7 of 8

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Working Californians blogs]

San Diego is the place to be, if only my plane would show up at the gate. I am not the only CDP Convention attendee waiting for this plane. People are converging from all over the state to primarily hear from the 7 out of the 8 Democratic presidential contenders. Biden is the only one not speaking. Mike Gravel kicks things off tonight. The Chron has a nice preview piece up today.

A parade of Democratic presidential candidates -- aiming to stake a claim in a key early primary state -- is scheduled to arrive in California this weekend to fight for supporters, donors and potential delegates in what already is an intense, competitive 2008 presidential race.

Seven of the eight announced Democratic presidential candidates will address the California State Democratic Convention, where an audience of about 2,100 party members, 300 guests and more than 400 reporters will convene beginning today at the San Diego Convention Center.

The gathering in what party leaders call "the biggest, boldest, most bombastic blue state" is a high-profile stage for the Democratic hopefuls coming off their first debate of the primary season on Thursday.

The reception given the candidates, appearing before the Democratic true believers in the nation's most populous state, will be scrutinized for their ability to fire up the grass roots and reach out to the thousands of potential backers. And they'll be judged by political pundits on their reception from the crowd and the strength of their organization's effectiveness at the convention.

And with that I will board, laptop, tripod and video camera in tow. A press pass awaits on the other side.