Diverse Group of Idaho Delegates Ready for DNC BOISE, ID (idaho) - Idaho's delegation to the Democratic National Convention is one of the youngest and most diverse groups the state has ever had, according to Idaho delegate Norena Gutierrez.

Gutierrez said the delegation wants to show the world that Idaho is a unique and beautiful place. She is an at-large alternate from Boise and a single mother of two boys.

Gutierrez was inspired to run to be a delegate after hearing Barack Obama speak in Boise last February. She and her sister were so inspired by Obama's speech that they made 500 phone calls generating support for Obama, she said.

Young Idaho delegate Branden Lane is only 24 years old, but this year is his second time attending the Democratic National Convention. He said the convention is an exciting opportunity to see the inner workings of the Democratic Party.

"Getting the TV picture and seeing the speakers on stage... one thing that you miss is the activity going on at the convention. You have a swarm of media, campaign staffers and delegates and field organizers and volunteers, who are in the aisles, who are mixing through the seats, who are discussing strategies in their states, who are discussing get-out-the-vote efforts in places that are being targeted. You see media personalities running around trying to capture interviews with people in the halls," Lane said.

"What can look like a very clean image on TV actually has this feel of the frenetic brain of the Democratic Party. You can to see it all at work," Lane added.

Lane's fellow young delegate, Megan Nagel, is also 24 years old, and is attending her first convention. Nagel started a website about being a Democratic in a largely Republican state.

Nagel is a longtime Clinton supporter.

"I have a huge smile on my face bc the thought of [seeing Clinton] gives me goosebumps. She is one of my personal heros," Nagel said. © Copyright 2009, idaho