PORTLAND (AP) – Mainers headed to the Democratic National Convention, and some who want to go, said Saturday they have no problem with John Kerry’s idea of delaying his presidential nomination to gain more time to capitalize on his fund raising.

“If we have the opportunity to approach what (President) Bush has, I think we should go for it,” said state party Chair Dorothy Melanson, who will be a national delegate. “It’s strategic.”

Gov. John Baldacci, whose office gives him an automatic slot as delegate, agreed, saying, “I think that’s smart.”

The governor, other delegates and delegate candidates said they would not be deterred from attending the national convention July 26-29 in Boston if Kerry decides to delay his acceptance. The Republican National Convention will be Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in New York.

While an important function of formally nominating the party’s candidate would be lost that week, the convention would still serve as a forum to build party unity in an important election, they said.

“Democrats are so enthusiastic about what they want to do and what they have to do,” said Baldacci. “The Boston convention will be a time for all of us to come together as a family.”

The later Kerry becomes the nominee, the longer he’ll be able to raise and spend private funds.

Kerry and Bush are expected to use federal funding for the general election campaign. Once they accept their party’s nomination, they’ll be limited to spending what the government gives them, about $75 million.

Delaying his nomination would give Kerry more time to capitalize on his record-breaking fund raising and reduce Bush’s multimillion-dollar financial advantage.

“If we’re going to use a little procedural thing to level the playing field, it doesn’t bother me in the least,” said Bonnie Green, a candidate for national delegate from Monmouth.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen of Portland, a pre-selected delegate, agreed, adding that he believes the Bush campaign scheduled the convention for so late deliberately to gain a financial advantage.

David Garrity, who will go to the convention in his role as vice chairman of the state party, said enormous amounts of campaign money are in play, and “any way we can approach the same outreach is reasonable.”

Kerry’s presidential campaign total has set a Democratic record $117 million, while Bush has used up a presidential record of $126 million since officially starting his re-election effort last May, according to reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Bush’s total represents an overall record for fund raising and spending.

Leslie Harlow, a national delegate candidate from Sullivan, said news of Kerry’s possible delay had just hit the convention and she hadn’t thought it through completely yet.

But Harlow said she would still attend the national convention if Kerry puts off his acceptance.

AP-ES-05-22-04 1727EDT