Napolitano talks tough

Gov. Janet Napolitano used her time in the spotlight at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday to invoke the struggling Americans she met while helping to craft the Democratic platform and three Arizonans who lost their bids for the presidency.

Before touting Sen. Barack Obama's economic plan, including tax rebates for the middle class and creating five million "green-collar" jobs, Napolitano recalled Arizona also-rans Barry Goldwater, Mo Udall and Bruce Babbitt.

"Speaking for myself, and for at least this coming election, this is one Arizona tradition I'd like to see continue," she said.

Napolitano told conventioneers that she was searching for something positive to say about fellow Arizonan and Obama rival Sen. John McCain. Once McCain said he didn't understand the economy as well as he should, the governor knew she could proclaim that McCain was right.

"And he doesn't understand how the policies he has supported and wants to perpetuate have so terribly misfired," she said. "We cannot afford four more years of failing economics and a falling economy."

The governor's speech, sandwiched between remarks from eight women U.S. senators and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, capped a day of celebration for women and tough talk about the economy.

It also came as new U.S. Census figures showed more Americans were on government health insurance and living in poverty.

And it was apropos of the attention Arizona and the mountain West have been getting in recent weeks as a region of emerging political clout that could tilt the election, as well as the Democratic governor's broadening national credentials.

"It does shine a light on Arizona. And she has a good reputation," said longtime Arizona pollster and Arizona State University professor Bruce Merrill. "In every poll we do she gets the highest ratings. Higher than John McCain."

Merrill also said the new focus on Western states is well placed, given changing demographics, new Hispanic voters and economic conditions.

"The area has really moved significantly toward the Democrats in the last election," he said. "Collectively, it's almost as important as Ohio or Michigan."

In her speech, Napolitano mentioned people she met during forums around the country as chair of the committee that drafted the Democratic platform. Among them was Alfred Smith Jr. of Phoenix, a married father of three who's worried about making his mortgage payment.

"Our working families can't afford more of the same," Napolitano said. "I am positive that John McCain, as he said in his own words, doesn't understand as well as he should how to help Marcie, David and Alfred."

"We must work together - all of us here on this convention floor, all of us watching on television or on the Web - to bring the change we need and to fix the failed ways of Washington," Napolitano said. "And we'll do that by electing Barack Obama the next President of the United States."

Napolitano has been rallying the Arizona delegation at breakfast meetings each morning, and on Tuesday spoke to three other delegations before participating in an economic roundtable headed by Michelle Obama and Sen. Joe Biden and attending an EMILY's List reception with Sen. Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Arizona delegates said they were proud to have their governor on the podium, especially since she was hitting issues so key to the future of Arizona and the nation.

"It's good to have our governor as the go-to person," said Phoenix delegate Kate Widland. "We're so excited to have such a nationally prominent governor."

Widland earned some attention herself at the convention. Shortly after Sen. Edward Kennedy spoke Monday evening, fellow Phoenix delegate Ruben Gallegos proposed to her.

As the floor whip for the delegation, it was his job to choreograph the sign waving. He ordered the Kennedy signs down, and the "special signs" up: "Will you marry me?" and "Marry me Kate" and, you get the picture.

"He got down on one knee in the middle of the convention floor and proposed," Widland said. "It was so wonderful."

Tears were already falling among the Arizona delegation after Kennedy's speech. And they just kept coming.

Mary Reinhart may be reached at 480-898-6867 or mreinhart@evtrib.com.