Valley delegates describe Democratic National Convention

“Historic,” “overwhelming,” “unbelievable,” “exciting,” and “kind of fun.”

Those are the words delegates and state legislators from the Mahoning Valley used to describe the Democratic National Convention.

The four-day event culminates Thursday with a speech by Barack Obama accepting the party’s presidential nomination in front of more than 75,000 people at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High.

“To say that you’re thrilled to hear a speech sounds like a pat political response, but I am thrilled to hear his speech,” said state Rep. Tom Letson of Warren, D-64th, an alternate convention delegate. “Everything’s been done with passion and honesty. I’m really impressed.

“It is the Super Bowl of politics,” said state Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, a convention veteran. “People are so excited. It’s historical and people know they’re making a difference.”

State Sen. Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, who is attending the convention, said there are “high, high expectations” for Obama to deliver a great speech.

For the complete story read Thursday’s Vindicator or vindy.com