spokesman said the presidential hopeful had been in touch with both Mrs Clinton and her husband, ex-President Bill Clinton, and that everyone was on board for party unity.
However, our North America editor adds, there is a potential flash-point on Wednesday night.However, our North America editor adds, there is a potential flash-point on Wednesday night.
A roll-call of delegates will be taken and Mrs Clinton's supporters will get the chance to make a symbolic effort to have her nominated.A roll-call of delegates will be taken and Mrs Clinton's supporters will get the chance to make a symbolic effort to have her nominated.
It appears that she has asked them to switch their formal allegiance to Mr Obama but some Clinton supporters may not play ball, Justin Webb notes.It appears that she has asked them to switch their formal allegiance to Mr Obama but some Clinton supporters may not play ball, Justin Webb notes.
They will be aware of the revelation over the weekend that Mrs Clinton was never legally vetted as a vice-presidential candidate, meaning she was never seriously considered for the post.They will be aware of the revelation over the weekend that Mrs Clinton was never legally vetted as a vice-presidential candidate, meaning she was never seriously considered for the post.
A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll published last Wednesday suggested that only 52% of people who voted for Hillary Clinton during the primaries had so far decided to vote for Mr Obama in November.A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll published last Wednesday suggested that only 52% of people who voted for Hillary Clinton during the primaries had so far decided to vote for Mr Obama in November.
Around a fifth said they would vote for the Republicans' John McCain while 27% had not yet decided how they would vote, according to the survey.Around a fifth said they would vote for the Republicans' John McCain while 27% had not yet decided how they would vote, according to the survey.
Prayer meetingPrayer meeting
More than 4,000 Democratic delegates and tens of thousands of officials, activists, protesters and journalists have descended on Denver for the four-day convention.
While the convention opens officially on Monday, a multi-faith party prayer meeting took place in a theatre inside the Colorado Convention Center on Sunday.While the convention opens officially on Monday, a multi-faith party prayer meeting took place in a theatre inside the Colorado Convention Center on Sunday.
The Republican convention will follow next weekThe Republican convention will follow next week
A gospel choir belted out a gospel song before a rabbi recited a Torah reading about forgiveness and the future, the Associated Press reports. A choir belted out a gospel song before a rabbi recited a Torah reading about forgiveness and the future, the Associated Press reports.
Helen Prejean, the Roman Catholic nun who wrote Dead Man Walking, condemned the death penalty and the use of torture.Helen Prejean, the Roman Catholic nun who wrote Dead Man Walking, condemned the death penalty and the use of torture.
Young Muslim women in headscarves sat near older African-American women in their finest Sunday hats, AP notes.Young Muslim women in headscarves sat near older African-American women in their finest Sunday hats, AP notes.
Allen Hertzke, a University of Oklahoma political scientist, told the news agency that Mr Obama hopes to chip at the Republicans' solid lead among many American religious communities.Allen Hertzke, a University of Oklahoma political scientist, told the news agency that Mr Obama hopes to chip at the Republicans' solid lead among many American religious communities.
"Even if he gains just a few points, that could be decisive in a close election," the analyst added."Even if he gains just a few points, that could be decisive in a close election," the analyst added.
Meanwhile, the McCain campaign has been raking through the Democratic primary archives for quotes by Hillary Clinton and others for use in adverts and press releases questioning Mr Obama's experience.Meanwhile, the McCain campaign has been raking through the Democratic primary archives for quotes by Hillary Clinton and others for use in adverts and press releases questioning Mr Obama's experience.
"The power to this message is that you're using the Democrats' own words," said Republican strategist Scott Reed."The power to this message is that you're using the Democrats' own words," said Republican strategist Scott Reed.