US Senate

DENVER – At-Large delegate Mary Jo Neville says she sees a stark contrast between the 2008 Democratic National Convention and prior conventions, but it doesn’t seem to have much to do with the so-called historic nature of this cycle.

“It’s very different from conventions of the past,” Neville told PolitickerMD.com.

Neville – who is attending her seventh convention – pointed to the arduous nature of getting around.

DENVER – Following her “Checklist for Change” speech from the podium at the Democratic National Convention, Maryland delegates praised U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Baltimore) for her dedication and service.

The senior senator, often referred to as the dean of female senators, introduced the seven other Democratic women in the Senate.

Former Attorney General Joe Curran called Mikulski’s speech “dynamite.”

“She tells it like it is,” he said.

“She’s always right on the money,” said Marietta English, president of the Baltimore Teachers Union.

Adam Scholl, a page to the Maryland delegation said, “I think it was a great speech,” but added “she should elaborate.”

“She’s the official energizer bunny,” said Dianna Guthrie after the cheers had died down. Harford County Councilman Dion Guthrie, her husband, called Mikulski “a little package of dynamite.”

Below is a transcript of remarks made by U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Baltimore) at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening, as prepared for delivery.

DENVER – Democratic National Committewoman Maria Cordone stands firmly behind presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama even though she endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in February 2007.

Cardone argues that “experience is not what its all about.”

“Look what experience has gotten for us the past eight years,” she told PolitickerMD.com.

Cardone was convinced that Barack Obama “will make an excellent president.”

DENVER - U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore) doesn't think speakers at the Democratic convention need to be taking any shots at presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain. 

"It's more about setting the record straight," Cardin told PolitickerMD.com.

Cardin seemed thrilled about the first night of the Democratic National Convention. He called seeing Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) speak "just incredible" and said it "brought tears to my eyes."

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D): Campaign PhotoDENVER - Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) cheers U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) during his surprise speech during the first night of the Democratic National Committee Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

If Capitol Hill was like high school (isn't it, though?), Steny Hoyer would be class president while Barbara Mikulski would be with the bully who takes your lunch money.

DENVER – U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) made a brief stop at a reception held by U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings Sunday evening at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, home to the Maryland delegation, as well as Kerry's Bay State delegation.

Kerry called the Maryland delegation his “second favorite delegation.”

“The good news is there are only 149 more days until George Bush leaves office,” he told the crowd.

Kerry poked fun at U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville), noting that he does a great job corralling “those misfits over in the House.”