Loyalty is deeply rooted for some Kentucky Clinton delegates

DENVER – Though it is ostensibly an Obama gathering, supporters of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) undeniably have a presence at this year’s Democratic National Convention in Denver. Among the rows of t-shirt vendors hawking Obama t-shirts and caps, some dedicated supporters of Clinton are making the rounds decked out in memorabilia harkening back to her presidential campaign that has been officially suspended since early June.

Pro-Clinton sentiment in the Kentucky delegation is noticeable, and for good reason: Clinton carried the state’s May 20 primary by 35 points over the eventual presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

As speculation abounds about the significance of a roll call vote with Clinton’s name on the ballot, some of the Commonwealth’s Clinton delegates are clear that they will vote for the New York senator if given the opportunity.

“I was elected by over 84,000 Democrats in western Kentucky to represent Hillary Clinton, and if her name is on the ballot, that is what I plan to do,” said delegate Pat Vincent, of Nebo, a former chair of the Hopkins County Democratic Party.

Calls of “unity” will likely reverberate through the Pepsi Center over the four days of the convention, but for some Kentucky Clinton delegates, their persistent support may be a reflection of their dedication to the candidate as opposed to an attempt to sow discontent.

Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs says her commitment to Clinton began on the day the New York senator officially announced her candidacy – the same day Fuchs founded the Kentucky branch of Team Hillary.

Fuchs says she expected to support the candidacy of former U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) in the 2008 presidential race, but quickly realized she favored the Clinton camp.

“Here is the best qualified human being in a generation who is willing to take this on after the things that have been done to her politically over her husband’s time in the White House,” said Fuchs. “I thought if she’s got the guts to go, I’ve got the guts to help her.”

Fuchs and other Clinton supporters shortly thereafter formed the nucleus of Team Hillary Kentucky – a state-based organization Fuchs says pre-dated even the national incarnation.

During the hectic primary and caucus season, Clinton supporters from Kentucky travelled across the country to campaign for the New York senator in the host states of many early primaries and caucuses.

The effort was a noticeable one, according to Fuchs. Fuchs told PolitickerKY.com that Clinton herself personally expressed her gratitude for the continual presence of Kentuckians at campaign stops across the country.

“Hillary noticed it and appreciated it,” Fuchs said.

Now, Fuchs and other Clinton delegates are in Denver as Obama is lauded as the presumptive nominee of the party. Still, Clinton supporters are working for recognition of their favored candidate.

Fuchs and Vincent both participated in a petition effort that would push for a roll call vote at the Convention with Clinton’s name on the ballot. Signees of the petition received green pins emblazoned with the number “300” on them – symbolic of the required number of delegate signatures.

Though it appears more than likely that such a roll call will occur without the submission of the petition, Fuchs said distributing the pins to signees and collecting their signatures was still important.

“There were so many of us that had already done it that for historical purposes, if nothing else, Hillary needed to have them,” said Fuchs. “So I was honored yesterday to go over and pick up all of the pins.”

Fuchs says Kentucky’s status as a Clinton stronghold during the Democratic primaries has garnered recognition from fellow Clinton supporters in Denver. The percentage of Kentucky’s delegation that signed the roll call petition was higher than in any other state – a feat that Fuchs says earned applause from the project’s organizers.

Even so, by coming to a convention set to nominate Obama, Fuchs said she was initially worried about how Clinton supporters would fit in.

“I had been concerned, and I would be less than forthcoming if I didn’t admit to being anxious to see how the reception would be,” said Fuchs.

Still, the concern appears to have been unneeded thus far through the convention.

“I can tell you that it has been lovely. It’s been truly lovely – especially within our delegation,” said Fuchs. “I’ve had people come up to me on the streets of Denver and thank us for how hard we worked. It’s been wonderful.”

Fuchs’ sentiment was echoed by Nathan Smith, the Kentucky Democratic Party’s vice chair who ultimately gave his superdelegate vote to Obama in early June.

Pointing to the intermingling of the Kentucky delegates at the Monday morning delegation breakfast, Smith dismissed the idea that there was any division in the delegation.

“You can see right now, everybody is coming together,” said Smith. “This isn’t anything that is a big issue."

Still, like Vincent, Fuchs and several other Clinton delegates interviewed by PolitickerKY.com expect to vote for Clinton at the convention.

“My focus has been as a delegate who represents the 62,400-plus Kentuckians who, by their vote, sent me here to vote for Senator Clinton at the convention,” said Fuchs. “I expect to cast my ballot for Senator Clinton.”

Win or lose, however, Fuchs said the entire process was worthwhile for her.

“It’s been an incredible experience,” Fuchs said.