CHARLOTTE, N.C. Colorado isnt quite front and center at this weeks Democratic National Convention, but its close.
The states delegates sit near the stage, just behind President Barack Obamas home state of Illinois.
And seven Coloradans are speaking at the convention, highlighted by Gov. John Hickenlooper and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
They all fit into the Democratic conventions script of praising Obamas accomplishments and character.
Barack and Michelle Obama lived lives like we all do, commuting to work, picking up kids, balancing the checkbook, Salazar said in his Tuesday night address, which he delivered in his white cowboy hat and bolo tie.
Salazar shared his story of growing up without electricity in the San Luis Valley and drew comparisons to Obamas life. In his seven-minute speech, Salazar repeated another convention theme by saying Republican candidate Mitt Romney doesnt get it because he hasnt lived a middle class life.
In an interview, he predicted that Obama will carry Colorado this November.
Salazar won election as Colorado attorney general and then U.S. senator at a time when Republicans dominated the state.
Thats because I had walked the path of the common man. And thats the path Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and their family have walked, he said.
Three private citizens and two members of Congress from Colorado were also slated to address the convention.
The gathering concludes tonight (Thursday) with speeches by Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. They originally planned to speak outside at the Carolina Panthers football stadium, but on Wednesday morning, organizers announced that they would move proceedings back inside because of the threat of thunderstorms.
First Lady Michelle Obama closed Monday nights program, in an echo of last weeks Republican convention where Ann Romney spoke about her husband.
Both women talked about their love for their husbands and told stories of their early days together that were written to appeal to regular folks.
The man who is now president used to pick up his wife for dates in a car that was so rusted out, I could actually see the pavement going by through a hole in the passenger side door, she said.
Michelle Obama never mentioned Romney by name, but she hinted at Democrats criticism of his business life when she talked about the way she and the president were raised.
We learned about honesty and integrity that the truth matters, that you dont take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules, and success doesnt count unless you earn it fair and square, she said.
The president hasnt let the White House change him, and he still sits down for dinner with his family most nights, Michelle Obama said.
joeh@cortezjournal.com
