Democrats name Obama first black major US party nominee

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — Democrat Barack Obama Wednesday made history as Democrats formally nominated him by acclamation as the first black presidential nominee of a major political party.

Obama's defeated rival Hillary Clinton dramatically halted a roll-call vote at the Democratic National Convention and proposed the Illinois senator be nominated by acclamation in a gesture of unity after a bruising primary race.

"I move Senator Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclamation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States," Clinton said from the convention floor, surrounded by her New York delegation.

Several Clinton supporters wiped tears from their eyes, as she made the announcement, and some African-American...