Convention Leaves Democrats Feeling Chipper

Utah Democrats emerged from their state convention on Saturday feeling unified and ready to take on the Republicans. They feel they are in the best shape in years and that they have a real shot in the next few years of winning a statewide race. Nationally, Democrats are already dominant, in total control of the federal government, and they are quickly amassing unprecedented power at the federal level.

They have a rock star for a president in Barack Obama, and they're engaged in nothing short of the biggest overhaul in many decades of the economy, the government, and entire industries.

Locally, they have made significant inroads in Utah's biggest county, controlling Salt Lake city and county governments. They arguably have Utah's most popular member of Congress in Jim Matheson, and they even feel they have a real shot at the governorship in 2010 with the departure of Gov. Huntsman.