The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Charlotte today.

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If you didn't know that, you probably have no clue who the keynote speaker will be. It's San Antonio mayor Julian Castro. One political expert says if you live in New Jersey and didn't know any of this it's okay because what happens at the DNC this week really doesn't matter in the Garden State.

"When the Democrats take to the podium in Charlotte today they will certainly be trying to gear up their base, but here in New Jersey it's pretty much a done deal," says Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "New Jersey is a blue state. There won't be a lot of campaigning here and so our contingent is not going to be that noticeable."

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is scheduled to speak tonight. His address should help pump up his profile because Booker is a darling of the Democratic Party and he's well known across the country as an excellent orator.

Even with Booker's speech, Murray says the DNC won't get much buzz in the Garden State. He explains, "The big difference here is that there is no New Jerseyan on the podium that has the spark and the attention that Governor (Chris) Christie certainly brought to the Republican convention."

On Townsquare Media's 'Ask the Governor' program last month, even Christie said President Barack Obama will carry New Jersey in November.

Murray says, "New Jersey is just not a concern for Democrats either in terms of electoral votes or in terms of any great leaders coming out of New Jersey right now."



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