Video & Photos: Historic Barack Obama Democratic Presidential Nomination by Acclamation Democratic National Convention 2008 8-27-08

Hillary Clinton calls for nomination by acclamation for Barack Obama as Democratic Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 26, 2008

Senator Barack Obama officially became the Democratic Presidential candidate; nominated by acclamation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 27, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.

It was a scripted scenario, the outcome never in doubt. But when history arrived on the floor of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, it came with the full force of emotion.

After an especially long primary season, after private wrangling and public battle, the Democratic Party became the first major party to select an African-American nominee for president in the nation’s history.

Hillary Clinton calls for nomination by acclamation for Barack Obama as Democratic Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 26, 2008
Senator Hillary Clinton with New York Senator Chuck Shumer (3rd R), New York Gov. David Paterson (R) and New York State Rep. Sheldon Silver

With a roar of approval and a sparkle of flashing cameras, the convention’s delegates nominated by acclamation Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who just four years ago electrified the Democratic convention with a speech where he first called for “a politics of hope.” That message carried him in this election season to the top of his party’s ticket.

“I never thought I’d live this long to see this,” said Albert Lewis, a Hawaii delegate, where Obama grew up. “I’m very proud to be an American today.”

Hillary Clinton calls for nomination by acclamation for Barack Obama as Democratic Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 26, 2008
Senator Hillary Clinton (2nd L) New York Senator Chuck Shumer (3rd R), New York Gov. David Paterson (R) and New York State Rep. Sheldon Silver

Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Congressman Charles Rangel during the nomination by acclamation for Barack Obama as Democratic Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 26, 2008
(L-R) Chelsea Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, Congressman Charles Rangel

“In the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory,” Clinton said, “let’s declare together in one voice, right here right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate.”

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Crowd reacts after nomination by acclamation for Barack Obama as Democratic Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 26, 2008

Although it had been expected for months, the impact of Obama’s nomination rippled out from the Denver convention hall.

Charles Evers, the brother of slain civil rights leader Evers and a Republican supporter of Barack Obama, was listening to the nomination coverage on television Wednesday night before hosting his radio show, Let’s Talk, on WMPR-FM in Jackson, Miss.

The nomination is “one of the greatest things that ever happened in my 86 years,” Evers said. “I know Medgar, Martin (Luther King) and others never dreamed they would see this day. Forty-five years ago we couldn’t do this. Medgar was killed 45 years ago trying to get the right to be heard, period.”

“This is a monumental moment in our nation’s history,” Martin Luther King III, the civil rights icon’s oldest son, told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “And it becomes obviously an even greater moment in November if he’s elected.”

Source: Historic night: Democrats unite around Obama

Photo credit: Getty Images North America, New York Times

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