Of the 382 state delegates participating in today’s Idaho Democratic Party convention, a whopping 101 are running for national delegate, facing off for just 18 slots to attend the August national Democratic Party convention in Denver. “I cannot imagine that it’s ever been higher,” said state party spokesman Chuck Oxley. “It’s Obama. People want to be a part of what they perceive as a huge historical change in the way this nation is run. And it comes at a time when the nation and the world is ripe and is screaming for change.” The winners in the delegate races, who will be elected Saturday, each will have to pay their own way to Denver, which could cost $3,000 or more for airfare, hotel, meals, and “the whole nine yards,” Oxley said.

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