Economy easily biggest concern for delegates

They come from all over, but one issue seems to dominate conversation

Susie Maand Kim Gregory, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 25, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Kennedy

Minor

Sias

Gonzalez

Prentiss

Quinn

Pae

Denk

Cleary

Chavez

An expected 6,000 delegates will have flooded into Denver by this evening. Reporters Susie Ma and Kim Gregory spoke to a few Sunday.

Faye Kennedy, 77

Oahu, Hawaii

Retired social worker

* What's the biggest concern of the people in your state? The economy.

* If you could give Barack Obama one piece of advice, what would it be? To remember what he learned growing up in Hawaii. Hawaii is all about diversity.

* What do you think of his veep choice? I think he (Obama) did well. It's been said it's not in Obama's DNA to allow him to be negative. I'm not saying Joe Biden is negative, but he's more of a fighter.

* What do you think of John McCain as a candidate? I think McCain is being treated very nicely (by the media). When McCain ran against Bush, (the media) did the same thing to him that they are doing to Obama.

Pat Quinn, 59

Chicago

Lieutenant governor of Illinois

* Biggest concern of people in your state? The economy. The years of Bush and now McCain do not offer much hope for the people in the middle class.

* Best spot for Hillary Clinton? She is a generous person who really cares about people. Hillary will be indispensable in this next four of five days as we develop a common economic agenda.

* McCain? I'm a little disappointed. I feel he should be taking an approach to his campaign that addresses the real issues that affect real voters. . . . If you have seven homes and don't even know that, it indicates a distance from people who own only one home or dream of home ownership.

Daniel Chavez, 56

Sacramento, Calif.

Political consultant

* Biggest concern? The economy and the housing situation.

* Advice to Obama? To remain the father that he is. Reaching out to the community, especially to the Latino community. We are very devoted to our families.

* Best spot for Clinton? I think she should continue to be a cheerleader for the Democratic ticket.

* McCain? I think he's a formidable candidate and a war hero, but he is in the wrong position concerning the Iraq war. We want our housing. We want the rest of the nation to look like California with diversity and minorities.

* What non-convention-related things do you plan to do this week in Colorado? I think we'll take in the parks and some of the natural beauty.

Thelma Sias, 54

Milwaukee, Wis.

Vice president of Utilities of Milwaukee

* Biggest concern? The ability of men and women to provide for their families.

* Advice to Obama? I don't need to give him advice. He has shown enormous courage putting himself and his family at risk to help this nation.

* Veep choice? Joe Biden is an excellent choice. He is willing to stand up and say what he thinks.

* Souvenirs? I'm taking home the sight with my eyes and the sound with my ears of Barack Obama accepting the nomination of president.

CJ Prentiss

Cleveland, Ohio

Former state senator

* Biggest concern? We've lost almost 300,000 jobs under Republican rule. This is the second year of a Democratic governor who has really put forth some innovative ideas about turning the manufacturing jobs we lost into jobs related to alternative energy.

* Advice to Obama?Not use the label "middle class" so much because it separates groups. Focus more on the issues of working Americans.

* McCain? I don't think anyone questions his service, but that's different from being able to move this country in a new direction. I don't see him being able to grasp how to do it. It seems that he wants to mend, not change and those are two different things.

* Non-convention activities? Go to the mountains.

* What's surprised you so far? The limitations of this hotel. There is no hook in the bathroom to hang my towel and only six hangers.

Diane Denk, 58

Kennebunk, Maine

Teacher and volunteer

* Biggest concern? Fuel costs

* Advice to Obama? That it is good to be kind to your opponent, but this is going to be a street fight and I want him to fight back and show no mercy.

* Veep choice? Biden is a brilliant choice. He's a senior statesman with international experience and he knows the ropes.

* Best spot for Clinton? I want her to continue to be an outstanding senator and a terrific adviser and role model for how we all need to pull together to make this a better country.

Frank Minor, 52

Logan Township, New Jersey

Mayor of Logan Township

* Biggest concern? The economy. Also, New Jersey has a fairly large contingent of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and we want to bring them home.

* Veep choice? Delaware is our neighbor so we're happy about it. People in New Jersey are comfortable with Senator Biden.

* McCain? McCain is a third-term of Bush.

* Non-convention activities in Colorado? Visited Red Rocks yesterday.

* When I say Denver, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Broncos.

* Souvenirs? Buttons

* What's the best thing that's happened to you since arriving here for the convention? People's hospitality.

Gabe Gonzalez, 21

Elsa, Texas

Student

* Biggest concern? Immigration, then the economy.

* Advice to Obama? Bring in Hillary supporters.

* McCain? McCain shouldn't be president ever. He's just another Bush.

Jenn Pae, 25

Oakland, Calif.

Project director for PowerPAC

* Biggest concern? Education is a big one. I'm a first generation college grad with student loans. We need to make sure people can access education.

* Best spot for Clinton?There are an immense number of roles she could play. She's broken so many glass ceilings and it's empowering to see her in public office.

* Best thing that's happened to you since arriving here for the convention? The people - from the moment I arrived at the airport to right now, everyone has been phenomenal. People are welcoming and open and their energy has been contagious.

Sandra Cleary, 58

Wooster, Ohio

Retired

* Advice to Obama? You made a big mistake by not putting Hillary on the ticket.

* Veep choice? I like Joe Biden.

* McCain? I don't want McCain for president, that would just be more Bush.

DON'T CALL HIM ISHMAEL

Alaska delegate Rex Okakok, 65, is a whaling captain from Barrow, Alaska.

QUOTABLE

"We've had the NHL, the NBA in town and a lot of big events, but nothing has ever been this big."

Don Woodin, general manager of the Warwick Hotel, on management's 80-page binder detailing everything from security and registration to Lean and Green menu offerings.

GOOD IN A CRISIS

Henry Hooper,

68, Tennessee

* Retired Secret Service agent, covered Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan

* Served as Green Beret during the Vietnam War

* Today: insurance agent.

* Hooper's best convention memory, 1972: "I remember removing one of the activists - Jerry Rubin. I wouldn't necessarily say he was polite when I escorted him off - naturally there were a few choice words that he used, but at least he kept moving."

RANK HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

The Hyatt Denver Tech Center is hosting delegates from Oregon, Arizona and Washington, and hotel managers have noted that there's definitely a hierarchy in assigned rooms, with governors getting the best views and better floors.

AIL TO THE CHIEF

The top five ailments public health officials expect to see among the 6,000 delegates:

* Dehydration

* Chest pains, shortness of breath

* Overheating

* Abdominal pains and nausea

headaches

The culprit: A mix of high altitude and failure to drink enough water

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