WINTHROP -- Two Winthrop residents -- one with experience in politics and another a novice -- left Saturday for Denver as part of Maine's delegation to the Democratic National Convention.

Rita Moran, chairwoman of the Kennebec County Democratic Committee, and Craig Hickman, who said he's had a "love-hate relationship with the Democratic Party," are two of 32 delegates from Maine.

Both say they are excited and a little apprehensive about attending their first national political convention, which starts Monday.

"I feel as though, if I only get to go to one convention in my lifetime, this is the one to go to," said Moran, owner of Apple Valley Books in downtown Winthrop.

Hickman, a writer and owner of Annabessacook Farm Bed and Breakfast in Winthrop, said U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy got him involved in politics this year.

"When I found out he was a community organizer, I was hooked," Hickman said. "And he's a writer."

Hickman and Moran are Obama delegates. Maine is sending 15 delegates for Obama and nine for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. That total does not include superdelegates, which include Gov. John Baldacci, the state party chairman and the state's two Democratic congressmen.

The Maine delegation will join more than 4,000 delegates in Denver. On Thursday night, delegates will be joined by thousands of others who got tickets to see Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field, which can accommodate more than 75,000.

Hickman said he's concerned Clinton supporters may bring hard feelings to the convention.

"I don't expect things to go smoothly," he said. "I hope there's not as much drama as I imagine there's going to be."

Moran, who is going as a representative of the AFL-CIO, said she hopes a planned roll-call vote of delegates will give Clinton supporters what they need.

"I think Clinton delegates will feel closure with that," she said.

Along with trying to decide which events to attend, Hickman and Moran are talking with others in the delegation about basics such as water and sunscreen, Moran said.

For Hickman, the trip is a great opportunity.

"I haven't really slept in a while because I'm so anxious about this trip," he said.

Looking beyond the convention, Moran is confident Maine will support Obama in November.

"I'm as sure as I can be that Maine will be blue," she said.

Susan Cover -- 621-5642

scover@centralmaine.com