AZ DNC delegates see Napolitano speech as sign of her growing prominence

DENVER -- There was little doubt Arizona's delegates to the Democratic National Convention would profess enthusiasm for Gov. Janet Napolitano's prime time speech before in front of the convention, and, as expected, the accolades poured in from Arizonans on the convention floor.

"Governor Napolitano is a clear, engaging speaker," said delegate Kate Widland, who became the fiancee of fellow delegate Ruben Gallego when he proposed to her on the floor of the convention. "It's obvious why she was given a prime time speaking slot."

Napolitano was an early endorser of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who is scheduled to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday. Despite being mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick, the governor maintains that she has not spoken with Obama about what opportunities might exist for her in an Obama administration.

Even so, rumors persist that she is shortlisted as an attorney general pick should Obama win the White House.

Certainly delegation co-chair Jim Pederson sees the speech as a sign of bigger things to come.

"I think everybody recognizes Janet Napolitano is really on the ascendency on the national scene," Pederson said.