US Democratic Convention Opens Monday, August 25
DENVER,CO (RUSHPRNEWS) 25 August 2008–The U.S. Democratic Party’s National Convention opens later Monday in Denver, Colorado, where later this week the first-ever African-American candidate will accept his party’s nomination for president of the United States.
But a major challenge to the thousands of Democrats gathering there will be to heal the rift between supporters of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama and his former rival, Hillary Clinton who won 18 million votes in state primaries and caucuses.
Resentment among many Clinton backers still remains coming into the convention, although the U.S Senator and former first lady has said she will release her delegates in a gesture of unity.
Clinton is to address the convention on Tuesday evening.
The candidate’s wife, Michelle, will deliver this evening’s keynote address, formally introducing Barack Obama to the nation.
Delegates will also pay tribute to ailing Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. It is not clear whether Kennedy, who has undergone surgery and chemotherapy for a brain tumor, will attend.
The convention consists of four days of rallies, speeches and meetings, capped by Obama’s acceptance speech on Thursday.
The Republican Party holds its national convention next week.
NEWS SOURCE: VOICE OF AMERICA
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
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