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(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
The Democrats' time in the spotlight is now fading, and for Utah's delegation, the week is ending on a very high note.
From the beginning, the Democrats' goals were to unify Hillary Clinton supporters with Barack Obama supporters, link John McCain with President Bush and gather support for Joe Biden. For Utah's delegates, that's happened.
Obama's speech was the climax to a week a lot of people say started slow but ended with a bang. For Democrats, there is now huge potential to gain momentum nationwide and to define the choice voters will face in November.
Utah delegate Julie Day said, "I think those choices are becoming clearer and clearer between what's being offered by the Republicans and what the Democrats are offering the American people."
Even today, there were rumblings about hard feelings over the split between Hillary Clinton and Obama supporters. Most feel that has been resolved.
In general, Democrats have a larger focus this time. Wayne Holland, Chair of the Utah Democratic party, said, "If we hadn't seen, if we didn't have a more clear vision, Democrats, this time around, because of the last eight years, then things would be different. But I'm not concerned."
In fact, Utah Republicans face their own split-party issues because of die-hard Mitt Romney supporters.
But there are still other issues for Democrats. They're still very interested in getting more information on Obama's economic and energy policies, on health care and energy and transportation reform. His tax policies are another point that might require some 'selling'.
Alternate Utah Democratic delegate Charles Henderson said, "There are going to be some situations where we're going to have to bite the bullet, otherwise, we're going to incur greater costs, and even higher taxes."
Obama and McCain will get a chance to debate policy details later. For tonight, it is undeniable that Obama hit a strong chord with his speech here at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
