CONCORD – Calls to end the Iraqi War and address global warming resonated loudest yesterday with delegates and guests at the state Democratic Party's 2007 Midterm Convention.

Each of the five Democratic presidential candidates appearing before the convention -- U.S. senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd, former Sen. Mike Gravel, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson -- called for bringing American troops home from Iraq, some as early as the end of this year. Assembled at the Rundlett Middle School, they blasted President Bush and his administration for misleading the country and losing the world's support, and called for diplomacy to end the Iraqi conflict.

"My fellow Democrats, this war must end. This war must end," implored Biden.

"Instead of talking about a surge in military power, how about a surge in diplomacy?" asked Dodd.

Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador, said he would end the Iraq War his first day in office.

"How do we do that? With diplomacy," he said.

Touting his plan to end the war, Biden, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, "There is a way to end this war so my son doesn't have to go and so my grandson will not have to go back 15 years from now."

Biden also touted his presidential candidacy, saying the American people are looking for someone who will re-assert the country's greatness.

Gravel said the quickest way to end the war is to make it illegal. "Make the continuation of the war a felony, and if you disobey, you go to jail for five years," he said.

The only candidate to speak negatively of his fellow Democrats, Gravel criticized those senators seeking the party's nomination who voted to authorize the war, saying they are not qualified to be President.

Kucinich, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2004 with a platform based on a plan to bring the troops home, said yesterday, "Peace is inevitable if we have a President who is willing."

The former Cleveland mayor drew the biggest applause of the day when he called for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney and later told reporters he receives a similar reaction around the country when he calls for Cheney's impeachment. "I'm just waiting to be discovered by you," he told assembled media.

On a hot summer-like day, calls to end global warming drew almost as much applause as the calls to end the Iraqi War.

Kucinich told the more than 800 people attending, "We must end not just global warring, but global warming."

Richardson, who was energy secretary in the Clinton administration, said he would "develop a man-on-the-moon plan" to end the country's energy dependence on foreign oil in 10 years, but warned it would require sacrifice on the part of Americans.

Dodd touted his plan for energy independence and said, "Our polar cap is melting. This has to stop. We need some clear thinking and some bold ideas."

The state's recent passage of a bill allowing civil unions for gay and lesbian couples drew praise from the candidates, as did the recently passed smoking ban and the increase in the state minimum wage.

Also pleasing the crowd were calls for universal health care, improvements in public education and protecting abortion rights.

All the candidates praised the state for its switch to a Democratic majority last November, a political sea change in which Democrats took control of the executive council, the senate and the house, and defeated two incumbent Republican U.S. representatives.

"It's nice having Carol and Paul down (in Washington), but send me a senator will you?" pleaded Biden, in reference to new Democratic Reps. Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes, as well as Republican Sens. Judd Gregg and John E. Sununu.

Biden wasn't the only person calling for the defeat of Sununu, the state's junior senator, who is up for re-election next year.

In running down state Democrats' accomplishments during the last election and predicting continued success in 2008, party chairman Raymond Buckley called for "sending John E. Sununu home" after the upcoming campaign.

Those attending the convention also heard from the three candidates seeking to be the party's nominee to challenge Sununu: former astronaut Jay Buckey, former congressional candidate Katrina Swett and Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand "Every Democrat is welcome and every Democrat has a home in the Democratic Party," Buckley added.

While Biden, Dodd, Kucinich, Richardson and Gravel attended the convention the day before the first Democratic debate in New Hampshire, Sens.Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigned outside the state, as did former senator and vice-presidential candidate John Edwards.

Obama's wife, Michelle, did speak at the convention.

saying the core values of the candidates are important.She noted the warm reception she and her husband and family received last weekend in the North Country.

"That is why the primary in New Hampshire is an irreplaceable part of the nominating process," she said to applause.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley appeared for Clinton, and Edwards-campaign manager David Bonior, a former congressman, appeared on his candidate's behalf.