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Journalism of Courage
The vote was by acclamation after Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton waded onto the convention floor amid a standing ovation and stopped a roll call of delegations. She urged Obama8217;s unanimous selection as the party8217;s presidential nominee 8220;in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory8221;. Delegates shouted their affirmation, and the longest, most contentious Democratic primary fight in more than a generation came to a congenial halt.
Hours later, Bill Clinton did his part for party peace by wrapping Obama in his unqualified embrace. 8220;Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she8217;ll do everything she can to elect Barack Obama,8221; Clinton said, a day after his wife pledged her unstinting support. 8220;That makes two of us.8221;
Obama, 47, was at his Denver hotel with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters when history was made. At evening8217;s end, he sent a jolt of electricity through the crowded arena when he strode onstage and embraced running mate Joe Biden, who made his convention debut with a speech that mixed autobiography with policy and pugnacity.
Saluting his erstwhile rival, Obama said: 8220;If I8217;m not mistaken, Hillary Clinton rocked the house last night.8221; The crowd roared. 8220;And just in case you8217;re wondering8230; President Clinton reminded us of what it is when you8217;ve got a President who actually puts people first.8221; The couple, along with their daughter, Chelsea, beamed from the VIP seats.
Obama8217;s installation as the Democratic nominee capped a swift rise that began four years ago at the party8217;s national convention when Obama delivered a soaring keynote address. Bookending his rise is Thursday night8217;s acceptance speech at Invesco Field, a football stadium expected to fill with more than 75,000 people.
On Wednesday, Democrats continued their pounding of Republican John McCain.
Senator John F Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee who once considered McCain as a possible running mate, said 8220;the candidate who once promised a 8216;contest of ideas8217; now has nothing left but personal attacks. How insulting. How pathetic. How desperate8221;.
Obama8217;s formal nomination as the Democrat8217;s standard-bearer came in a choreographed minuet that followed weeks of negotiations between the Clinton and Obama camps. The crowd took up a chant of 8220;Hillary8221;, which gave way to 8220;Obama8221; and 8220;Yes, we can8221;. The presiding officer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, quickly slammed her gavel before any dissent could be heard, and the song Love Train blasted through the speakers.
