Clinton Supporters Push for Roll-Call Vote

The whispers are getting louder about whether Hillary Clinton's name will be placed into nomination.

From the City by the Bay to the Mile High City, Clinton backers are ratcheting up the pressure for a roll call vote two weeks from today. Laura Spanjian, a Clinton delegate, told the San Francisco Chronicle:

It's a simple thing to do, and it's the biggest sign of party unity. If we do that one thing, the Hillary people can get past it - and move on.

The Denver Group is not moving on. In a newspaper ad, "Will Howard Dean and the DNC turn the Democratic Party into the Boston Tea Party," they boldly declare:

Senator Clinton's name must be placed in nomination. Her supporters must be allowed to make speeches on behalf of her candidacy. There must be a true and honest roll call vote with each candidate given an equal chance to win the nomination.

If Democratic processes and principles are not respected, if attempts are made to turn the convention into a coronation instead of choosing a nominee according to Democratic rules and principles, then the party will have a much bigger problem – a genuine revolt of more than 18 million voters. And then, come November, there will be a lot more than tea going over the side.

I asked the group's co-founder, Heidi Li Feldman, whether they will continue to press for a roll call vote in light of Clinton's primetime speaking role. In an email, Feldman wrote:

The Denver Group will press for Senator Clinton's name to be put in nomination followed by truly competitive roll call vote, because we know that whichever candidate were to win such a vote would be more likely to attract enough votes in November to secure a Democratic victory, which is our ultimate hope.

Feldman dismissed fears that a divided party undermines Barack Obama's chances of winning the general election:

The Denver Group is concerned that a facade of unity, rather than genuine support earned via a truly competitive roll call vote at the Convention, will undermine any Democratic presidential contender's chance to win in November.

Clinton could end these divisive moves in a New York minute. Instead, in a live chat, she told her supporters:

I know that there have been a lot of questions on this subject. Senator Obama and I share the goal of ensuring that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected. I want to assure everyone that we are working together with Senator Obama's campaign and the DNC, and I am confident we will have a successful and unified Convention in Denver.

The Clinton-Obama drama continues.