Obama wants Florida, Michigan restored in full

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama, now safely secure in the party nomination, called Sunday for the renegade states of Michigan and Florida to be restored with full voting power.

His call represents an olive branch to Democratic officials and voters in two states that will be vital players in November's presidential election.

But it could also open Obama to charges of opportunism after his campaign had fought hard to punish the states and so curtail Hillary Clinton's dogged challenge for the Democratic nomination.

Obama said that despite a hard-fought compromise struck in late May, the two states' delegates should enjoy full participation in the late-August Democratic convention for the sake of party unity.

Obama said he...