Molly Kawahata of Palo Alto, the youngest California delegate to the Democratic National Convention, will be blogging live from Denver in hopes of changing divisive politics she says have "dominated America since the 1960s."

"What we need now more than anything is a president who can unite people," said Kawahata, 18, an incoming UC Berkeley freshman and recent national high school director of Students for Barack Obama.

Her goal reflects the challenges facing the largest and most diverse delegation that will gather Monday through Thursday at the convention – where Obama is due to accept the Democratic presidential nomination.

California's 441 delegates will play a critical role in whether Democrats rally around their standard-bearer or succumb to internal party tensions from a long, combative primary season.

While Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Rodham Clinton handily won California's Feb. 5 primary. As the delegation embraces Obama – and leaders promise a unified convention – it also vents.

Some die-hard Clinton delegates, such as Laura Spanjian of San Francisco, doggedly pushed for Clinton's name to be placed in nomination in Denver. Some are upset over her perceived unfair treatment by the news media and disappointed by Obama's decision not to name her to the Democratic ticket.

Spanjian says party officials "want our voices and absolutely want us to go forward," and says she is ready "to pump Obama up" at the convention. But she complains that "sexism and misogyny in the media" undermined Clinton's historic candidacy.

California first lady Maria Shriver recently urged Clinton supporters at a Women for Obama unity reception to overcome their "grieving" and reconcile behind the nominee.

This week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco will choreograph a calculated dance toward party unity.

Today, three days before Obama's culminating speech before 75,000 people at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High, Pelosi will accompany Clinton to an appearance before the California delegation. She promises to celebrate Obama as an "American story that reflects a life of struggle, opportunity and responsibility."

Pelosi has fences to mend. Her remarks last spring that Democrats must select their nominee based on state primaries and caucus results – not the whim of party superdelegates – infuriated Clinton backers who felt she was helping Obama.

Whether the Denver convention will be a joyous Obamathon to launch the party nominee may hinge on the enthusiasm of delegates such as David Serrano Sewell, a San Francisco deputy city attorney.

For weeks, the Clinton delegate circulated signatures demanding that the party follow tradition by placing Clinton's name into nomination at the convention. "I've been accused of being a disaffected feminist," he said.

Now that Obama and Clinton have agreed her name will be put into nomination, Serrano Sewell promises a convention – and California delegation – as harmonious as his relationship with his mother.

"We've been portrayed as provocateurs," Serrano Sewell said of the petitioners for Clinton. "We're not. I've been walking precincts since I was 5. My mother (Sandra Serrano Sewell) is an Obama delegate. I would never do anything to tear this party apart."

Convention planners are promoting a political love fest – with prime speaking roles for the New York senator and former President Bill Clinton – leading to the culminating ode to Obama.

Yet Obama delegate Bill Slaton, a retired Sacramento Municipal Utility District director, said a little friction might help draw attention to the party and important Democratic issues.

"Turmoil is not bad," said Slaton. He said the competitive primary race only increased interest in the eventual nominee.

Slaton expresses amusement over a tiny faction of Clinton supporters dubbed the PUMAS – or Party Unity My Ass – that wants Clinton to fight for the nomination despite already having conceded and endorsed Obama.

Call Peter Hecht, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5539.