OBAMA'S CHANCES TO CARRY THE STATE

North Carolina delegates are bullish on Barack Obama's chances to carry their state, even though no Democratic presidential candidate has won it since 1976.

More than half called Obama's chances "very good." Most of the rest said his chances are "good."

"Obama has really caught the imagination of millions of people, including thousands of people in our state," says Raleigh lawyer Ed Turlington.

HIS TOP ISSUE AGAINST JOHN McCAIN

For most delegates, that's easy.

"The economy, and [John] McCain's lack of knowledge thereof," says Bruce Lightner of Raleigh.

Delegates also cited change -- particularly in America's foreign policy, but also ending the war in Iraq and solving the energy and health care problems.

WHETHER CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL BACK OBAMA

Zack Wynne, a delegate from Boone, admits to being "a little nervous" about what fellow Clinton supporters might do.

By more than 2 to 1, however, most delegates aren't worried about Clinton backers bolting the party.

"I am confident that most Americans understand the importance of this year's election," says Donald Hughes, 20, from Greensboro. "We are a united party."

OBAMA'S BIGGEST VULNERABILITY

Experience was cited by many delegates.

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller of Raleigh was among those who say that because Obama is still relatively unknown to many voters, he may be more subject to personal attacks.

"He is relatively new to national politics," Miller says, "And many voters are trying to figure him out still, making him more vulnerable to personal attack."

BASED ON SURVEY RESPONSES RETURNED BY ABOUT HALF THE CAROLINAS' NEARLY 200 DELEGATES

Here's a look at some of the North Carolina delegates -- and others -- who will be in Denver this week.

LENNY JULIUS, Emerald Isle

In 1967, Julius was a medical corpsman aboard the USS Oriskany when a fire forced evacuation of another carrier, the USS Forrestal. One evacuee was a young naval pilot named John McCain.

A few weeks later McCain was shot down over North Vietnam while flying off the Oriskany. Julius went on to a career as a naval officer. Now 67, he lives in Eastern North Carolina.

Opposition to the Iraq war is one reason he contributed to Barack Obama. This month, he found out his contribution won him a prize: a backstage pass to Obama's acceptance speech in Denver.

"I have nothing bad to say about McCain," Julius says. "I see him as a genuine American hero. But I wasn't taken in by some of the reasons we went to war."

JARED HAGEMANN, Camden

Hagemann is one of North Carolina's two 18-year-old delegates.

The son of a Navy commander, he lives with his parents and goes to community college in Elizabeth City. The thought of being one of the convention's youngest delegates doesn't intimidate him.

"I'm really excited," he says. "If I did everything the same as everybody else, I wouldn't be who I am."

TRICIA COTHAM, Charlotte

Politics runs in the family for Cotham.

Her father was chairman of the Mecklenburg Democratic Party, and her great-grandmother was one of the few female delegates to the 1948 convention that nominated Harry Truman.

At 29, Cotham is the youngest member of the state legislature and is running for her second term in the state House. She was invited to be on a Democratic Youth Council panel this week. The topic: "Running as a Young Candidate."

"We're really focusing on young people being involved in the electoral process," she says. "I think young people are finally realizing they have a voice in politics, and they must use their voice."

BETSY MUSE, Monroe

Embedded with the delegation will be a mother of two from Monroe. Her job: blogging.

Muse, 46, the daughter of Charlotte City Council member Patsy Kinsey, blogs for "BlueNC," a site given to liberal causes. She has blogged for four years.

She's one of 500 bloggers credentialed to the convention and the only one from North Carolina allowed to sit with delegates on the convention floor. She'll write about anything she thinks will interest her readers.

Says Muse: "I will give readers and viewers a way to experience the convention from the view of delegates."