With a few clicks of a computer mouse, protesters can find out a lot about Linda Henderson, a first-time Republican delegate from New Hampshire. They can find out her name, home address, telephone number, and the hotel where her state delegation will be staying during the convention.

But neither the prospect of targeted protests nor the threat of a terrorist attack fazes her. “What are they going to do? Protest in my front yard?” Ms. Henderson, 58, said with a laugh.

While New Yorkers brace themselves for the worst-what some fear could be a repeat of the 1968 riots in Chicago-delegates like Ms. Henderson are calmly looking forward to the convention as – not just a chance to participate in the political process, but also as an opportunity to explore a big city and have a good time.

“In terms of security, I feel very confident,” said Laura Monica, a first-time delegate from New Hampshire. “There’s always a risk, but New York will be the safest part of the country to be in,” she said, referring to the city’s heightened state of alert for the weeklong convention that starts on August 30.

Ms. Monica, who is in her mid-40s, said she has big plans for the convention, and they don’t all involve politics.

“Seeing how I have two 16-year-old daughters, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s are at the top of our list,” said Ms. Monica, a director of public relations who expects to spend several thousand dollars during her trip. “I’ve heard of delegates who spent as much as $10,000 at past conventions, but those are the people who maxed out their credit card,” she said.

Ms. Monica is not unusual in her eagerness to hit the stores.

“My wife has a black belt in shopping,” said a Tennessee delegate and retired National Guardsman, Bill Cloar, who said his wife was initially apprehensive about visiting New York. “You can’t have that kind of attitude. At the same time, you can’t take these threats lightly,” he said. “But you can’t help but think about them. It’s like getting on an airplane and picturing it crash.”

For Amanda Stone, a legal assistant from Waynesboro, Ga., population 6,000, being a delegate at the convention is a chance to do some world-class shopping. “New York is the fashion capital of the world,” she said. “Everyone wants to bring something back which they can boast they got in New York.”

Several delegates downplayed the security threat at the convention. “They said the same thing about Philadelphia four years ago, and nothing happened,” said Robert Klang, 68, an alternate delegate and retired engineer from Florida.

“I have a lot of faith in New York’s finest,” said Michael Bates, 40, a Republican delegate from Tulsa, Okla. “I know a lot of effort is being made to maintain security.”

Tight security is nothing new for delegates, who are used to far-away parking and having their personal belongings searched. Most delegates will either walk or ride a delegation bus between their hotel and Madison Square Garden.

Mr. Cloar, who attended the 1988 convention in New Orleans, said he had never seen so many cops back then. “I know New York is a bigger city, but I don’t expect anything to be different,” he said.

Similarly, delegates expressed little concern about the large anti-Bush protests scheduled around the city. “I don’t feel intimidated by them,” said Ms. Stone, from Georgia. “I’m a baby-boomer, so I grew up around protesters. You just have to learn to look the other way.”

“They have a right to protest as long as they remain peaceful, ” said Karen Raye, a 38-year-old Maine Republican delegate who will be attending the convention with her husband, also a delegate. “That’s what the First Amendment is all about.”

Mr. Bates spoke of the protesters as if they were part of New York’s eccentric scenery. “I’ll have my camera ready so I can catch any crazy protesters,” he said. “They expect us to be wearing monocles and top hats. They only believe in free speech for themselves.”