EMERALD ISLE, N.C. -- A retired naval officer from North Carolina is among 10 people who will be backstage during the Democratic National Convention when presidential candidate Barack Obama accepts the party's nomination.

The campaign said Monday that Lenny Julius of Emerald Isle will be at the convention in Denver next week. Julius served with presumptive Republican nominee John McCain in Vietnam and supported his presidential campaign in 2000.

But Julius said McCain has become closely aligned with Bush Administration policies that Julius considers a disaster. The campaign didn't cite specific policies.

Obama and McCain are competing closely in North Carolina. Many other supporters selected to attend the Democratic convention also live in swing states.