Roll Call Vote at The Democratic National Convention

This post is cross-posted at The Care2 Election Blog

There has been a lot of talk about tonight’s roll call vote. Some didn’t want it to happen at all, and others want to have it cut-off before it is even finished. Personally, I think the Democratic party owes it to the voters to complete this roll call, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen. Anyway, here is what other bloggers are saying about the roll call vote. Once the roll call vote is over, I will update this post. In the meantime let me know what you think in comments.

From McClatchy Election 2008 Blog…

Remember the good old political convention days, when the roll call of the states was the highlight of the convention?
Good luck finding the roll call Wednesday.

A roll call is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. MDT, dinner time back east. It’s not clear how many states will participate–even delegates aren’t being told.

This much is known: At some point, a Hillary Clinton supporter will move to nominate Barack Obama, probably unanimously, and that will be it.

Just don’t ask who will do it or when. No one really knows yet.

From Heidi Li’s…

Based on a review of a wide number of sources (some off the record, most on) here is my best understanding of what is taking place before the Convention is called to order today and the roll call held. Go here for the official schedule of the day. According to that schedule, the roll call will be held in the first hour of the first session of today, between 3 and 4 p.m. mountain time.

The schedule does not disclose what is happening this morning and early afternoon with the delegates. As best as I can judge, what is going on is that the delegates are being rounded up state by state for a caucus-like (?!?) process, headed by Obama campaign staff it seems. At these sessions delegates are being required to express their preference for Senator Clinton or Senator Obama, with the understanding that these preferences will then be disclosed on the floor of the convention.

From Washington Wire…

The vote will continue until all states have voted, or until a motion is put forward to give Obama the nomination by acclamation. Already, New Jersey has agreed to unanimously back Obama. Each delegation held informal vote counts at their daily breakfast meetings.

The Obama and Clinton camps are being mum on the exact proceedings—although everything on the convention floor is tightly scripted. But Democratic officials have expressed doubts all week that the full roll call vote would occur.

From MyDD…

I’m here at the Denver Convention Center where hundreds (thousands?) of Clinton delegates are lined up to see Hillary Clinton address them prior to today’s roll call vote. Earlier today delegates began casting ballots and, according to The AP, “Clinton delegates are moving toward Obama.”

A swell of Hillary Rodham Clinton delegates said they were casting their presidential nominating votes for Barack Obama on Wednesday, encouraged by her speech urging them to fall in line behind the party’s certain nominee.The delegates received their ballots at stage delegation breakfast meetings. A roll call vote was scheduled for later in the afternoon after brief nominating speeches for both Clinton and Obama. The former rivals negotiated a plan that would cut off the split roll call after a few states — perhaps by Clinton herself — in favor of acclamation for Obama.

Let me know what you think about the roll call vote in comments. And I will update this post as needed.