W. Virginia Gov. Keynotes Convention

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin implored fellow Democrats to tell their story to voters or risk having Republicans continue to do it for them.

"The Democratic Party is small town. That’s who we are," said Manchin, the convention’s key note speaker. He added, "You don’t have to pass a litmus test to be a Democrat."

Manchin, vice-chair of the Democratic Governors Association, recalled his upbringing in rural Farmington, W. Va., and encouraged Democrats to appeal to and protect all people.

He also praised Doyle in his speech to the delegation.

"If they’re not unbeatable, they should be," Manchin said of the Doyle-Lawton ticket.

In a meeting with reporters before his speech, Manchin said that retaining Jim Doyle as Wisconsin governor was critical for Wisconsin,.

"He’s the first person I look to," Manchin said. "It’s imperative that Jim Doyle is re-elected."

Manchin said the DGA is giving its full support to Doyle, as well as a proportional share of its fundraising money.

"Thank God Jim’s doing pretty well on his own raising money," Manchin said.