WASHINGTON — Union University student Cody Goodman is a Hillary Clinton delegate at the Democratic National Convention, but he said he has no problem supporting Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as his party’s nominee.

“When we come out of this convention, we’re going to be more unified than ever,” said the 19-year-old Mr. Goodman, of Englewood, Tenn. “We’re going to do everything we can to make him our next president.”

The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday in Denver, and Tennessee’s 115-member delegation and Georgia’s 132-member delegation began the four-day event with several caucus meetings.

Georgia’s delegation heard from Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., among its activities during the day before the convention’s prime-time speaker line-up featuring Michelle Obama, Sen. Obama’s wife, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Rep. Shuler, a freshman congressman and former University of Tennessee quarterback, discussed the politics of being a moderate Democrat from the South, said Chad Brock, a Georgia delegate from Dalton, Ga.

“He has a great appeal about him for a lot of Southern Democrats,” Mr. Brock said. “He broke the ice with some talk about SEC football. There aren’t many times when the Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs come together to hear a Tennessee Volunteer.”

Tennessee delegates met in the morning with Fabian Bedne, chairman of Middle Tennessee Hispanic Democrats, and discussed strategies on how to recruit Hispanics into politics, before attending a luncheon hosted by Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.

Rep. Davis is one of a handful of potential 2010 Tennessee gubernatorial candidates who are hosting events for the Tennessee delegation at the convention, but Mr. Goodman said the congressman did not mention that race in his speech.

“He talked about his support for the Democratic ticket, and he also talked about his accomplishments in his congressional district,” Mr. Goodman said.

Rep. Davis could not be reached for comment, but Kim McMillan, a former state House majority leader who has already formed an exploratory committee for her potential gubernatorial run, said the reception she is hosting Wednesday is a chance to thank the delegates, as well as spread the word about her candidacy.

“I want the opportunity to see them, let them know I appreciate their hard work, and tell them I’m out there thinking about this gubernatorial race and would appreciate their support,” she said.

Republicans are also making a show of force in Denver. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will be among several Republicans, including former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who are hosting a news conference today to criticize Sen. Obama’s economic policies.

Today’s schedule for the Tennessee delegation includes more caucus meetings and a reception hosted by United Health Group.

Georgia delegates will begin with a breakfast speaker, former Gov. Roy Barnes, before heading off to their various caucus meetings.

Mr. Brock, who like many delegates is attending his first convention, said the experience has been inspiring so far.

“It’s been great meeting Democrats from across the country and finding out what brings us together and seeing what makes us unique,” he said. “There is a common belief that unites us.”

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