Obama to DNC: Seat Fla., Mich. delegates

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Likely presidential nominee Barack Obama has asked the Democratic Party to grant Florida and Michigan delegates a full vote at the convention, officials say.

Democratic National Committee officials issued a statement Sunday saying the Illinois senator's request will be "the top priority" for the convention credentials committee when its meets Aug. 24.

"As always, our goal is to ensure a fair process and a unified Democratic Party so that we can win in November."

Party officials decided in May to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations but to allow delegates only half a vote. The decision was meant to resolve a controversy growing out of decisions by party officials in the two states to violate national party rules on scheduling primary elections.

Harold Ickes, a supporter of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign for the presidential nomination, said at the time that Clinton had "instructed me to reserve her rights to take this to the credentials committee" at the convention in Denver. That left open the possibility of a contentious battle over seating of delegates.

Clinton decided last week against having her name submitted in nomination at the convention in Denver, a source told the New York Daily News.