KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; Nebraska News, Sports; kptm.com | Dem and GOP County Conventions Decide Delegates

Dem and GOP County Conventions Decide Delegates

OMAHA (KPTM) - Douglas County Democrats got an early wake-up call Saturday morning. The Douglas County Democratic convention was held bright and early at Benson High School.

The convention helps choose the county's delegates to the Nebraska State Democratic convention. A mandatory fifteen percent of the voting from February's caucuses is required for a presidential contender to be given state democratic convention delegates. In this case, that person would be Senator Barack Obama.

"If you're looking for new change and leadership, I think clearly you have to look at the ticket we have," said Jim Esch, Democratic candidate for congress. Esch has been in favor of Obama from the beginning and says, now that Hillary Clinton is out of the race, he hopes more Democrats will support Obama.

Douglas County Republicans also held their convention Saturday morning. Dozens of Republican delegates including Hal Daub, Mike Johanns and Lee Terry were at the College of Saint Mary's to persuade other delegates to make what they see as the right choice for the country. 

"These county conventions are the heart of it. These are the people out working for the Republicans, working for the right change for our country," said Congressman Lee Terry.

Many Republican leaders say the right man to bring change to the country is the man at the top of the Republican ticket, Senator John McCain.