Clinton supporters gearing up for speech tonight

DENVER — As Hillary Clinton takes the spotlight Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention, her Utah delegates could not be more excited — unless maybe Clinton herself were the party's nominee and not just the runner-up.

"Yes, I have mixed feelings. But the party had two great candidates this year," said delegate Jenny Wilson, a Clinton delegate from Utah. "I'm not bitter at this stage. I am optimistic about Barack Obama. He's an incredible leader, with an incredible message."

Clinton delegates from Utah met Tuesday morning to discuss options about whether and when they might be able to cast votes for her, and what they would support.

The Associated Press reported that Obama and Clinton officials were trying to work out a deal that would allow Clinton some of her votes in the formal roll call on Wednesday for the presidential nomination, but then end the balloting early in a show of unanimous consent for Obama. Other possible arrangements were also being discussed.

Lisa Allcott, another Utah Clinton delegate, said, "I do want to vote for her on a ballot. I worked hard for her."

But she said Clinton delegates plan to meet with the senator on Wednesday before any votes, "and I will take my direction from her," and do whatever she asks.

State Sen. Ross Romero, another Clinton delegate, said the Utah Clinton delegates in their meeting Tuesday decided essentially the same thing. After voicing different opinions of what they would like to see happen, they decided to wait and see what Clinton herself would like.

Romero said while he is a strong Clinton supporter, he is ready to move over to Obama and work hard to get him elected. He hopes, and believes, other Clinton delegates will come over to the Obama side, as well.

Meanwhile, they are looking forward to her speech Tuesday night.

"I'm very excited," Allcott said, who noted she had already been listening to speeches by Clinton at several other events around Denver. She predicts that most Clinton supporters will strongly support Obama despite some ruffled feathers over how to handle voting at the convention.

"I have way more in common with Barack Obama than I do with John McCain," Allcott said.

Wilson added, "Turning to McCain is just not an option. I can't see any Clinton supporters doing that unless he did something unforgiveable during the campaign. He did not. It was a hard-fought campaign, and it engaged the nation."

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