Parties look west for change

(AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

The placement of speakers in this week's Democratic National Convention was no accident, nor was the decision to hold the convention in the west. Political analysts say both parties see the west as fertile ground for new territory as the population and its make-up changes.

As many waited to hear form Hillary Clinton to speak in Denver this week, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer warmed up the crowd, hitting issues that are familiar around the west. "We face a great new challenge, a world energy crisis that threatens our economy, our security, our climate and our very way of life," he said.

In the west it's a way of life that's changing with rapid growth, and political parties know it. "We do know that as we do move into this presidential cycle and into the next one, there's up to five to seven electoral votes that will be added to those eight states," Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland said.

He said that's why his party is paying special attention to the west. West Virginia Governor, Joe Manchin, the leader of the Democratic Governor's Association, says his party is making gains. "Colorado is coming on very strong. New Mexico, Bill Richardson, the strength that Bill has, and as strong as he's been, so you're seeing a movement that we have not seen for an awful long time."

But in some areas, that movement may be like tar moving uphill. In Utah, Gov. Jon Huntsman has a commanding lead over Democrat Bob Springmeyer. Wyoming's Governor has a similar lead. And in the presidential race, Arizona's John McCain and, say Mitt Romney, could make for a powerful one-two punch.

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