Ark. delegation casts its votes for Obama (UALR Public Radio) - The majority of Arkansas' delegates to the Democratic National Convention have cast their votes for Barack Obama.

During the roll call of states Wednesday, the widow of slain state Democratic Party Chairman Bill Gwatney announced that the state was supporting Obama. Rebecca Gwatney was selected to fill her husband's slot in the delegation after her husband was fatally shot at state party headquarters Aug. 13.

Rebecca Gwatney referred to Arkansas as the adopted home of Obama's rival in the primaries, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the state's former first lady. Gwatney noted that 70 percent of voters in the state's February 5th primary voted for Clinton, and said the state had an "unmatched" admiration for the Clintons.

During the roll call vote, the state was recorded as casting all of its 47 delegate votes for Obama. But a state party spokeswoman later said that Gwatney had been cut off before her speech was finished and that the state intended to cast 37 votes for Obama and eight for Hillary. Arkansas Democratic Party spokeswoman Darinda Sharp said she did not know which two delegates did not cast a vote.


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