Hillary Clinton's statement on releasing her delegates

DENVER -- Hillary Clinton earlier today addressed about 4,000 supporters in a cavernous meeting room in downtown Denver, just a few minutes away from the site of the Democratic National Convention, and officially released her delegates.

Here's a transcript of her comments, as provided by The Times' Peter Nicholas:

We’ve been cooperating and discussing how to have a unified convetion with the [Barack] Obama campaign and I think we’re off to a real good start, don’t you?

Now, it is traditional and we’ve tried to really bring the traditions of the Democratic Party to this convention. Because it is traditional that we have nominations, that we have a roll call ...

As part of that tradition, I am here today to release you as my delegates.

Now, let me say what that means. What that means is that both Sen. Obama’s name and mine will be put into nomination this afternoon, and I have spoken to many of you who have expressed your questions about what you should do. Now, many of you feel a responsibility to represent the voters in the states who sent you here.

And others of you after this long journey we’ve been on want the chance to vote what’s in your heart.

Still others will be voting for Sen. Obama because they want to demonstrate their personal commitment to unity of this party behind our nominee.

So I am not telling you what to do. Because you come here from so many different places, having made this journey and feeling in your heart what is right for you to do. Now, I signed my ballot this morning for Sen. Obama. But a lot of other people who are signing their ballots have made a different choice.

What is so important is that at the end of today, we will nominate Barack Obama and Joe Biden for the president and vice president of the United States.

-- Don Frederick

Join those receiving every Ticket item -- plus special offline tweets from The Ticket's writers -- sent directly to your cellphone. To register for free instant Twitter updates from The Ticket, go here to "follow" us.

Comments

[Alessandro Machi]

If all the pledged delegates voted either for the candidate who won their district, voted the same way their state went, or voted for who is the better candidate, Hillary Clinton would win, especially if this lead was then used to have the superdelegates vote for the stronger candidate. Hillary Clinton actually won more pledged delegates from all the primaries even when Florida and Michigan are not counted.

But then that would mean being sneaky in the caucus states while also avoiding mano a mano competition where millions of voters reside (the primary states), to help ensure a questionable lead would be outed for what it is, nonsense.

http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http;//www.HILLARY-WINS.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com
http://www.HILLARYCLINTONFORUM.net

[jonas]

If all the die-hard Hillary Clinton supporters were actually in support of her, they'd vote accordingly, for Obama, and not attempt to spread their ridiculous conspiracy theories and pursue their own agendas. Still supporting Hillary's primary campaign is ridiculous. It's over. Get over it. Voting for McCain in protest over Hillary losing the primary is ridiculous. If you support Hillary, you support Obama. Get over yourselves and do what's best for you, for me, for the party, for the country, and for the world. No way, no how, no McCain.

[L]

No way, no how, Nobama! Never!

PUMA!

[jonas]

Thanks for dropping by to add strength to my point, L.

[mILLIE]

Hillary has to support Obama or the Democratic Party would crucify here as they did Joe L. Hope Bill can get some digs in tonight. Hillary has one more chance in 4 more years. Believe the Clintons know in their hearts that Obama would not be good for our country.

Clinton supporters: VOTE FOR MC CAIN THIS TIME

[L]

Jonas, I do not trust Obama. Clinton's endorsement means nothing to me. She's being a good little soldier for the party.

[Karen]

Hillary supporters need to learn to count - Obama has ALWAYS led in elected delegates!!!! All Hillary's plan was after Super Tuesday was to steal the elction.

[Hilary Smith]

Hillary acted with such class. As an Obama supporter, I didn't think she had it in her. She really surprised and touched me when she released her delegates because I know it was very hard for her. I'm so proud of Hillary.