LOCAL DELEGATE ELATED OVER CONVENTION; STILL LOBBYING FOR RIDE ON AIR FORCE ONE

Democratic National Convention speakers can count on being greeted by lots of signs.

Delegates on the convention floor are instructed to hold up signs that visibly back the speakers and their speeches, and show up well on television.

When former Republicans James and Sarah Brady came to the podium Monday night to push gun control, delegates held up signs supporting the gun-control Brady bill.

"When union workers came out, we had signs that said `10 million more jobs,'" said delegate Vicki Abernathy of Jackson.

"Those signs are passed out to us," she said.

Abernathy was elated over the first night of the convention Monday. "Everyone around me had goose bumps," she said.

"They say it just keeps building and building and building. Last night I thought it was the ultimate already," she said.

She said Democrats are pushing a pro-family theme.

"They say Democrats are for family, and we want to take it to the kitchen table," Abernathy said.

Republicans don't have a "Contract with America," Democrats do, U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt told the Missouri delegation at a breakfast Tuesday.

Abernathy said the Missouri delegation has a great view of the convention.

She shook hands with Vice President Gore Monday night as he made his way through the convention hall.

Abernathy said she lobbied again to hitch a ride home on Air Force One, which will bring Clinton and Gore to Cape Girardeau Friday.

"He shook my hand and smiled and said, `Oh, yes, we are going there.'"