By MICHAEL McAULIFFE mmcauliffe@repub.com Hillary Rodham Clinton is out of the presidential race, but Pioneer Valley supporters elected as delegates for the New York senator are still looking forward to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. "No second thoughts. I'm still going," said Springfield resident Melvin R. Drungo Jr., one of a half-dozen valley residents elected as Clinton delegates during caucuses in April. "I'm absolutely going to go," said another, Easthampton resident Shawn M. Robinson. "I'm thrilled. I'm excited." Drungo and Robinson are both delegates for the first time. Both are also black, and they will be witnesses to history when U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., becomes the first black presidential candidate nominated to represent a major party. "That," said the 25-year-old Robinson, "is well worth the cost. And, it's extremely expensive. I can't believe I'm going to get to see it." Delegates are responsible for covering their costs to attend the Aug. 25 to 28 convention, and the bill can run to thousands of dollars. However, fund-raisers are sometimes conducted to help defray the costs. Only Springfield City Councilor Jose F. Tosado among the Clinton delegates elected at Pioneer Valley caucuses decided to bypass the convention. He will back Obama, but he said he lost a lot of his zeal for the convention after Clinton quit the race. "I am a Democrat," said Tosado. "But then again, I can stay home and vote for hi ...
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