Josh Meltzer | The Roanoke Times

Vermont delegates at Washington and Lee University's mock convention in Lexington listen to speakers on campus Friday afternoon.

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LEXINGTON -- Political predictions flowed freely, and there was even some praise of temperate student behavior as Washington and Lee University's Mock Democratic Convention got under way Friday.

When the student-run convention concludes this afternoon, Wesley Little, a member of W&L's Class of 2008 and a co-chairman of the event, assured students that W&L's stellar record of accuracy for picking presidential nominees will remain in place.

"We will get it right," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to history."

This year's quadrennial mock convention marks the 100th anniversary of the first faux convention held in 1908. Students pick the nominee of the party not in the White House. W&L's Mock Con has been right 18 out of 23 times.

Like past conventions, this year's political exercise began with a morning parade of student-built floats through the streets of Lexington's historic downtown.

Later in the day, Lexington Vice Mayor Tim Golden thanked students for their self-control. Depending on the level of revelry at past W&L conventions, he noted, such parades have been known for taking on more of a Mardi Gras tone than a political rally.

"We prefer to keep Main Street Main Street, and not Bourbon Street," Golden said.

An array of seasoned Democrats were on hand to do their share of political stumping or simply urge students to vote in November and be part of the political process.

Gov. Tim Kaine spoke of his support for Barack Obama, saying he's the only Democrat who can defeat a Republican challenger.

"There are other reasons" to support Obama, Kaine said, "but it comes down to that. We want to win."

Former Democratic vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro was just as enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton.

"I am absolutely convinced ... she is ready to lead," Ferraro said.

She criticized Obama's recent remarks praising Ronald Reagan's ability to unite the country during his two terms in office, saying most of Reagan's policies were in large part failures.

Ferraro said a candidate such as Clinton could help end the war in Iraq and restore America's reputation that has been "squandered" by President Bush.

"This election is about you. It's about the future," she told students. "Vote for change when you go to the actual polls."

Former Texas Rep. Charles Wilson, the subject of the Tom Hanks movie "Charlie Wilson's War," told students that a few people can make a big difference in the world, reflecting on his efforts to aid the Afghan people in successfully defending themselves against the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

In his address, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden said whoever the nominee is, the key to winning the White House is showing voters that a Democrat understands their concerns about losing their pensions, health care and other daily quality-of-life concerns.

"We Democrats must demonstrate that we understand their basic problems," he said.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder were scheduled to speak Friday night.

Today's keynote address will be given by U.S. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia. Also on hand will be Harold Ford, chairman of the national Democratic Leadership Council.

Today's Mock Con results will come in before the polls close in the South Carolina primary. Political analysts will surely be checking the results, a result that W&L President Ken Ruscio said speaks to the importance of holding such a student-run convention every four years.

"You have caused the eyes of the political world to gaze upon us," he said.