Dems praise Obama's stance on security

DENVER, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- National security -- whether military or energy -- was the theme for Wednesday's session of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Speaker after speaker drew distinctions between Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and his presumptive Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, whom each speaker said would continue the policies of President George Bush.

"We need leaders who recognize both our national interests and our shared challenges," said former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle.

"No president can be expected to solve every problem, but Senator Obama has already shown he has the toughness and good judgment to confront our enemies without alienating our friends," said former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Obama, who earlier was declared the party's nominee by acclamation, "is exactly the strong, steady hand America needs," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia.