DNC roll call produces drama, comedy

DENVER, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Barack Obama had 1,549.5 votes when the Democratic National Convention in Denver suspended the roll call and declared him the party nominee by acclamation.

Two states passed when asked how they voted -- California and Illinois, Sen. Obama's home state. New Mexico yielded the floor to Illinois, which yielded the floor to New York.

Speaking for the New York delegation, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's primary challenger, moved that the delegates declare Obama the Democratic presidential nominee as a show of unity. The Pepsi Center erupted in cheers.

The roll call began without fanfare.

"The roll call shall continue until we have a nominee," said Alice Travis Germond, secretary of the Democratic National Convention.

Alabama led off the voting, casting 48 votes for Obama and five for Clinton.

When it was time for Florida to announce its tallies, Germond said, "We're so happy you're here" as she announced the Sunshine State had 211 "full votes."

Whether Florida would have a voice in the DNC nominating process was in doubt because it and Michigan moved their primaries ahead of their scheduled times.

When Germond asked America Samoa to repeat its tally, she added, "We Democrats count our votes right."