Durbin: Feuding State Dems owe it to Obama to lay low

DENVER - In their first big gathering, Illinois Democrats bit their lips Sunday and played nice for Barack Obama.

Then again, Gov. Rod Blagojevich didn't attend the early evening party at a downtown steak joint. He was at an anti-poverty event in Chicago and is not expected to show up at the convention until late tonight or Tuesday.

"So far everything is going well. Democrats are united," said House Speaker Mike Madigan, when asked about the convention.

It is clear many Democrats are intentionally avoiding divisive rhetoric so as to not tarnish Obama during the convention, which officially starts today.

"We owe it to Barack Obama," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield. "We need to come together and show a strong, unified face at this convention."

As for the party, all the Democratic stars were in attendance, from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to Blagojevich's estranged father-in-law Dick Mell. The Chicago alderman begged off questions about the governor.

Daley, who has recently ratcheted up rhetoric against the governor, appeared to back off a bit Sunday.

"If he comes, people will like him," Daley said when asked if Blagojevich was attending the party. "There is a difference there, but it is not personal though."

Meanwhile, local Democrats are clearly looking forward to their time in the spotlight today.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Dan Hynes, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Chicago Clerk Miguel del Valle are all speaking early in the program.

Left out of the lineup is two-term Blagojevich, who has been dogged by federal investigations and bitter legislative gridlock.