When do they traditionally have the roll call vote? The last night?

It's a good idea to have the vote and include Clinton and Edwards. It shouldn't be a problem. Obama claims the nomination, the crowds roar, all is well in the garden.

A Typical Day at the Convention - Democratic National Convention

DNC Chairman Governor Howard Dean acts as the Temporary Chair of the 2008 Convention and will call the Convention to order on Monday. The first item of formal business for the Convention to act on is the report of the Credentials Committee, which will resolve all questions concerning the seating of delegates. The second item of business is the report of the Rules Committee. Among its many responsibilities, the Rules Committee will recommend the permanent Convention officers, including the Permanent Convention Chair. Following approval of the Rules Committee report by Convention delegates, it is presumed that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will take the gavel as the Permanent Convention Chair. At past Conventions, the keynote address has typically been on Monday evenings.

The Tuesday of the Convention has generally featured debate and discussion of the Party’s proposed National Platform.

In the past, the Wednesday of the Convention kicked off the Party’s formal presidential nominating process with nominating and seconding speeches for presidential candidates being given. The alphabetical roll call of states and territories by the Convention Secretary is a memorable feature of past Wednesday nights. Sometimes the Party’s presumptive vice presidential candidate will also speak on Wednesday.

The final day of the Convention – Thursday – features the nomination of the vice presidential candidate. The Convention concludes with the acceptance speech of the Party’s presidential nominee.

No matter who I supported in the primary once it's over I go with the nominee.This ones over & Obama is the nominee.Therefore,I believe Clinton delegates should vote for Obama.

But as R's pointed out if you are a duly elected delegate you can vote for who you want & if delegates want put Clinton's name up & vote for her thats their right under the rules.

At the '68 Democratic Convention McCarthy & McGovern had 0 chance of winning but were placed in nomination for a cause.Ditto for Jackson @ the '84 & '88 Democratic Conventions.

On the other hand @ the '68 Republican Convention Rockefeller & Reagan were placed in nomination because they thought they could force a 2nd ballot & win.Ditto for HHH @ the'72 Democratic Convention & Reagan @ the '76 Republican Convention.

Clinton delegates can make the case for the cause of her being the first woman to have a real shot @ the presidency.If delegates want to pursue that they can.However,there is no chance of her winning.

But what Clinton folks must be very careful about is how many of her delegates are now actively supporting Obama & are going to vote Obama @ the convention.In my opinion if Clinton misplays her hand & is placed in nomination & only gets 4-500 votes it will hurt her.It could be Clinton is placed in nomination then,after the roll call,Senator Clinton from the floor(she is a super delegate)moves the nomination unanimouse.

Again it is every delegates right to vote for whoever they want but I believe when it's over it's over & this ones over.

I'm with you on following the rules, but "Fair" challenging of the current pledged delegate count doesn't necessarily equal "Untainted".

In an election where Party Unity might decide the election, an unnecessary challenge could be counterproductive, adding more controversy and fueling existing resentment.

Within the confines of the DNC rules, allow the Obama to go unchallenged, or with minimal symbolic challenge. Hillary Clinton could voluntarily make this happen, and the Clintons could begin to repair the wounds of a toughly fought primary, and their own place in history.

I agree. I don't quite get all this media-driven hand-wringing regarding Democratic party unity.

If the GOP had had a close primary, would we be seeing all these doubts raised that the party would rally behind the nominee?

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

Here is the thing, they can't stop her. In 2004, two names were called, John Kerry and Dennis Kucinich. The DNC can't and won't change the rules so that only Barack Obama's name can be thrown out there. But what the other candidates can do, is refuse the nomination by the convention delegates, release them from their pledge, and ask them to support the presumptive nominee.

This decision won't be Pelosi, Dean, or Obama's, it'll be Hillary Clinton's. However, they'll probably not talk much about the issue until the convention, to save the Super-delegates from being inundated with calls from the Insanocrat Deadenders who think Hillary still has a shot at the nomination.

While it's true that elected delegates can vote however they choose, the campaigns take great pains to pick delegates who pledge strong loyalty to their candidate. So the sense in which a delegate is pledged is that the delegate himself/herself pledged support.

Party regulars have a lot to lose if they go their own way after a public vow of support. Clinton's supporters will remain firm if not released.

Insurgents have passion. Obama's supporters will remain firm, too, although the caucus processes may elect delegates who are a little more subject to changing their minds.

Liberty and justice for all.

My home

Dean Confirms Hillary Will Be On Ballot

Talked to a Clinton delegate yesterday.

Didn't think Hillary would be placed in nomination.

"She doesn't want that." was the way the Clinton
delegate put it.

In 2004 I went to Boston as a pledged delegate for Edwards. Even though Kerry had secured the nomination, I still proudly cast my pledged vote for Edwards as a symbolic gesture for my support of Edwards.
It is the right of EVERY delegate to cast their vote. Although I support Obama, his campaign and the DNC have turned my stomach to think they will try to stop Democracy and not allow folks to cast their vote. As mentioned above, Obama does NOT have the nomination. He doesn't have the pledged votes to win. This is the big difference between now and 2004. And they are worried as they should be. It would only take a handful of delegates to change the outcome to Clinton. And quite frankly, if team Obama and the DNC keep trying to deny people the right to vote, I will gladly switch my vote to Clinton.

Oh, I seriously doubt Edwards will be on the ballot. He might not even be at the convention.