State Democrats rally, unite

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The Florida Democratic Party made a huge effort to unify activists behind Barack Obama after more than a year of drama over the state's primary and the prolonged battle to see who would secure the nomination.

It pretty much worked.

More than 1,400 attended the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, and there were plenty of signs, stickers and buttons for Obama. Speaker after speaker urged attendees to get behind the Illinois senator whether or not they supported Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"The truth of the matter is, my friends, those of you who supported Hillary Clinton are in many ways the most important people in the room," said Rep. Robert Wexler. "We understand how hard you worked, we understand how emotional and passionate you all are."

But now, Wexler said, Democrats have to come together as a family, and Clinton supporters need to work just as hard for Obama. The crowd's response was less than raucous, but there were certainly signs that activists were moving forward after a nearly evenly divided primary.

Still, many Clinton supporters were feeling the sting of defeat a week after she conceded the race.

"I'm not wearing an Obama sticker only because it's so raw," said Diana Wasserman-Rubin, a Broward County commissioner who was a Clinton fundraiser. "We worked so hard for her."

She said Obama can bring people together if he chooses Clinton as a running mate.

"If we're talking about unifying the party, he should bring her on. At least ask her," Wasserman-Rubin said. "I'm holding out for that moment."

Clinton won Florida's Jan. 29 primary, earning almost 50 percent of the vote, compared to nearly 33 percent for Obama. The election didn't count at the time. The national party stripped Florida of its delegates because the election was held before Feb. 5. Candidates boycotted the state for the four months leading up to the vote.

Florida's delegates were restored last month, but with only a half-vote each.

Stephen Gaskill, a Clinton supporter from Fort Lauderdale, said the dispute over the primary adds some resentment to his candidate's defeat. But he also said Clinton supporters will support Obama against Republican John McCain. "People realize the stakes are so high," Gaskill said. "As Floridians get to know Obama, they'll enthusiastically support him."

In a videotaped message, Obama apologized for not attending the dinner, which raised $750,000 for the state party, but promised he will spend a lot of time in Florida. He is returning to the state in a week.

State Rep. Loranne Ausley, who has been helping the Obama campaign for more than a year, spent the day going around to caucus meetings and talking about her candidate. "There's some healing to do," she said.