The Roll Call: The View From My Eyes
[Cross posted @ Women and Politics]
Getting into Pepsi Center on the day of the Role Call Vote seemed easier than normal. Although the security was the same as any other day there were not as many people entering at 3 p.m. I wasn’t sure if it was too early or if many people hadn’t realized the significance of the events of the day.
This day I was able to go behind the podium and watch the big screen, escorted of course. I took pictures and video of the view, watching some states cast their vote. There were screams and cheers for both Obama and Clinton as the votes were cast.
Alabama was up first to cast 48 votes for Obama, Alaska followed suit, with Arizona the first to cast votes for Clinton. California, with 441 votes, passed on casting their vote. Everyone began to wonder what was going to be the outcome, with so many votes not included in the count. States were called in alphabetical order declaring which votes were going to Obama and Clinton. Illinois also passes on casting the vote. Michigan, a highly contested state, was able to cast their votes. Voting 125 for Barack Obama and 27 votes for Hilary Clinton.
The states follow suit with casting each vote until Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls upon the State of New York, Mayor Daley. Several people are moving to the front of the line. As you listen to Daley he moves slightly and you see Senator Hilary Clinton. The audience begins to chant “Hilary, Hilary, Hilary” after Sen. Clinton asks to suspend the procedural rules and suspend the conduct of roll call. She goes on to say,
“all votes cast by the delegates will be counted and I move that Sen. Barack Obama be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls for the motion and accepts the nomination of Barack Obama. The whole event was moving and exciting. Many people around had been brought to tears.
