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August 23, 2008

Two area Clinton delegates ready for convention

They’ll vote for Hillary on 1st ballot and then get on board with Obama.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE -- Democratic delegates Mark Bufalino and Mike Butera plan to vote for Hillary Clinton on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week. Once that formality is over, they – and all Democrats attending the conclave – are expected to throw their full support behind Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

“We’re Democrats,” Bufalino said. “We are good, loyal Democrats. In the end, Sen. Obama won the nomination and we have to support him and put an end to the Bush administration for good.”

The 45th Democratic National Convention will be called to order on Monday in Denver, Colo. Obama will deliver his acceptance speech Thursday night. Obama is expected to announce his vice presidential selection today.

Butera, of West Pittston, said he sees Obama winning Luzerne County, northeastern Pennsylvania and the state to become the 44th president. Obama is opposed by presumptive Republican candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

“The vast majority of Democrats have a lot more in common with Obama than they do McCain,” Butera said. “We don’t want a continuation of Bush policies that got us in the position we are in today.”

Both are attorneys and were staunch Clinton supporters. Clinton defeated Obama in the Pennsylvania primary, winning Luzerne and Lackawanna counties by 3-1 margins.

“It’s not that Obama wasn’t so popular here,” Bufalino, of Trucksville, said. “It’s more that Sen. Clinton is extremely popular in this region. Believe me, people aren’t going to risk four more years of Bush policies over sour grapes.”

Butera and Bufalino, said they would be happy if Obama selected Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.

“Being from Scranton, Sen. Biden knows northeast Pennsylvania,” Butera said.

Both expect Obama to campaign in the region before the Nov. 4 general election.

“He appreciates the value of these two counties,” Butera said.

In addition to Bufalino and Butera, the other Democratic delegates are:

• 10th Congressional District: Mary Kate Culkin, Clarks Summit; Ann M. Bursis, Honesdale; Jesse A. Salazar, Dalton; and alternate delegate Julie P. Brennan, State College.

• 11th Congressional District: Evie Rafalko McNulty, Scranton; Rosemary Boland, Scranton; Donald M. Hart, Dunmore; Rita M. Boyle, Mountain Top; and alternate delegate James J. Tait, Drums.

Maria Ciuferri-Wansacz, wife of state Rep. Jim Wansacz, was chosen as a delegate at-large by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Ciuferri-Wansacz was on the ballot for alternate delegate in the 11th District and was the top vote-getter. However, because of the Democratic Party rules regarding demographic representation, a male had to win the spot.

Go to www.timesleader.com to read daily accounts from Mark Bufalino and Mike Butera.

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