DENVER -- Florida's delegates to the Democratic National Convention were thinking about votes Tuesday -- those being cast at home and those to be cast Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.Tuesday's Florida primary shapes the fall races Democrats hope will tilt the balance of power in the state more in their favor. Wednesday's vote in Denver is largely ceremonial. But you couldn't tell that by the tone of the daily breakfast meeting.In the primary, the dies have already been cast. Those most affected, the candidates, are largely absent in Denver, staying home to campaign. Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman said she was trying to find a way to pass Tuesday night's results along to delegates on the crowded and chaotic convention floor, but aside from that, little notice was taken of Tuesday's primary.Wednesday's vote, in which delegates will cast a ballot for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for president is a more critical moment for Democrats.They need to strike a balance between showing respect for Clinton, so as not to disaffect her supporters, and presenting a unified front to the nation.Florida is in the middle of that mix, a swing state whose convention votes were slashed because the state defied party rules and moved its presidential preference vote to January, only to have those votes re-instated at the last minute.State party leaders spent a good chunk of Tuesday's gathering trying to explain how the vote will take place Wednesday, a task made difficult because the process hadn't been finalized.Terri Brady, a former chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, had the difficult job of bringing delegates up to speed. In the past, delegations would vote row by row from their seats in the convention hall. The results would be passed on to the party chair, who would announce them when called upon from the podium.This year, delegates are being asked to sign a paper ballot stating their choice. Votes can be cast as early as 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, before the Pepsi Center even opens. Brady urged delegates to get their ballots in early, so as not to confuse what threatens to be an already confusing evening. "We don't want our chairman to have to say, 'Florida passes,'" Brady said, citing what could occur if Florida hasn't tallied its votes when recognized.The precarious nature of the Obama/Clinton vote set for Wednesday was reflected in Brady's words. "Both will be nominated. They have worked out a party unity strategy ... to walk away with a unified voice," Brady said. "We're going to do it with respect, dignity and honor."She added, "All of this could change as the day progresses."The party unity strategy likely involves Clinton -- after the first vote shows Obama with more delegates -- asking for a second vote in which Obama is nominated by acclamation.After the delegation breakfast ended, Thurman was still trying to reassure Clinton supporters that they can vote however they want. "I'm not telling anyone how to vote, it doesn't have to be unanimous," Thurman told one delegate conflicted over his loyalty to Clinton and his desire to present a unified front."It's going good," Thurman said later. "Some people are anxious, which is understandable."(Brent Batten is a political columnist for the Naples Daily News in Florida.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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