Democratic governors lined up Tuesday to criticize Republican John McCain and offered a chorus of praise for their party’s nominee, Barack Obama.

Underscoring the governors’ rhetoric was an appeal to populations where Obama has run weak in polls, particularly among rural and middle-class voters. The Democratic governors, speaking in short bits, vouched that Obama deserved greater consideration from those voting blocs and that McCain was unacceptable.

“The entrenched powers of the Bush/Cheney years have everything to gain from keeping things just the way they are. They will pull out all the stops to elect John McCain because they know he’ll keep looking out for them,” declared Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. “But I have news for them: their days are numbered.”

A day earlier, the convention faced criticism that it was too gentle in its comments about McCain and the man both he and Obama seek to replace, President Bush.

No more.

Without pause, speakers repeated the message that McCain amounted to a third Bush term and said Democrats must not allow Republicans four more years in the White House.

“If he’s the answer, then the question must be ridiculous,” New York Gov. David Paterson said of the GOP presidential candidate. “...I have a better idea. Let’s give them four more months and then elect Barack Obama.”

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin used his role as chair of the Democratic Governors Association to promote Obama in Appalachia, a region where Obama suffered major losses.

“West Virginians value hard work, patriotism and faith in God. ... They mine the coal, make the steel, and work the assembly lines that make our industries tick. Their experience and knowledge has earned each of them a Ph.D. in life. They can shake your hand, look you in the eye, and touch your heart,” Manchin said. “And let me tell you something: They can’t afford four more years like the last eight. They need and deserve better from Washington.”

Speakers also sought to paint McCain as an insider, tainted with special interests and sponsored by energy companies — a theme Democrats have recited for weeks.

“Now the oil companies are placing their bets on John McCain, bankrolling his campaign and gambling with our future,” said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, whose state has made ethanol production a key political issue. “McCain has voted against tax credits for renewable energy 11 times. And his only idea to solve our energy crisis is to keep doing what were doing as we watch prices go up and up and up.”

The governors’ speeches came to a largely empty auditorium. Keynote speaker Mark Warner and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton were not scheduled to speak until the end of the evening. The governors were given short blocs — some prepared remarks were only a single page.

“Thank you, my time is up,” Paterson joked as the scantly filled auditorium loudly applauded his arrival.