Bud Kennedy reports from General Convention

Angry Clinton delegates planning protests
By Bud Kennedy - Fort Worth Star Telegram - Aug. 26, 2008
DENVER — In a campaign of firsts, Hillary Clinton finished second.

Some Democrats still don’t believe it. And that includes some Texans who will be listening for guidance when she speaks tonight at the Democratic National Convention.

In 20 months, the New York senator went from being the predicted 44th president of the United States to off the ticket. Now, she is here telling audiences to vote for Barack Obama mainly because he’s a Democrat.

Clinton delegate Pam Durham of Fort Worth isn’t buying.

"Some women still believe that he lied, cheated and stole the election," she said. "A lot of that is probably true."

Whatever happened during the primaries — including a "Texas two-step" caucus now captured in an investigative film documentary — the current Clinton campaign will end Wednesday.

"We’re disappointed," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, at a party to celebrate the anniversary of the day in 1920 when women won the right to vote.

"We’re very disappointed that she’s not even the vice presidential nominee. We don’t understand that. But we are also far closer than some of us thought possible to seeing a woman president."

Clinton and her followers have spent this week swirling in Mile High melodrama.

First, several Clinton activist groups scheduled a big protest march for today. One group even announced that she would join and speak.

The march is still planned, but without Clinton.

Then, Clinton delegates petitioned for a roll call vote, and some even lobbied superdelegates to reverse votes and nominate her.

As of Monday, Clinton and Obama supposedly had agreed to an abbreviated roll call, letting delegates vote for Clinton but then yielding the nomination.

That is not going to satisfy renegade Clinton supporters, who gathered in a remote warehouse late Sunday night to plan demonstrations.

Their organization is officially the PUMA Political Action Committee. The acronym officially means "People United Means Action," revised from "Party Unity My [Donkey]."

They watched the first cut of a documentary, The Audacity of Democracy, which shows Dallas precinct caucus scenes to allege that Clinton got a raw deal.

Durham, the Fort Worth delegate, was among several quiet Texans in the crowd.

"They’re angry at the corruption in the party," she said, blaming the caucus system and confusion over delegate selection. "I want to put the party back together. But it’s going to take complete honesty and transparency."

Elizabeth McPherson, a retired Tarrant County College instructor and Arlington schoolteacher, came to Denver to march for Clinton.

"I’m mad," she said. "I’m sad. And I’m worried. I think the way they have treated Hillary is terrible. I’ve never felt this insulted and humiliated."

Several women, including Gandy of NOW, noted glumly that Clinton is not even the official keynote speaker Tuesday. She will share billing with Virginia Sen. Mark Warner.

"She’s not even a keynote speaker?" Gandy asked before a reception billed as the Women’s Equali-Tea.

"Exactly what is that about?"

It’s not about winning.

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