State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A Smith, Democrats Poised To Take Back White House

(DENVER, CO)— A united party is the message Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D – St. Albans) plans to bring home from the Democratic National Convention in Denver that kicked-off today.

Senator Smith, a Pledged Leader, is among 361 delegates representing New York, the nation's second largest delegation. The delegates arrived in the Mile-High City over the past weekend to stand united behind presumptive presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware.

"The Democrats are unified. We want to show the country that once we leave Denver, we're going to come back with enthusiasm and focus on retaking the White House and regaining the jobs, homes and economic prosperity that was lost under eight years of Republican rule. In Senator Barack Obama, Democrats have a nominee who can unite the party and rebuild the economy in New York and across the nation,” said Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith.

Leading up to the mid-week vote on the Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Smith will meet with various organizations and elected officials to ensure that the needs of New York state are a part of the national platform. Key issue areas include the economy, alternative energy and health care, among others.

New York State Democrats, mirroring the key concerns that Democrats nationally want to see in the platform, seek to alleviate the burden on the middle class and make sure they have every option to achieve the American Dream. The recent naming of Senator Biden as Senator Obama's running mate is key to that platform.

“To protect jobs, create new ones and bring our economy back to working for New Yorkers, we need a change; and that change is Senator Barack Obama. My fellow state senators and I look forward to working with him to ensure that there will be a Democrat in the White House and a change in our economy,” said Senator Smith.

Other New York Democratic Senators attending the National Convention include: Eric Adams (Brooklyn), Martin Malave Dilan (Brooklyn), Tom Duane (Manhattan), Ruth Hassell-Thompson Bronx/Mount Vernon), Craig Johnson (Port Washington), Liz Krueger (Manhattan), Kevin Parker (Brooklyn), Bill Perkins (Harlem), John Sampson (Brooklyn), Diane Savino (Staten Island/Brooklyn), Jose Serrano (Manhattan/Bronx), Toby Ann Stavisky (Queens), Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Yonkers), Antoine Thompson (Buffalo/Niagara Falls) and David Valesky (Oneida).