The Arkansan serving as chair of the state’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention was decidely vague about how the state will handle today’s presidential nomination vote.

There are questions as to whether delegates pledged to Hillary Clinton will remain loyal to her for the vote, expected to start after 4 p.m. Central. Clinton has released her delegates from their commitment so that they can vote for presumptive nominee Barack Obama.

How that shakes out with the Arkansas delegation remains to be seen

Karla Bradley of Fayetteville wouldn’t give Natural State reporters any sort of
indication how the vote would go for Arkansas’ 47 delegates. Only eight are pledged to Obama.

“We’re following the procedures to the utmost and we have informed our delegates of the procedures,” said Bradley, the first vice-chair of the state party. “What I do want to say is we are unified and we will be unified in our effort to elect Barack Obama.”

If Clinton supporters stay behind her, a narrow nomination victory for Obama could indicate lingering resentment in the party over a bitter primary campaign. A sweeping Obama win would show the unity Democrats so much want to demonstrate in Denver.

On the other hand, Clinton votes today could simply mean delegates want to recognize her for her 18 million votes. In Arkansas specifically, Clinton won 70 percent of the Democratic primary vote.

“We’re not in any way, form or fashion in the vote anti-Obama,” said Jason Willett, a delegate from Jonesboro.

Willett is Clinton’s “whip” for Arkansas, which means he will be responsible for encouraging Clinton delegates to stick with their commitment.