Delegates also are concerned about what could be perceived as Obama's inexperience or an agenda that's too liberal, but race by far was the top worry of those who responded to a mail survey by The Dispatch.

"If he had the exact same agenda and he was a white male named Stanley Smith, he would crush John McCain," said Jaladah Aslam, 48, a delegate from Austintown. "America needs to face one of its foremost demons in the face and deal with it once and for all: racism."

Several delegates said they especially are concerned about Obama's winning over white, middle-age and older voters, as well as blue-collar workers. Ohio Democrats voted convincingly for Hillary Clinton in the state's March primary.

"Quite honestly, we have to ask ourselves, 'Is this nation ready for a black president?' " said delegate Leslie Ford, 42, a Middletown councilwoman. "This election will be an interesting barometer of where we really stand, socially."

The Ohio Democratic delegation is diverse and balanced, with an equal number of men and women and 31 percent black, Latino or Asian-American. They hail from 41 of the state's 88 counties.

The Dispatch mailed a survey in early August to all 186 delegates and alternates selected and received 52 responses (28 percent).

The delegates singled out the economy as the most important issue facing the nation and the most important for Obama to address with Ohioans in the fall campaign.

The national economy has been struggling with home foreclosures, high gas prices and a weak job market, and the situation in Ohio has been even worse. The state continues to shed jobs, and its unemployment rate reached a 15-year high in July -- at the same time state revenue fell $140 million short of estimates.

"Again, 'It's the economy, stupid,' " said delegate David J. Leland, 54, of Columbus, the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, referring to the mantra that helped carry Bill Clinton to the White House.

Many delegates argued that the economy is inextricably linked to problems with health care, education, crime and other issues -- and that the "American Dream" for most people is in danger without good-paying jobs.

Nearly 70 percent of the delegates who responded to the survey called the economy and jobs the top issue, followed by the war in Iraq (12 percent) and health care and prescription drugs (8 percent).

Most delegates said they agree with Obama's positions on the latter two issues, namely that there should be a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq and that the nation needs universal health care.

"This is where the federal government can provide the largest impact on people's lives," Terry Penrod, 43, a Columbus delegate, said about addressing health care.

Despite a state economy that is getting worse by the month, 69 percent of the Democratic delegates still said Ohio is on the right track -- no doubt because Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland is in charge.

In fact, many mentioned Strickland's campaign pledge to "turn around Ohio" and said the governor needs a federal partner to get the job done.

"(We) need a president in the White House who really cares about places like Ohio," said David Mann, 26, from Toledo. "Strickland and others are doing what they can, but we need federal solutions first."

Not surprisingly, all but one delegate said they think Strickland will be re-elected in 2010.

The delegates also think that Rob Portman, the former Cincinnati congressman and Bush administration budget director, is the mostly likely Republican to face Strickland.

Portman was the top pick of 34 percent of survey respondents, followed by former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (21 percent).

mniquette@dispatch.com