Ulman calls election a 'referendum on Barack Obama'

DENVER – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman (D-Columbia) believes that Democratic Party unity is inevitable in 2008, though time is of the essence.

Howard Co. Exec. Ken Ulman (D-Columbia)“Sometimes it takes a little time to come together,” Ulman told PolitickerMD.com at the Renaissance Denver Hotel. He thinks that rifts within the party are largely healed.

“People are together," he said. "They’re focused.”

“Sometimes it’s funny,” he continued. “You get back to your hotel room after a night of being at the convention and you’re thinking you’re at a different convention than some of the pundits.”

Ulman argued it wasn’t necessary to use scare tactics to win the election.

“I think it’s unfortunate that so many in the national media think that you can only win elections by appealing to fear,” said Ulman. “I think that’s clearly what the McCain campaign is doing and there’s a vigorous debate about whether or not you stoop to their level or you stay above it and stay focused.”

Ulman, an add-on delegate, has attended two prior conventions as a staffer. “It’s a much better experience as a delegate,” he said.

Ulman said this election has clearly become a “referendum on Barack Obama.”

“One of the key missions that they had to do was to help define who the Obamas are and who the Bidens are,” he added.