DENVER -- After a tense day with much uncertainty, Hillary Clinton moved for Barack Obama to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president. The day was capped by former President Bill Clinton, vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, and a surprise appearance by Obama.

Early in the day, The Denver Post reported that voting took place in the delegation hotels.

"The vote, negotiated by the campaigns for presumptive nominee Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, is expected to speed proceedings from the floor of the Pepsi Center tonight, when totals will be read from the floor as part of a roll call vote," the paper reported. The paper also quoted El Paso delegate for Clinton Blanche Darley as saying, "I think it sucks."

The Rocky Mountain News reported that various approaches had been discussed, "including a proposal that Clinton would be permitted a rousing and victorious roll-call vote from New York delegates, only to be answered by a vote for presumptive nominee Barack Obama from the Illinois delegation. That could be followed by a call from Clinton herself to acclaim Obama's nomination."

Clinton was to address her delegates right before the roll call.

El Paso state Rep. Norma Chavez, a member of the Texas delegation, said at 2 p.m. there still was uncertainty about what would happen.

"I've been to four conventions and never had to vote," she said.

Typically, the nominee is voted upon by acclamation, which means the state is unified behind one candidate. In this case, with Clinton's name still on the ballot, delegates might vote from the floor for her, something the Obama camp is trying to avoid.

Later in the day, Minnesota Public Radio reported that Clinton released her delegates, saying "I am not telling you what to do."

By the time the roll call came around, though, she was more direct.

"With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together in one voice right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate," she said, quoted in this AP story.

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Two speeches Wednesday evening stood out: That of former President Clinton, and that of Biden.

Clinton's speech can be read here.

Biden's speech can be read here.

El Paso Congressman Silvestre Reyes said of Clinton's speech, "the whole issue was what kind of a speech President Clinton was going to give and I thought he gave a great speech.

"In order to appreciate how highly regarded he's held, you had to be in the hall. That place lit up once he came out and was announced. Everybody was hanging on every word and I thought his message was terrific."

Biden, Reyes said, "was very sincere, his message I thought resonated, talking about his family history, ups and downs, challenges, and relating it to average American families.

Obama made a surprise appearance after Biden's speech. "I'm glad he did it. One thing I've been concerned about and others have as well, in the venue tomorrow with 70,000 people you don't have the warmth and closeness you have in the Pepsi Center. That was great that he stopped by."

State Rep. Norma Chavez said that "President Clinton sealed the deal. He was forthright and his message was clear, Obama is ready. That was the message. When a very popular president makes that statement it's very very important."

Regarding Biden, Chavez said "it was an introduction. To most people in Middle America I believe he came across as someone with experience in foreign affairs, integrity, and provides balance to the ticket. He's a labor union guy, a foreign policy guy, and he's just Joe Biden."

Obama, she said, "it was a sneak preview to tomorrow night. The big night. For the Democratic Party it's the biggest speech ever given by by nominee. I can't wait."

Not everyone got that message.

A series of Republicans, most prominently former Republican presidental candidate Rudy Giuliani, as ABC News reported, "charged Obama with continuously showing a lack of knowledge and experience on foreign policy during the course of the campaign."

Giuliani used an example from a McCain ad in which Obama purportedly called Iran a "tiny" country that is not a serious threat to the U.S. However, a fact check piece by ABC News quoted Obama's original statement, from which the words were taken out of context.