Democratic National Convention

Check back next week to view my Convention Sketchpads from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

It's a funny thing about Maryland. There is so much footage and video of Gov. Martin O'Malley dancing around on stage with his band that we often forget how other states react when they see their governors getting down with the sound.

Baltimore native Nathaniel Fick appears to be in the audience at tonight's Democratic National Committee Convention session at Invesco Field in Denver.

Fick is the former Marine who authored the 2005 book, "One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Corps Officer." The recent HBO mini-series "Generation Kill" was based on his platoon's experiences during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He was once a registered Republican, and last year wrote about how a Democrat could get his vote. Apparently, Barack Obama got it.

Barack Obama, right with adviser David Axelrod, tours Invesco Field before his speech there Wednesday night: Getty Images PhotoDENVER - U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) says that if Barack Obama is to successfully deliver his acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination, he needs to demonstrate that he can take America forward.

“I think Barack Obama has to show the American public where he wants to take this country,” the 5th District Democrat told PolitickerMD.com. “The policies he wants to promote in order to make the lives of average working people in this country better.”

He continued “At the same time I think it’s going to be very inspirational and appeal to the best of America and say that -- as he says all the time -- ‘I want to have this country be not what it is but what we think it ought to be.'”

The Maryland sign at the DNC Convention: Campaign Photo

DENVER – Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Baltimore) says that with the roll call in the rearview mirror, Democrats can now move forward.

“I think having the roll calls behind us -- I think everyone’s feeling much more pumped up,” O’Malley told PolitickerMD.com. “I think everybody’s looking forward instead of looking back.”

O’Malley said the Maryland delegation had their eyes on the prize. “We have a real good shared sense of purpose to continue to roll with when we get home.”

Del. Sue Hecht (D-Frederick County)DENVER - State Del. C. Sue Hecht (D-Frederick County) says 6th District congressional candidate Jennifer Dougherty (D-Frederick) can win in November, but it’s going to be an uphill battle.

“I’ve known Jennifer for many years and she’s a fighter and she’s very smart. People are wanting a change and I think this is a time where all the stars can aline,” Hecht told PolitickerMD.com during a reception for U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville).

Hecht said she recognized the challenges Dougherty faces.

“It’s the most conservative most difficult district for a Democrat to run in in Maryland,” she said. “It’s absolutely an uphill battle for any Democrat. It’s not just Jennifer.”

DENVER - State Del. Justin Ross (D-Prince George’s County) couldn’t let himself get away with attending the Democratic National Convention and not throw a party for the man he calls the “favorite son of Maryland.”

Ross celebrated U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (D-Mechanicsville) first national convention as House Majority Leader by hosting a reception for him at Wazee Supper Club in downtown Denver.

“This is the first convention since he’s become the Majority leader. I worked for Congressman Hoyer when I was in High School,” Ross told PolitickerMD.com. “I thought it was only appropriate that we recognize the Majority Leader here to the convention.”

Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in 2006: Campaign PhotoDENVER – Before Wednesday’s roll call vote at the Democratic National Convetion, Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Baltimore) received a phone call from the man he wants to be the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

“He called about 20 minutes before the roll call,” O’Malley told PolitickerMD.com.

“He called and basically wanted to make sure that I was as involved as I could possibly be and told me that he wanted me to be more involved and wanted me to help on the policy level and to co-chair the campaign at home so I told him I’ll do anything,” said O’Malley, who supported Hillary Clinton during the primaries. “And he also asked me if I would travel for him this fall and I told him I’ll go anywhere do anything that you ask.”

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings and Attorney General Doug Gansler are currently the co-chairs of the Maryland for Obama campaign. O’Malley admitted he wasn’t sure how a third co-chair would work, but didn’t ask any questions.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D): Getty Images PhotoDENVER – When it comes to the outlook for his party in House races this fall, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) is betting outright that Democrats expand their majority big time.

“…I think we are going to pick up a substantial number of seats,” Hoyer said in a short interview outside the Marriott hotel.

“All over the country we have candidates who have outraised either incumbents or Republican challengers (and) who are doing very well in the polls,” the 14-term congressman added. “Very very few of our candidates are under severe challenge. So I think we’re going to pick up a good number of seats, expand our majority in the United States House of Representatives and expand our majority in the United States Senate.”

Hoyer singled out Betsy Markey, the former aide to U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver) who is challenging U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Fort Collins), as a particularly strong Democratic challenger.