Delaware
Total Number of Delegates: 23 Pledged: 15 Unpledged: 8
How to Recognize a Delaware Delegate: The Quakers who ruled Pennsylvania originally wanted to annex Delaware to expand Philadelphia's southern suburbs, but the Catholics in Maryland refused to let them. While these two states bickered, the Methodists rushed in and created their own earthly paradise. Their history is flush with many national "firsts." First state to sign the Constitution, first John Deere tractor, first Christmas Seals and, in 1880, first Miss United States beauty pageant, with Thomas Edison as a judge! And while never famous for their cooking, their potluck leftovers were the inspiration for a local scientist working at the DuPont Chemical Company to perfect the first cellophane food-storage bag. Today's Delawareans certainly have come a long way, but they still dress like Methodists! In this spirit of practicality, look for Delaware delegates to be dressed in outfits purchased from brand-name retailers in factory-outlet malls. Females prefer non-binding slacks and dressy sweatshirts trimmed in reasonable decorative cheeriness, while males prefer shirts and slacks that can be purchased in multiples for under twenty dollars. Don't look for delegates wearing last year's fashions in last year's colors; instead, look for them to be wearing clothes that were never considered fashionable in the first place, in colors ranging from dark blue to charcoal.
Famous Delawareans: Juvie-lit master Howard Pyle; maneuver-inventor Henry Heimlich; Pierre S. du Pont I, II, III & IV; bad-ass actor Ryan Phillippe; bad actor Judge Reinhold; bad actress Valerie Bertinelli; actors Elisabeth and Andrew Shue; bluesman George Thorogood; and baseballer John Mabry.
Famous Delaware Democrats: 2008 presidential candidate Joe Biden; Delaware Attorney General and JAG captain Beau Biden.
Famous Delawareans With Denver Connections: Pioneer Denver & Rio Grande Railroad builder William Jackson Palmer; the Molson Coors Brewing Company is a registered Delaware Corporation.
State Nickname: The First State (official), Small Wonder (unofficial) Population: 853,476 Racial Distribution: 69% white, 21% black, 3% Asian, 1% Native American, 6% Hispanic Per Capita Personal Income: $33,125 Unemployment: 4%
Recommendations for the Delaware Delegation:
Most Delawarean Denver Neighborhood: Lowry Field
Most Delawarean Bar: Pints Pub 221 West 13th Avenue The State of Delaware grew from a boat landing that was called New Amstel in 1655. By 1674, the name had changed to New Castle. What better way to celebrate than by toasting to all things Delaware at a Denver bar that serves both Amstel Light and New Castle beers -- and just a block away from Delaware Street!
Most Delawarean restaurant: Del Mar Crab House 1453 Larimer Street Del Mar Crab House may be the best place for Delawareans to satisfy their crabcake sandwich cravings this side of Hadfield's Seafood in New Castle.
View larger image. Best Day Trip: Grand Lake No resident of Delaware is more than thirty miles from the shore, but none of them has ever seen a hill. The highest natural point in Delaware, Ebright Azimuth, has an elevation of 447.85 feet above sea level. The bronze geodetic marker is actually two feet lower than the man-made plateau constructed to prevent flooding at the neighboring trailer park. Clearly, it is important for every Delaware delegate attending the 2008 Denver Democratic Convention to make a trip up into the Colorado Rockies. An excursion up to Grand Lake will allow delegates to be close to the water they love. The spectacular Cascade Falls and Shadow Mountain hiking trails that lead into Rocky Mountain National Park can be accessed from the shores of Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake. Private lodges ring the lake with expansive porches teeming with easy chairs. These are the perfect places for Delawareans to read the mystery novels they’re so fond of. After an exhilarating day in the thin air at water's edge, a visit to the ice cream parlors and taffy shops in Grand Lake Village will seem like a déjà vu visit to Rehoboth Beach.
