And from Colorado...

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Colorado delegate Brian O'Donnell is posting updates on his blog, if you want to check out yet another perspective.

Convention News - Day 1

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Bruce Springsteen will not be playing the convention. Or maybe he will be - and BonJovi too.

and there still may be other surprises on Thursday.

and Obama may make a live video appearance on Monday night.

Michelle Obama will get a walk-through of the Pepsi Center stage Monday morning.

John Legend Scheduled to Premiere 'If You're Out There,' opening the convention on Monday.

Hillary Clinton to speak at Invesco........ well, in a private suite at a party on Tuesday night.

And some Clinton delegates are trying to get her the VP slot.

Bill Clinton wants to talk about the economy. But he's on "national security" theme night. He's not happy.

The Secret Service does not expect long lines at Pepsi Center or Invesco.

The networks have all their toys in place to cover the convention.

Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is preparing for supporters to sleep outside of Invesco Field the night before he formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination before more than 75,000 people. - CNN

We wrote on Friday whether 2008 is the end of the conventions as we know them. The NY Times says "Going, Going But Not Yet Gone".

Time Magazine profiles Matt Nugen, Obama's man in Denver. We wrote about Nugen in June, and noted that he was on the site-selection committee for the convention.

Ed Kilgore is also working behind the scenes in one of the convention rehearsal rooms.

Tornado

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Around 6 local time, twisters were reported just southeast of Denver.

Kennedy coming to Denver

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We know from the DCW Schedule (left sidebar) that Ted Kennedy is slated to appear by video tomorrow night. ABC has it that if he can get a final approval from his docs, he'll be there in person.

Update:

In a development that is sure to bring the house down, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy is expected to attend the Democratic National Convention, most likely to deliver a speech tomorrow night.

Gun Arrest

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From the Denver Post:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefly evacuated from her downtown Denver hotel on Saturday when a man carrying two hunting rifles and two pistols tried to check in to the hotel.

Secret Service spokesman Malcolm Wiley said 29-year-old Joseph Calanchini of Pinedale, Wyo., faces a charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon after police officers at the Grand Hyatt hotel noticed him carrying a rifle-type case while checking in. Calanchini did not have a concealed weapons permit, said Lance Clem, spokesman for the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

Wiley said authorities were not releasing information about whether the weapons were loaded because the case remained under investigation. Wiley said the charge is the same whether the weapons were loaded or unloaded.

Pelosi and other guests briefly evacuated the hotel but were never in danger, Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said.

Obamas arrive in Denver....

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Michelle, Malia and Sasha, that is. They also brought Marian Ross, Michelle's mother with them. They arrived around 12:30 local time and were greeted by Governor Bill Ritter, his wife, and many delegates and volunteers.

Delegate Seating Map Released

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Here's the map we've all been waiting for

Click on the picture for a larger view

Front row delegations are from left to right: Vermont, Colorado, Illinois, Delaware, Florida and Indiana.

Convention News

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Check out our Convention Calendar for all events in Denver this week, and our Convention Schedule for the latest information on speakers at the convention.

Today's speeches from Obama and Biden are available at DemConWatch Speeches. Best line of the day from Biden:

Ladies and gentlemen, your kitchen table is like mine. You sit there at night before you put the kids -- after you put the kids to bed and you talk, you talk about what you need. You talk about how much you are worried about being able to pay the bills. Well, ladies and gentlemen, that's not a worry John McCain has to worry about. It’s a pretty hard experience. He’ll have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at.

Construction work at Invesco has started. They have 5 days to get it done.

Denver is running short on limos.

The NY Times looks at the bloggers coming to Denver:

But some bloggers see the procurement of credentials as less of a privilege and more of a right, in recognition of their grass-roots influence. “This is stuff we deserve — we helped the party get people elected,” said Matt Stoller, a political consultant and a contributor to the blog Open Left, who worked as the volunteer in charge of getting credentials for bloggers at the Democratic convention four years ago. “Maybe in 2004 it was about being accommodating and innovative — but this time around there’s a real fight for power in the party.”

The protesters are getting prepared.

Security lines already getting long at Pepsi Center.

The first official event of the convention is the Democratic National Convention Interfaith Gathering at the Wells Fargo Theater, located inside the Colorado Convention Center, Sunday at 2:00.

Minnesota Democrats are offering a cash prize of over $500 to anyone who can snap a picture of Sen. Norm Coleman and President Bush together at the upcoming Republican National Convention.

DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry gives a tour of the Pepsi Center:

Convention News

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- There are 3 days left until the opening gavel

- The Rocky Mountain News has it's final installment of their great series "Unconventional Wisdom" today. The final interview is with Seamus Ahern who is the Marine that Obama talked about in his 2004 convention speech.

- Denver is jazzier than you might think.

- 10 Denver buildings worth seeing.

- Fox News prepares for running the pool video for the convention.

- A master schedule of protest events has been released.

- Concessions at Invesco on Thursday will be just as ridiculously expensive as they usually are.

- Is your cell phone battery charged? The VP announcement could come at any minute.

Convention News

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- There are 4 days left until the opening gavel.

- The Secret Service is on the job and ready to go.

- Clinton doesn't want her supporters to make a scene.

In an unusual move, Hillary Clinton's staff is creating a 40-member "whip team" at the Denver Democratic convention to ensure that her supporters don't engage in embarrassing anti-Obama demonstrations during the floor vote on her nomination, according to people familiar with the planning. - Politico

- The Governator may turn down his invite to speak at the Republican Convention.

- Georgia Politics Unfiltered reports that the Attorney General of Georgia has sent a letter to delegates telling them they can't change their vote unless a candidate releases them to do so.



- Pepsi Center construction is moving along

The unassigned filing center is really taking shape. It still resembles a practice basketball court, but there are a few major differences. The hardwood floor has been covered up to protect the surface, and the court is filled with tables and TVs to accommodate members of the media. Power sockets and Internet connections are also being put in place so the press can file their stories. Adjacent to the basketball court, the Blogger Lounge is coming together with it’s own supply of tables, couches, TVs, and connectivity. - DNCC

- A little off topic but Howard Wolfson starts a music blog. His first post:

Relax, Democrats. Given their successes so far, hasn’t the team running the Obama campaign earned the benefit of the doubt?

- Public Enemy will be playing in Civic Center Park on August 26th. That should go well. Correction: Public Enemy will play at a Service Employees International Union sponsored event at the Sunken Gardens.

- Howard Dean on the loss of Stephanie Tubbs Jones

"We are greatly saddened about the passing of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a true American hero and inspiring leader, having spent a lifetime breaking barriers and standing up for her values. Just last week I was honored to have Stephanie join me on the campaign trail in Ohio where, as always, her infectious energy, enthusiasm and passion uplifted the crowd. Her voice will be greatly missed.

"This is a great loss for our Party and our nation. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' friends and family during this difficult time."

- Hick thinks there will be less protesters than previously estimated

He explained, "All the information we have suggests it's not going to be a serious problem at all. The most recent numbers suggest less and less and less protestors. There are some folks out there that want to cause a disturbance. There'll be a few of them; we'll take care of it. I don't see it as being a significant problem. We have planned for any eventuality, no matter what happens I think we have contingencies plans in place but we don't expect it to serious at all." - 9News

- McCain doesn't know how many houses he owns. And he calls Obama elitist? The Obama campaign is jumping on this bigtime. One of the homes McCain can't count is worth $12 million.

- The wife of Arkansas' Democratic State Party Chair who was murdered on August 13th, will attend the convention.

- Sean Hannity has been pledging to cause problems at the convention on his radio show. Here's a nice little tip sheet to use if you're confronted by him and his minions. It's sure to drive him even crazier than he already is.

Convention News

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- There are 5 days left until the opening gavel.

- The Denver Post compares "The Fox Experience" vs. The CNN Grill"

- Rasmussen polling finds that 49% think Hillary Clinton will overshadow Obama at the convention.

- How great would it be if McCain picked Lieberman only to have the Republican Convention to reject him? And in case you're worried... no we won't lose the majority if Lieberman switches.

- SkyNet is here.

- Stay tuned for more events to be announced and immediately added to the DemConWatch Convention Calendar.

- Every delegate will get a $40 transportation voucher and taxi drivers are nervous that they'll be worthless.

- Nevada State Senator and superdelegate Dina Titus will not attend the convention. Titus was a Clinton supporter and didn't endorse Obama before we froze our superdelegate endorsement list on June 6th.

- The Mittster will be in Denver next week. Last time he was here he did a campaign stop at a car dealership.

- And so will Nader...

Val Kilmer, Sean Penn, Cindy Sheehan, Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, Nellie McKay, and Ike Reilly will all appear at the Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez "Open the Debates" Super Rally next week in Denver. The event is scheduled for 8/27 at 6 p.m. at the University of Denver Magness Arena. - Hotline

- Congratulations to Rachel Maddow who finally got her own show on MSNBC.

- Stephen Colbert isn't mad that he's not going to the conventions.

Convention News

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- The opening gavel is only 7 days away. Convention related events start as early as Thursday with the Stonewall Democrats National Convention. You can find info on this and a lot more in the DemConWatch Convention Calendar

- Jon Meacham from Newsweek and Chris Cillizza from the Washington Post will be streaming live coverage 7 hours a day from the convention.

- Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic will also be streaming.

- Senator Norm "Teeth" Coleman wouldn't go to the Republican convention if it was held in Minneapolis.

- The DNCC posts a construction update. They need to be done by Friday for the Open House.

- Qwest has reached an agreement with its workers.

- We should find out who Obama's VP pick is sometime this week.

- Marc Ambinder reports that Ohio Republican Party Chair may have spilled the beans on McCain's VP pick. Hello Rob Portman.

"Sen. McCain is expected to host a rally on August 29 in Dayton and is looking for a BIG venue and for a BIG crowd. He'll get it. This is not yet public. I guess I just made it so

- Pay Equity Pioneer Lilly Ledbetter has been added to Tuesday's speaking schedule.

“We are honored that Lilly Ledbetter will address the Democratic Convention,” said Senator Barack Obama. “The fact that women are paid less than their male coworkers for doing the same job is unacceptable in the 21st century and counter to both the progress we've made and our shared values as Americans. Lilly Ledbetter's case before the Supreme Court has once again awakened the nation to this discrimination, and it's time we join together to right this wrong and pay women equal pay for equal work." - DNCC Press

- The Big Tent is taking shape

Convention News

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- The hot ticket in Denver is Chicago Night in Denver.

- Oprah Winfrey will be in Denver for the convention.

- Notifications for tickets to Invesco begin today. Let us know if you got yours.

- Worried about the heat in Denver? The forecast calls for snow in the mountains tomorrow.

- Denver has setup a DNC Hotline. Just call 311 while you're in town.

- Denver businesses already seeing convention payoff.

- Construction on the Big Tent has started.

- The DCCC is asking people to host convention parties.

- Judge grants superdelegate Kwame Kilpatrick's request to attend the convention.

- Convention Protesters couldn't wait to get started.

Activists in Berkeley, Calif., who are planning to confront the Democratic National Convention this month are holding a rally today to protest a fenced-in “free speech zone” that is more than 700 feet away from the Pepsi Center in Denver, where the event will be held. - Colorado Independent

- Rolling Stone and Trojan will be hosting a party on opening night and 50 people have a chance to get tickets.

Now that's a party. Trojan, yes, the condom folks, and Rolling Stone magazine are hosting Evolve America - An Evening of Sex, Politics and Rock 'n' Roll featuring a 45-minute stand-up routine by political satirist Bill Maher from 8 p.m. to midnight Aug. 25 at the Sherman Events Center, the opening day of the Democratic National Convention here. - RMN

- It's funny how the more Bush's approval rating goes down, the more McCain's voting record backs him.

Convention News

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• The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau says there are still hotel rooms available for convention week.
• Someone is supposedly offering $3,650 for a pair of Obama tickets. Seems awful high when there will likely be dozens (of not more) of tickets offered for sale.
• Will Illinois be front-and-center on the floor?
• Eight GOP Senators are skipping their convention
• Tom Holbrook looks at convention bounces

Convention News - Late Edition

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- There are 13 days left until the opening gavel.

- Coloradans will have their chance tomorrow to tape their questions or stories to be aired at the convention

AMERICA’S TOWN HALL ‘OPEN CALL’ TAPING
11:30 AM - 5:30 PM MT
16th Street Mall
Corner of 16th Street and California St
Denver, CO 80202

Info for the other Open Calls can be found here

- Watch The Big Tent Construction Cam. Live streaming video of an empty parking lot! Construction begins today
Just announced for The Big Tent: John Podesta and T Boone Pickens!

- Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will speak on Monday and Colorado Governor will speak on Thursday.

Mark Squier, the producer, said that bookending the convention with prominent Colorado Democrats was part of a larger strategy to showcase the party's rise in what has become a political battleground. - Denver Post

- The Brown Palace Hotel is ready for its second convention.

On Aug. 12, 1892, The Brown Palace Hotel opened its doors in the heart of downtown Denver. The hotel has remained open every minute of every day since opening.

Every U.S. president has visited The Brown Palace since Teddy Roosevelt (1905), with the exception of Calvin Coolidge.

Four of the hotel's suites are named for their famous residents: The Beatles Suite, Eisenhower Suite, Reagan Suite, and Roosevelt Suite.

Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to stop at The Brown Palace Hotel. He came to Colorado to hunt bear in the spring of 1905. During his trip, he spoke to a group of businessmen at an elaborate banquet at the hotel. Roosevelt preceded the trend for cigar smoking; 1,500 cigars were smoked during the event.

- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland will speak on Tuesday night

Gov. Ted Strickland has been given a prime speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention to talk about the economy. Strickland told reporters in a conference call that the Barack Obama campaign asked him to speak Tuesday evening at the convention. - PolitickerOH

- Focus on the Family has removed their video asking everybody to pray for rain at Invesco.

- The DNCC announces "Countdown to America's Future" daily webcasts.

In recognition of the growing power of the Internet and online video, now the primary source of news to millions of Americans, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced today the launch of “Countdown to America’s Future,” a series of daily webcasts about the 2008 Democratic Convention, featuring campaign officials and Convention insiders who know what’s happening behind the scenes and the inside scoop to watch for during each night’s televised Convention program.

- Our friends at Georgia Politics Unfiltered interviewed one of the finalists in the DNCC's "Why Are You A Democrat in 2008" contest. You can see the other videos and vote here.

Convention News

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- Newspapers are gearing up for the convention

- Playing in Denver: Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, Willie Nelson, Melissa Etheridge and Jerry Jeff Walker. Also CSN, James Taylor and Ani DiFranco. And Fallout Boy and Jakob Dylan at a Rock The Vote concert.

- Playing in St. Paul: Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, John Rich. The Charlie Daniels, Sammy Hagar and the Beach Boys

- Get'em in Denver: The Obama Granite Martini, the Barrock Shrimp Cake, Obama Omelet, Ballot Box Brownies, Yes You Can Pancake

- The Denver Post writes about all of the rumors going around.

- Another Clinton delegate gets in trouble with her state party.

- Mail collection boxes in downtown Denver have been removed.

- The theme for the Republicans on Thursday will be... wait for it... PEACE!

- Why aren't Republicans excited for their convention like the Democrats are?

“Nobody likes a funeral,” said a Senate Republican press secretary who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing “the overall climate of general malaise about the party” as the reason for hesitance on the part of Republicans. - Politico

- Along those same lines... the Obama Campaign held a conference call with Former Republican Senator Lincoln Chaffee and Former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach to announce Republicans for Obama.

Convention News

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- We're only 2 weeks away from the start of the convention

- John and Elizabeth Edwards will not be going to the convention.

- Chelsea Clinton may not introduce her mother after all.

- McCain will speak with people behind him at the Republican Convention. Their original choice was a large green background but they decided against it.

- We're adding new events to our DemConWatch Convention Calendar every day. If you click on Agenda or Day you can see all of the events better.

- The Rocky Mountain News is running a great series called Unconventional Wisdom.

Some of the most compelling figures from the past ten Democratic National Conventions offer their lessons for Barack Obama and Denver in a series that runs daily Monday-Friday, concluding Aug. 22.

- Perennial announces a series of events during convention week. Guests include Will.i.am, Chris Tucker, Martin Luther King III and others. All events have been added to our calendar.

- Metro State University of Denver hosts online convention course.

The course will include discussion boards, live and recorded video interviews, articles and documents regarding key issues, mock party platform exercise, and discussion/essay topics. In addition, learners will be asked to gather and contribute content to the course. Acting as reporters exploring the main political discourse at the DNC, learners will be encouraged to interview DNC Delegates or other prominent politicians and share any video or audio of the interview with other course participants.

- Protesters are suing to get closer to the Republican National Convention

Two newly filed lawsuits in Ramsey County District Court claim that St. Paul city and police officials are restricting free speech rights by confining demonstrators to a designated assembly area. The lawsuits cover the same ground, with one calling the public viewing area near the Xcel Energy Center "inadequate and unacceptably small." - USA Today

- Ohio for Change presents Barns for Obama

Convention News

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• Convention banners are up in Denver
• Private houses and apartments near the Pepsi Center are expensive. Really expensive.
• But there are still are some hotel rooms available.
• Rental cars are scarce also.
  
• The Denver Mint is closed the week of the convention.
• Some street closures around Invesco announced
• Everyone is trying to get tickets for Obama's speech
  
• Denver is cleaning up before the guests arrive
  
• Chelsea Clinton to introduce Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night
• GOP is or was $10 million short on their convention funding

A look at who's on the other end of the phone when you call the DNCC:

Convention News

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- The Rocky Mountain News has details on how the ticket request process worked for Invesco

From 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, about 20 volunteers sat in a windowless room at the Pipefitters Local Union 208 in Denver taking calls.

Then, at 9 a.m. Thursday, volunteers again began taking ticket requests. Internet requests could be filled out overnight.

Each phone call took about five minutes. - RMN

- If you're coming to Denver remember we have less oxygen here

The Mile High City has 17 percent less oxygen than at sea level. Consequently, many conventioneers are likely to notice a shortness of breath. A few may suffer, for reasons researchers still don't quite understand, throbbing headaches. A fraction might get hit with what can feel like a no-booze hangover — headaches along with nausea and lethargy. - Denver Post

- Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski won't be attending the convention.

“He didn’t think being away from the office for a week would be worth it,” Taylor said. “And when he looked at how much it was going to cost his PAC to help get him and a staff member to the convention, he decided he’d rather give the money to House Democrats.”

- The FAA has issued a flight advisory for convention week.

Pursuant to 49 USC 40103(B), The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies the airspace defined in these NOTAMs as "National Defense Airspace". Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the rules concerning operations in this airspace may be subject to certain criminal penalties under 49 USC 46307. Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Law Enforcement/USSS/Security Personnel.

Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.

- Obama begins his vacation in Hawaii today.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is expected to be accompanied by his wife and two daughters. The vacation will also feature a campaign fundraiser at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, estimated to pick up more than $1 million. - Star Bulletin

- The Secret Service is shopping for vehicle barriers for the convention

Officials with the the United States Secret Service are looking to purchase eight 16-foot wide mobile barriers to restrict access to traffic at the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention in August. - Colorado Independent

- Dick Cheney will be speaking at the Republican National Convention after all

Under the plans announced today, Cheney would speak on Sept. 1, the same day that President Bush is scheduled to deliver a nighttime address. First Lady Laura Bush will also give her own short address that night, but she will not introduce her husband, White House officials have said. Mitchell said the time of Cheney's appearance remains to be decided. - WaPo

Detroit Mayor and superdelegate Kwame Kilpatrick just got himself into more trouble

Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, already fighting eight felony charges including perjury, was charged Friday with two felony counts of assaulting or obstructing a police officer. - NY Times

- John Edwards admits to affair. Elizabeth Edwards still planning to speak at convention.

- Oprah Winfrey is renting a house for $50,000 during convention week.

A spokeswoman for Winfrey said she didn't know if the talk show host had rented a place in Denver to entertain guests.

"Her attendance at the convention has not been confirmed," said the spokeswoman, who didn't want her name to be published. - RMN

Convention News

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Convention stories are coming fast and furious as we get closer to August 25th.

- Does your insurance cover protest damage?

Individuals who own businesses and property near the convention’s Pepsi Center location and other sites such as Civic Center Park, where many protesters plan to congregate, should check their insurance policies to see what they would cover – and what might come out of their own pockets. - Colorado Independent

- If you're staying at the Howard Johnson's on Federal Blvd... you may want to give them a call.

Heavy smoke from a hotel fire in Denver early this morning resulted in 11 people being taken to local hospitals, including five children - Denver Post

- Is the Convention vulnerable to cyber-attacks?

The Democratic National Convention in Denver this month could be the site of a series of attacks — cyber attacks, that is. According to security experts, the event is a perfect occasion for computer hackers to attempt a wide range of break-ins, from accessing delegates' credit card information to cutting off cell phone service in the convention sites, sending out fake news releases and planting porn in an unsuspecting politician's laptop. - Colorado Independent

- Denver is allowed to keep fences and pre-set parade routes

The U.S. Secret Service and city of Denver may restrict protesters' access to the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Marcia S. Krieger said that while a designated parade route and fenced-in protest zone may inhibit protesters' ability to express themselves, they do not violate First Amendment rights to free speech. - RMN

- If Tent State can't camp at City Park they have other plans

The Tent State University organizers say they believe they have resolved questions about what to do once the curfew strikes at 11 p.m. at City Park: Pack their belongings and tents and march every night to the Pepsi Center's protest zone. - RMN

- Detroit Mayor and Superdelegate Kwame Kilpatrick is going to spend the night in jail.

A judge on Thursday ordered Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to jail, shocking the city and plunging the leadership of the nation's 11th-largest city into uncertainty. - Detroit News

- A new concert has been announced for the Republican convention: The Charlie Daniels Band at The Depot (which is in downtown Minneapolis). Is he older than McCain?

- MSNBC and MySpace announced their convention video winners.

- We've added a bunch of events to our Convention Calendar

- We all know the McCain campaign is a train wreck... but did you know it's a bus wreck too?

- As you may have noticed there are some new names posting for us. We have a growing list of people coming to Denver as bloggers, volunteers and delegates ready to share their experience with you. Thanks to all of you! And if you're coming to Denver and would be interested in posting let us know.

- You can vote for who you think should win the DNCC's Why Are You a Democrat video contest.

- And finally... a look at construction progress at the Pepsi Center