Opinion: Democrats on parade

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Two key Democratic constituencies get the chance for some firsthand comparsion shopping of the party’s presidential contenders this week in Washington, mainly on Tuesday.

In the morning at a downtown Marriott hotel, Hillary Clinton, followed within minutes by John Edwards, followed within minutes by Barack Obama, will address a meeting of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, which boasts 1.4 million members nationwide and ultimately will bestow a much-coveted endorsement. Also speaking to the group are Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich.

Likely to be more closely watched will be appearances at a nearby Hilton hotel by Clinton, Obama and Edwards at an annual confab of liberal activists organized by the Campaign for America’s Future. Obama and Edwards give back-to-back speeches to the conference around lunchtime Tuesday; Clinton has the podium to herself Wednesday morning.

Last year, some in the crowd booed Clinton because, at the time, she was unwilling to embrace calls for deadlines for removing troops from Iraq. She’s on board with those demands now, but the reception she receives still will be carefully scrutinized.

In general, the mood among those at the liberal gathering should be both feisty and ebullient --- they clearly believe the political tide has turned their way. As Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change, put it Monday, ‘The conservative era is dead. May it rest in peace.’

Richardson, Kucinich and Mike Gravel also address the America’s Future conference on Tuesday. We’ll have reporters at both events, so check back here for on-the-scene reports.

-- Don Frederick