Jim Demers

CONCORD -- A New Hampshire advisor to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign says Democrats will unify behind a single candidate.

Jim Demers, who was criticized during the New Hampshire primary by U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, said that Granite State Democrats will come together to defeat Sen. John McCain.

MANCHESTER -- As the presidential primary battle continues between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton nationwide, local Democrats stressed unity during their annual state convention Saturday.

They talked as if talking about unity would actually heal the wounds playing out at the grassroots. Call it the audacity of hope.

At one point former party chair Kathy Sullivan, a Cinton supporter, addressed the 800 pound donkey in the room by making all delegates stand, raise their right hands and pledge they'll support the Democratic presidential nominee, whoever that might be. Jim Demers, an Obama state co-chair, repeated the same call for unity.

Barack Obama's campaign is not planning to compete for either of New Hampshire's open at-large seats, Barack Obama's senior state advisor says.

"The Obama campaign has no intention of putting up candidates for either of the Democratic National Committee positions," Demers said in an e-mail. "This is a time for New Hampshire Democrats to begin unifying for the November election and the contest for the National Committee positions is for the members of the New Hampshire Democratic State Committee to decide without any outside involvement."