Nevada Democrats wrap up convention
by Martin Griffith - Associated Press
May 18, 2008 | 339 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
RENO – Delegates at the Nevada Democratic Convention voted Sunday to add platform planks calling for an end to the war in Iraq and support of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling legalizing abortion.

Party spokeswoman Kirsten Searer said nearly 1,000 remaining delegates overwhelmingly approved the two planks on a voice vote, even though they were not included in the original platform.

"There was no heated discussion over any of the planks," she said. "We have a lot of unity today."

The state platform also calls for the expansion of GI Bill benefits, a pathway of citizenship for undocumented workers in the U.S., the repeal of both the Patriot and Real ID acts and the creation of a universal health care system.

It also calls for efforts to make Nevada a leader in the development of renewable energy, noting the state's richness in solar, wind and geothermal power.

On Saturday, a vote of more than 2,500 convention delegates broke 55-45 percent in Obama's favor, giving Obama 14 of Nevada's 25 pledged delegates to the National Democratic Convention in Denver this summer to Clinton's 11.

The shift is a gain of one pledged delegate for Obama over the split calculated after the state's January caucuses.

Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas was among those selected as pledged Obama delegates, while Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid and state Treasurer Kate Marshall were among those chosen as pledged Clinton delegates.

Nevada also will send eight superdelegates, including Sen. Harry Reid, and an unpledged, or "add-on," delegate to the national convention.

Nevada Democrats on Sunday also elected five party members to the Electoral College: Theresa Navarro and Tahis Castro, both of Washoe County; Ruby Duncan and state Sen. Maggie Carlton, both of Clark County; and Ron Hibble of Lincoln County.
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