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After Speech, Clintons Make Cameo At Delegate Party

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By BILLY HOUSE and WILLIAM MARCH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

DENVER - Delegates from Florida and three other big states won by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primaries got a late-night surprise Tuesday: a visit from the New York senator herself.

Less than two hours after delivering her "unity speech" at the Democratic National Convention, Clinton made her unexpected special appearance at a delegate party in the club lounge at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"Thank you, thank you!" Clinton said to the delegates from Florida, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Appearing with Clinton was her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who will speak to the convention tonight. Their daughter, Chelsea, also was there.

The Clintons' entry into the room caught most of the 300 delegates and guests off-guard. They quickly gathered around, cheering and snapping cameras as the Clintons were adoringly introduced to the room by Govs. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Jon Corzine of New Jersey and David Paterson of New York.

As in her speech, Clinton urged delegates to not take the fall election for granted and to rally around Sen. Barack Obama.

"Some people think all we have to do in November is show up," she said.

President Clinton, in a bittersweet moment, joked that his wife's speech had been so good that he would "forgive her in advance" for "making it look like I don't know how to give a talk."

Notably absent from the room was Sen. Clinton's top Florida supporter and senior elected Democrat, Bill Nelson. But both Nelson and state Sen. Arthenia Joyner were among those the Clintons thanked by name. Party officials wouldn't say where Nelson was.

The event was closed to the media, though a small number of reporters had tickets.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@tampatrib.com or (202) 662-7673. Reporter William March can be reached at wmarch@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7761.

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