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DENVER - Barack Obama is paying attention to Alaska's boondocks, which for Cindy Spanyers means she finally won't be representing a political wasteland as Democrats finalize their presidential nominee, strategies for congressional elections and stance on national issues this week.

"I think Alaska's in play," said Spanyers, an Alaska Public Employees Association official from Juneau attending her fourth Democratic National Convention. "We're not in a backwater. We're making a difference. We're in a position to change things."

Alaska is categorized as "favored Republican" in the presidential race by Congressional Quarterly, although polls show Obama trailing Republican nominee John McCain by 7 to 10 percent compared to the 26 percent President George W. Bush won by in 2004. U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and U.S. Rep. Don Young, both Republicans, are in danger of losing their seats for the first time in a generation because of scandals and other setbacks. Both issues are part of the Democrats' target list of races that receive intense attention and funding.

Also, Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, a Republican who endorsed Obama, is one of Tuesday's featured speakers.

Spanyers is one of two Juneau residents serving as delegates at the convention in Denver from Monday through Thursday. She's officially an unpledged superdelegate, making her much in demand during the contentious primary season. She previously received a 15-minute phone call from former President Bill Clinton on behalf of his wife, Hillary, among the favor-seeking moments. But Spanyers and the rest of Alaska's 18 delegates said they will vote for Obama, who secured the party's nomination in June, although Hillary Clinton won 22.5 percent of the vote and four delegates during the state's February primary.

The other Juneau resident casting a vote is Gary Waid, a Tlingit storyteller who said his expectation as a first-time attendee is marathon-length days of being whisked to non-stop meetings and speeches. State delegates begin meeting at 7 a.m. breakfasts, continuing in various caucuses and subgroups at hotels and other locations around town until early afternoon.

"Then we report at 3:30 to the Pepsi Center so we can start our day," he said. "That runs from 4 p.m. until 9 or 10 at night, so it's a pretty full day."

What's going to be the result of all that work besides a party platform and a bunch of policy statements, which candidates don't always strictly adhere to?

"You know, I'm clueless," he said. "I'll have to wait until I get there."

Spanyers and Waid each have issues they will focus on, in addition to trying to build awareness and support for Alaska's congressional candidates, who will be selected in the state's primary election Tuesday.

Spanyers said she will focus largely on labor education and planning strategies for the proposed Employee Free Choice Act, which expands workers' opportunities to join unions. On Alaska-specific matters, she said energy resources and global warming are likely to be more prominent than in the past.

"The needs and wants for energy use - how do you balance those?" she said. Despite high-profile efforts by people such as former Vice President Al Gore, "I don't think global warming's been a catchphrase in previous conventions."

Spanyers said she doesn't expect to see the party alter its opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, despite skyrocketing fuel prices.

Waid's emphasis will be veterans' issues, following efforts by Juneau Veterans For Peace to have him named as a delegate. He said he was an independent voter until about 10 years ago, and hasn't been nearly as active in politics before this year "because now we have a presidential candidate more in line with the policies of Veterans For Peace."

"Our basic idea, more than anything else, is to meet with other veterans and see what they're feeling," he said.

He will also participate in the Native caucus and, with a son who's an actor and a daughter who's a teacher, will be paying attention to the party's education and cultural efforts.

Spanyers said she doesn't expect to speak with Obama during the convention, but there will be no shortage of other notables to meet. The Alaska delegation is in the same hotel as Minnesota's, for instance, so there's always the prospect of trading quips with comedian and senatorial candidate Al Franken.

How much of the real Denver they'll see is unknown. The city may not have painted the grass and exiled its poor like Beijing during the Olympics, but it is trying to give its 4,000 homeless residents haircuts and send them to the movies or bingo. Protesters will be kept in fenced areas away from the direct walk lines of delegates, and Waid isn't sure he'll get a chance to talk to them.

"I think I'm going to be so wrapped up in being a delegate I won't have time," he said. But he said they won't go unheard, since "the news will let me know what they're protesting."

Spanyers said she may try to make time to listen to those expressing their views responsibly.

"I've been in contact with them over the years and made it a point of walking over," she said. "Most people have valid viewpoints."

About 50,000 people are expected to be at the convention - not including the 75,000 expected to attend Obama's nomination speech at Invesco Field at Mile High stadium Thursday, making the 4,440 delegates a minority at the event they have the primary official duties for.

Whether the mass of humanity is a blessing or curse depends on who's being asked.

"The camaraderie," Spanyers said, when asked the best part of the convention. But when asked about the worst, her son Timothy, 11, piped up.

"The crowds," he said. "They're horrible. You can get lost."