N.D. Dems hope to have Obama at state convention

BISMARCK - North Dakota Democrats are hoping to snag presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama as their state convention's keynote speaker, a party official confirmed today.

"Efforts have been made to get him to be our keynote speaker," party Communications Director Rick Gion said today. But there's no definitive answer yet, he said.

Gion would not confirm that Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., is involved in the efforts to get Obama to the state, but said, "I think all our federal delegation would like to have him come."

While agreeing that Obama's presence could ensure a large attendance at the convention, Gion said that would likely be the case regardless.

"With the heavy turnout in the caucuses, we're expecting a lot of people at the convention," he said.

Democrats drew more than 19,000 participants to its Feb. 5 presidential preference caucuses, nearly double the turnout four years ago. Obama captured 11,625 votes, for 61 percent.

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