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Democrats meet to nominate Obama | Democrats meet to nominate Obama |
(30 minutes later) | |
Thousands of US Democrats are gathering in Denver, Colorado, to nominate Barack Obama as the party's candidate for November's presidential election. | Thousands of US Democrats are gathering in Denver, Colorado, to nominate Barack Obama as the party's candidate for November's presidential election. |
Mr Obama's wife, Michelle, will deliver the keynote speech, while her husband will join the event on Wednesday. | Mr Obama's wife, Michelle, will deliver the keynote speech, while her husband will join the event on Wednesday. |
Party officials have downplayed the potential for discord after Mr Obama chose Joseph Biden as his running mate. | Party officials have downplayed the potential for discord after Mr Obama chose Joseph Biden as his running mate. |
Some of Hillary Clinton's supporters are said to be angry that she was never seriously considered for the role. | Some of Hillary Clinton's supporters are said to be angry that she was never seriously considered for the role. |
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. | 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. |
Bitter taste | Bitter 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 full | 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 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. |
CONVENTION AGENDA Monday: Michelle Obama speech on Obama the man; tribute to Ted KennedyTuesday: Hillary Clinton speech; keynote speech by former Virginia governor Mark WarnerWednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateBarack Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7574423.stm">Voters' views on the convention class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7576692.stm">Delegate's diary 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 meeting | Prayer 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. | 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 week | The Republican convention will follow next week |
A 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. |