Long Thompson Says She Turned Down Invitations To Convention

DENVER -- Democrats from across the country are in Denver this week for the national convention, but one key candidate from Indiana is missing: gubernatorial hopeful Jill Long Thompson.

While top state candidates usually attend national conventions and are often given some TV time at the podium to help their campaigns, Long Thompson said she made the choice not to attend.

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From the Convention: Capitol WatchBlog

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"The national convention is an important part of nominating the presidential candidate. But my race is right here in Indiana," she told 6News' Norman Cox.

6News political contributor Abdul-Hakim Shabazz said he's surprised that Long Thompson doesn't have a prime spot in Denver, considering how much Democrats dislike her opponent, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.

"So, somebody like a Jill Long Thompson, you would think the Democrats would want to showcase, as sort of, that change that has been the theme of the Obama campaign. So I don't know why they wouldn't have her up on stage," he said.

Some state Republicans say they think Democrats don't want to waste valuable TV time on a candidate who they say is unlikely to win.

"I think they looked at the race here in Indiana, saw that she's down 18 points, saw that she doesn't have much of a chance to come back," said party spokesman Jay Kenworthy. "That time at the podium is valuable, so I don't think they just want to give it away to anyone who doesn't have a shot."

Long Thompson said she did have several invitations from high-ranking Democrats to go to Denver, but she wouldn't say if any of them involved TV time at the podium.

Daniels will attend the Republican convention next week.