obama becomes first african-american presidential nominee in us history

delegates celebrate historic nomination



during the roll call, new mexico yields to illinois, who yields to new york - and then clinton comes out with her new york posse, who all start announcing things in their new york accents... until she takes the mike and proposes obama's nomination by acclamation. it's awesome.



official msn video: hillary clinton calls for a suspension of the roll call and obama's unanimous nomination by acclamation to thunderous applause, 4000 "aye!"s, and copious tears all over the convention floor.

DENVER - Barack Obama, a 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, became the first African-American ever nominated for president by a major political party after delegates to the Democratic National Convention chose him as their standard-bearer Wednesday.

The nomination process, a subject of debate and speculation right up until the voting began late in the afternoon, ended when Obama’s chief rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, asked her supporters to join in accepting Obama’s historic nomination by acclamation.

Illinois passed when its turn in the order came up so it could yield to New York. The hall erupted in cheers as Sen. Clinton approached the microphone.

“With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let’s declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president,” Clinton said, setting off a loud celebration Obama’s nomination became official.

Chants of “Obama, Obama” rang out when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the convention’s chairwoman, reported that Obama had accepted the nomination.

link

brokaw imparts some wisdom



chris matthews and keith olbermann discuss. as usual olbermann is keenly observant and properly respectful of the moment, while matthews... well usually should just not be allowed to speak. he has a few good moments though.

but it's worth it to watch this for olbermann.


this was a fabulous piece of political theatre. i don't think i've ever seen the like.