After hearing some strategic advice from proven winners within their own ranks, federal New Democrats got some pointers on Saturday from political pros who helped make history south of the border.

International United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard pumps his fist as NDP Leader Jack Layton raises his hand following Gerard's speech Saturday at the NDP national convention in Halifax. (Tim Krochak/Canadian Press)

Two key members of U.S. President Barack Obama's team told delegates at the party's convention in Halifax that they must forge relationships, share their stories and connect with voters at the grassroots level.

"Politicians have to tell a story of hope," Marshall Ganz, a political organizer with Obama's campaign last year, told the convention.

"In January of 2007, nobody thought a black man with a funny name had a ghost of a chance of becoming president of the United States."

But an army of organizers and volunteers played a pivotal role in changing that attitude, he said.

Betsy Myers, the Obama campaign's chief operating officer, told delegates it's important to embrace what she calls the qualities of the "new leader."

Obama used the internet to spread his message, but would never turn down an event just because of its small size, she said.

"Barack Obama worked his tail off," Myers said. "He never let up."

Union head slams PM, Ignatieff, U.S. 'nut-balls'

With placards emblazoned with "It can be done" prominently displayed at the convention, the NDP has a similar take on Obama's highly popular "Yes we can" slogan.

But recent polls suggest the party needs more than words to lift itself above 36 seats and fourth-party status in Parliament in the next election.

Darrell Dexter, who formed the first NDP government in Nova Scotia in June, told CBC News he thinks federal New Democratic Leader Jack Layton can also make history.

"I believe there's a great opportunity," Dexter said. "There's a lot of political space that I think is open for the party federally."

On Friday, Dexter and Manitoba NDP Premier Gary Doer advised delegates to end the debate on policy versus power — pointing out that without power, the New Democrats will never be able to execute their ideas.

Before Myers and Ganz spoke Saturday, international United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard had no trouble firing up the convention floor with some heated rhetoric.

Dismissing Americans who oppose health-care reform as "right-wing nut balls," Gerard also dubbed Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff the “Prince of Darkness," and told delegates Prime Minister Stephen Harper thinks of himself as “master of the universe” when he’s giving away Canadian resources and jobs.

Both leaders, he said, believe in "outmoded ideas that have brought this economic collapse to our doorstep."

Gerard also swore during his speech and then immediately apologized to cable station CPAC, which is broadcasting the entire convention.

Time could run out on name-change vote

But despite the presence of two heavy hitters from Obama's campaign, Layton and some delegates downplayed any link between the party and U.S. Democrats — even though the convention is mulling over a proposal to drop the word "New" from the NDP's name.

"We don't agree on everything," Layton said. "But I think it would be fair to say that it's been good for the world that we have a new administration and direction in Washington, and we'd like to see a new direction here in Canada."

Leigh Borden, an NDP delegate from Newfoundland and Labrador, said New Democrats can learn from the success of Obama's campaign without mimicking U.S. Democrats.

"New Democrats are social democrats first and foremost, and I don't think that the Democrats in the United States necessarily are," said Borden, 31. "It's more about embracing the strategies and the hope."

Delegates were expected to vote on the name change Sunday, but party officials said there might not be enough time to introduce the resolution.

With files from Alison Crawford, Julie Van Dusen and The Canadian Press