SAN DIEGO - Judy Ki, a 54-year-old middle school science teacher from Poway, rose to her feet when Illinois Sen. Barack Obama spoke about building federal education policy around meeting teachers' needs.

Hillary Clinton addresses the California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego

Barack Obama addresses the California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego

"I am so impressed with him," Ki said, following a thundering 25-minute address interrupted several times by applause and ovations. "What a breath of fresh air."

Ki, one of more than 2,000 delegates attending the Democratic Party's state convention in San Diego this weekend, said she won't decide which presidential candidate to support until later.

"But I love him," Ki said of Obama. "I love his energy. I love his passion. I am just so energized."

Moments later, delegates Robin and Marsha Lawrence got out of their seats and made a beeline for the auditorium door at the San Diego Convention Center, site of this year's annual state convention.

"That's all I need to hear," said Robin Lawrence, a 61-year-old Laguna Hills man. "Hillary's speech was great, but his speech was dynamite. There was a huge difference."

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the crowd of about 3,400 in the morning while Obama spoke in the afternoon.

Clinton impressed many as well.

"It was a rah-rah speech," said 53-year-old Richard Bova, an undecided Escondido delegate. "But it was also one that explained her story so that you could see who she is as a person."

Clinton spoke of her childhood - and about her Democratic mother who never said much about politics but canceled her Republican father's vote "every time."

Ed McFadd, a 64-year-old retired school principal from Encinitas who came in leaning toward John Edwards, said her address may cause him to reconsider.

"I was not expecting Hillary to be as dynamic and forceful as she was," McFadd said. "Hillary made what I thought was a stellar presentation on a wide variety of issues. It did change my mind a little bit."

Bonita Connoley, 75, of Murrieta, a retired high school English teacher and immediate past president of the Democratic Club of Southwest Riverside County, said she is convinced Clinton can win the White House despite being a woman - and despite the fact that many conservatives dislike her husband.

"They are two different personalities," Connoley said. "And she's not going to bring the same approach to the presidency that he did."

The front-runners hit on traditional Democratic bread-and-butter issues such as the environment, education, green energy and health care, while pounding relentlessly on the Iraq war.

Broaching the subject of the legislation Congress recently passed setting a timetable for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq, Obama took direct aim at President Bush's threatened veto.

"We are one signature away from ending this war," Obama said. "If the president refuses to sign it, we will go back and find the 16 signatures that we need, and we will do it without him."

Clinton put the war in her sights during a long set of rhetorical questions.

"Are you ready to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home?" Clinton asked.

Apparently questioning her sincerity, a man in the North County section shouted back: "Are you?"

Saturday's program also featured appearances by Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich. In all, seven of the eight major Democratic presidential hopefuls planned to make pitches during the event, which concludes today. Only Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, who was campaigning in South Carolina, wasn't expected to make it.

Party officials said seven is a record for presidential candidates speaking at a California state convention. And they said the record is a clear response to California's decision to move its presidential primary up to Feb. 5.

"It's already paying off, as you can see," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles, in an interview.

"It used to be that the road to the Democratic nomination had to go through the Northeast. But this time, the road to the Democratic nomination has to go through California," Nunez said.

California has long been a major source of cash for candidates of both parties. But, in the past, campaigns have focused on states with earlier primaries.

"Who could have guessed?" said Jeeni Criscenzo, a delegate who is president of the liberal Progressive Democrats of America of North County and a member of Kucinich's staff. "California instantly turned from being a checkbook to being a voice." Criscenzo ran unsuccessfully against Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in November.

The California Democratic Party also credited the primary move for a record attendance of 2,264 of the state's 2,801 delegates. The party also said 450 guests and 700 volunteers registered, and that 400 reporters were covering the event.

When not listening to speeches, Democrats broke up into caucuses to talk about a wide range of issues that affect minorities, labor, the environment, education and business.

Encinitas Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan, a member of the environmental caucus, said the group will ask California Democrats today to pass a resolution opposing a Highway 241 toll road extension through San Onofre State Park. The caucus also endorsed the creation of a marine sanctuary for the harbor seals that come ashore to give birth and nurse their young at La Jolla's Casa Beach.

Just outside the convention center, Obama and Kucinich supporters tried to drown each other out with chants.

"What time is it?" shouted 28-year-old Marlo Capps of San Diego, over and over. "Obama time," responded dozens of sign-toting fans.

- Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 740-5442 or ddowney@nctimescom.