GRAND FORKS - College football was replaced with waving red-white-and-blue signs and cheering throngs of Democrats Friday night as the Alerus Center hosted both the party's presidential candidates.

U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton fired up a 16,500-seat arena that was filled nearly to capacity. Both gave their usual stump speeches, with Obama talking about hope and a new politics in Washington and Clinton talking about fighting on and turning the country around.

Their visits to the North Dakota Democratic Convention come amidst a competitive race for the party's presidential nomination. Obama is the leader, but Clinton is staying in the race, hoping to narrow his lead and convince the party she's the stronger candidate.

The free event attracted spectators from across North Dakota, as well as some from Minnesota, Canada and other surrounding areas. About 775 Democratic Party delegates were seated on the arena floor, while the rest of the crowd was in the stands. Security was tight, with Secret Service agents roaming the building and an airport-style metal detector scan for every attendee.

After some convention business and a 4:30 p.m. private fundraiser with Obama, Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Rep. Earl Pomeroy each gave speeches introducing him. All three have endorsed him.

"It's about believing in ourselves," Dorgan said. "It's about anything is possible. And I think Barack Obama carries the torch for that idea in this great country of ours."

Obama largely stuck to his stump speech, saying he'd fix broken politics in Washington, D.C., provide healthcare, end the war in Iraq, and get rid of a "can't do, won't do, won't even try" brand of politics.

As in former speeches, Obama used the line of calling Vice President Dick Cheney "my cousin," and saying that he'd want to take credit for this movement, but can't.

Drawing a roar from the crowd, he pledged to fight to win North Dakota - a traditionally Republican state that is often ignored by Democratic presidential candidates.

"Some people think it's just a flyover state, or that caucus states don't matter," he said. "Well I'll tell you what: we landed."

Sarah Vogel, a Bismarck lawyer and former agriculture commissioner, said the speech really wowed her.

"I thought it was the best political speech I've ever heard," she said. 'I was struck by the emotion and the sincerity."

Much of the crowd stuck around for about three hours to hear Clinton address the crowd.

Former Gov. George Sinner, an early Clinton supporter, introduced the former first lady.

"Her courage, abilities and vast experience can save the country from the mess it's in," he said.

Greeted by a crowd of sign carriers making the wave with their Hillary signs, Clinton entertained attendees by saying the George W. Bush administration has made a mess of the country and pledging to fix it. She said she'd push universal healthcare, help people who bought houses with subprime loans, stand up for fair trade with nations like China and focus the war on terror on those who perpetrated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Clinton said Democrats needed a candidate who would roll up her sleeves and really fight for these issues.

"You see I believe the American people need a fighter," she said. "A fighter in the White House who doesn't give up when the going is tough."

Adding a local flavor, she praised Grand Forks' 1997 flood cleanup and said she would support a strong Farm Bill and would be "a creative and innovative developer of rural America."

For a minute of so, one woman stole the show with a homemade neon green sign that said "Bill for First Lady."

Overall, the crowd varied from young to old, from elegantly dressed to college casual. All came for a similar reason.

"It's the only time in my life where I can see the potential presidents of the United States," said Peter Fetsch, 19, of Grand Forks.

Fetsch, a freshman at the University of North Dakota, said he's an Obama fan because he thinks the candidate will bring the most change to the country.

Shirley Stammen, 72, and her husband, Ron Stammen, 69, of Fargo are Clinton supporters, but said they were excited to see both candidates.

"It's so eventful and big for North Dakota," Shirley Stammen said. "It was a 2-1 bargain."

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@bismarcktribune.com)