Brief disappointment gives way to elation over nomination

Gov. Jim Doyle celebrates Obama's nomination. (Photo courtesy of Uppity Wisconsin)

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The abbreviated nomination process at yesterday's Democratic National Convention in Denver cut off before Gov. Jim Doyle got the chance to announce Wisconsin's vote tally, leaving some state delegates briefly disappointed.

A state Dem Party official says the final tally was 67 votes for Obama and 21 votes for Clinton.

"For a minute I was upset, but then being the political monster that I am, I understand that these things often happen," Obama delegate Martha Toran said this morning. "More important than the vote was the message. Both Clintons did what they needed to do and that's what counts."

Other Wisconsin delegates said they would have liked their votes to be announced to the convention, but also said that presenting a unified front was more important than hearing from every state.

"It was kind of a bummer that Wisconsin couldn't be a part of the official announcement, but the overall thing was prety well scripted and amazing to listen to," said Obama delegate J.D. Wine of La Crosse. "The magnificent unification of this week has overshadowed any little details like who speaks when or how things are technically recorded."

Bethany Ordaz of Madison said "the entire thing was really incredibly exciting."

"I was a little sad that we didn't see the governor give a quirky announcement to everyone, but I guess that doesn't really matter when you think of the overall process," she said.

Elizabeth Kai Smith, a non-delegate visitor to the convention from Wisconsin, said Obama fans "aren't going to lose any sleep over who said what when."

"I just think this week has been incredibly amazing. It's not every day that you see democracy come to life like this," she said. "If it weren't for Obama, this vivacious spirit would not have overtaken Denver."

-- By Matt Clark