AUGUSTA – From young to old, delegates to the Maine Democratic Convention said they were energized and motivated for the big elections ahead as the three-day event came to a close Sunday.

“I’m really enthusiastic coming out of it,” said Greg Howard. The delegate from Brunswick said he leaves with “a commitment to do the things that win elections, like making phone calls, knocking on doors, dragging neighbors to the polls, doing the things that lead to change.”

Party leaders said the convention drew 3,700 delegates, alternates and guests to the Augusta Civic Center. The delegates ranged in ages from several 17-year-olds to one who will turn 98 this Thursday.

Doris Makas of Lewiston said she’s been to several conventions, but this was the first one in which she was a delegate. Makas, who was a child when women won the right to vote in 1920, supports Sen. Barack Obama for president.

Asked what motivated her to participate, Makas said, “I’ve been interested in politics all my life,” although she added that she received encouragement from her daughter, state Rep. Elaine Makas of Lewiston, who also attended the convention.

The elder Makas said she remembers with special fondness John F. Kennedy, president from 1961-63. But she even remembers hearing good things about Theodore Roosevelt, whose presidency ended in 1909, the year before she was born.

First-time delegate Andre Locsin of Portland said he came to the convention with an open mind and is leaving “totally energized.”

Locsin, 32, said the heavy attendance and the fact that many of the delegates traveled long distances to attend illustrates the commitment activists have to the fall campaign. As of Sunday, the Democratic nomination fight between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton remained unresolved. Sen. John McCain is the presumptive Republican nominee.

“This country’s gone to hell in a hand basket in the last eight years. We just need to turn things around,” said Locsin. “We need to be more stubborn than the Republicans.”

During the convention, delegates had an opportunity to hear from party candidates for the U.S. House and Senate, surrogates for Obama and Clinton and from the Senate’s No. 2 leader, Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Party Executive Director Arden Manning said that the 3,700 far exceeded attendance expectations for the biennial gathering. In addition to showcasing party candidates, the convention provided an opportunity for campaigns and candidates for party offices to organize and enlist supporters.

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Maine Democratic Party: www.mainedems.org