Boise Mayor Dave Bieter offered a welcome to the state Democratic Party convention, as the delegates gathered today to begin the formal part of their business, the consideration of rules, resolutions and platform issues. It wraps up with votes tomorrow, on both the platform and on delegates to the national convention and national committee positions. Bieter told the crowded hall, “As mayor of Boise, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to Garden City,” drawing a big laugh. “We’re actually across the river from Boise,” he noted. Bieter led the crowd in a Democratic cheer in Basque, and declared, “The Republicans are going to hear this in Sandpoint, I think.”

State party Chairman Keith Roark evoked the memory of Robert F. Kennedy, killed 40 years ago. “The dream is alive,” he told the crowd, and said he’d “exercise the chairman’s prerogative” and dedicate this year’s convention to Kennedy. That drew a sustained standing ovation.

Both Bieter and Roark praised the turnout and enthusiasm of this year’s convention-goers, with Roark saying, “My often-broken Democratic heart absolutely swells.”

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