Michigan and Florida votes count

DENVER, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Florida delegates to Denver's Democratic National Convention are happy the credentials committee has decided to give them full voting rights.

The panel ruled that Florida and Michigan won't be punished for moving up their 2008 primary elections in defiance of party rules, the Palm Beach Post reported Monday.

"I'm ecstatic," said Florida delegate Wendi Lipsich. "It's all about party unity."

"We realize mistakes have been made, but we're excited in Florida," said Scott Maddox, the former mayor of Tallahassee. "We've lived through hurricanes in Florida and we know that after the storm, the sun always comes out."

Chairwoman Karen Thurman of the Florida Democratic Party thanked the credentials committee on behalf of her state, adding that former Hillary Clinton supporters were now hard at work campaigning for Barack Obama.

The full 2008 Democratic Convention is expected to ratify the committee's decision by acclamation.