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home > radio > maine news > news story Maine NewsMaine Convention Delegates Focus on Unity The Democratic National Convention opened officially today in Denver, Colorado. Gathering for breakfast this morning at their downtown hotel were Maine's 31 delegates and super-delegates--some of whom are still pledged to Senator Hillary Clinton. Despite that, the delegates aren't focusing on rifts--they're talking about unity. The buzz-word for Democrats this year has been "change". But this week at the convention, it's "unity". Amid grumblings that Senator Barack Obama hasn't done enough to court the loyalty of delegates committed to Hillary Clinton, Maine's delegates--Clinton and Obama supporters alike--are jumping on the unity bandwagon. Among Obama's most ardent supporters is Maine's youngest delegate. “My name's Ben Goodman and I'm an 18-year old delegate for Barack Obama. I'll be a freshman at the University of Maine.” Goodman, who hails from Kennebunk, says his interest in politics was kindled by his late father's enthusiasm for a maverick senator from Arizona, John McCain. But Goodman says his generation will be better served with Barack Obama in the White House. “They're talking about college affordability, talking about health care, talking about the sacrifices we have to make, so that we know what's at stake in this election because it's going to affect our generation more than perhaps any other represented here in Denver.” One of the oldest delegates has a different view. Betty Johnson, of Lincolnville, is 68 years old and a Clinton supporter. “I mean all of us are disappointed, we're Hillary Clinton delegates, we are. But we have to get by it and we need to leave here very united, and that's part of my job.” Johnson, who's attending her third convention, will be the floor representative from the Clinton campaign to the Maine delegation. She says delegates pledged to Clinton haven't been released to vote for Obama yet. While Hillary Clinton is expected to release them later in the week, Sam Spencer, a Maine super-delegate, says it's important for the Obama campaign to recognize Clinton supporters. “I know that Clinton supporters had a lot invested in the campaign and feel very passionate about Hillary Clinton and I'm hoping we can leave this convention united to win in the fall.” Delegates also have to unite behind Obama's choice of Delaware Senator Joe Biden as a running mate. Spencer says it's a choice he's warmed up to. “I didn't quite get it at first, but he brings foreign policy experience, and he also brings a sort of working class roots, he's like your next door neighbor. I think regular people really relate to him, and he doesn't have any pretensions about him, and he's also incredibly accomplished, so I think it's a great combination of change and experience.” Spencer says he plans to get some feedback from constituents in Maine on Obama's choice of Biden and other campaign issues through a daily video blog he'll post to his Facebook and YouTube web sites. People can check out his blog at samspencer.org. But the choice of Biden is getting a warm reception from the Maine delegates, including Portland delegate Jon Hinck. “I think together they have a lot of complimentary attributes and I'm thinking they'll work out as a team very well.” Hinck and the other delegates were getting ready to head out to a variety of events and workshops scheduled throughout the week. While those events can be a lot of fun, Hinck says Maine's delegates are in Denver to tackle some crucial business. “The convention is full of pageantry and fun, but underlying it is some very serious matters, the most important of which is getting the country on track with the right leadership, and we're doing that business this week and I'm looking forward to a good result.” For Democrats, that good result will be a winning homerun for Obama at this convention. First up at bat in prime time tonight is the senator's wife, Michelle Obama.
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