17 days -- 2008 Democratic National Convention Aug 25-28 Denver, CO Seats For Obama's Convention Speech At Stadium Snapped Up In One Day Wow. From the Denver Post: Colorado's tickets to see Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High were more than spoken for within about 24 hours, officials said, and the application process closed Thursday for all but those willing to be put on a waiting list. Obama's campaign set aside for Colorado half of the more than 60,000 seats available to the public for the final night of the Democratic National Convention. It turns out the battleground state could have filled the stadium, as the campaign ended applications after collecting more than 60,000 Thursday afternoon. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/
via TPM -- The DNC's committee for the convention announces the dates of two key speakers at the big event: Michelle Obama, and Hillary. From the release: Not that this was in any doubt at all, but this would appear to confirm that Hillary is definitely not Veep. Reports have it that Bill will speak on Wednesday, too.
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via TPM -- Obama And Hillary Reach Deal On How To Conduct Convention By Greg Sargent - August 14, 2008, 10:53AM The Hillary and Obama campaigns have finally reached an official deal on how to handle her role at the convention -- her name will be placed in nomination, as a way to assuage her embittered supporters and minimize the possibility of strife at the Denver gathering, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Obama and Hillary advisers decided that this course was preferable to having her name not introduced, the sources say. One source confirmed that there will be a roll call vote at the convention, probably on the third day, with her name in entrance, and that Hillary will encourage her supporters to vote for Obama. "This will recognize the historic nature of the primaries, honor the voices of everyone who participated, and help with party unity," the source says. The second source says that the Hillary campaign, under pressure from its supporters, expressed concern about her backers making noise at the gathering and finding a way for their voices to be heard. The Obama campaign was also considering how to ensure that and offered the idea of putting her name in nomination, the source says. This resolution, which was the product of joint negotiations between the two campaigns, runs directly counter to what some Hillary critics in recent days were describing as an effort on her part to hijack the convention proceedings. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, for instance, recently wrote that Hillary "feels no guilt about encouraging her supporters to mess up Barack Obama's big moment." But people in both the Obama and Hillary camps say that this is pure fiction. Indeed, as Marc Ambinder reported this morning, tensions between the two camps were greatly exaggerated. Indeed, according to sources, the only problem the Obama camp had was with the tiny minority of vocal Hillary supporters who were threatening to make trouble. Obama advisers say that they had no issue with Hillary or her advisers' handling of the negotiations. A joint press release on the deal is forthcoming.
Pretty interesting on the Hillary/Obama front.....mc mark, Look at the pic of the security...Every convention it seems to get more intense,...Or do you think it is because of Obama?
Those are Massachusetts State Police, or Staties as us non Bostonians learned in The Departed. I think it's ironic and hilarious that a blog about being prepared for the end of the world thinks Denver is going overboard in their preparations for the convention.
Ahh. you did your homework. I'm impressed. p.s. I really thought those are Denver police. Are you sure? p.s.s. It's a great blog with humor appeal (if not informative)
Yes, I'd also like to hear his reason why. I mean, I know you are too ROX. Being so interested in people's intentions and all.
That's right. There is a rumor that Jesse verbally "backhanded" Obama, and the decision of not attending was to draw down the past issue...
via TPM -- McCain Campaign Raises Expectations -- For Media Coverage Of Dem Convention By Greg Sargent - August 22, 2008, 3:00PM This is a sign of the unique historical nature of this presidential race, and an interesting twist on the old campaign game of raising expectations for your opponent. The McCain campaign has just blasted out a new memo that seeks to frame the Dem convention in advance by predicting that it could bring Obama a poll bounce of as much as 15 points. More interesting, though, is the way it seeks to hike expectations for the media coverage and historical resonance of Obama's speech on the final night: This has an element of the usual phony ref-gaming to it. But at the same time, the McCain campaign is genuinely girding itself for what will undoubtedly be a frustrating few days. Obama's official nomination -- the first nomination of a black person at a major-party convention -- is something of a world-historical event, and will be an international story that will indeed captivate many in the media. Full McCain memo after the jump. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/mccain_campaign_raises_expecta.php#more
not surprising -- Florida, Michigan Granted Full Voting Rights DENVER — Democratic delegates from Michigan and Florida were awarded full voting rights at the national convention Sunday, despite holding early primaries against party rules. The convention credentials committee voted unanimously to restore the voting privileges at the behest of Barack Obama, the party's presumptive nominee for president. The states were initially stripped of delegates for holding primaries before Feb. 5. The party's rules committee restored the delegates in May, but gave them only half votes. Democrats hope the gesture will strengthen their standing in two important battleground states while ending a contentious chapter of the nominating process. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/24/florida-michigan-granted_n_120975.html
Former Mayor Daley speechwriter's thoughts on what the Democratic Agenda should be this week. One of these really had me rolling. What a perfect description. In all honesty, I'd harp on point combining it with point two over and over and over.
I agree with the quote regarding LIEberman. It is way past time to strip him of any committee seniority based on him being a member of the Democratic Party. LIEberman is NOT a Democrat. He is supporting the GOP candidate. He is going to speak in support of McCain at the freakin' GOP convention. They should read him out of the Democratic Party and tell him to put his ego and his big mouth up John McCain's butt, if he thinks McCain is such a great candidate for President, and the Democrat, Barack Obama, pains poor, poor Joe LIEberman so damn much. Adios, Joe. I wish we could say we hardly knew ya, but sadly, we know you far too well. Impeach Bush/Cheney.
really now? Its odd you say that, but as I sit and look up at the tv screen, which is on cspan for the opening boredom of the DNC first day...I see him listed as speaking at 8:05 tonight. not that it matters a whole hell of a lot...
From the Rocky Mountain News: Law enforcement authorities have arrested two men, and several law enforcement sources say the investigation is looking into whether the men intended to harm presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. According to multiple sources, Aurora police made a routine traffic stop Sunday morning at 2:38 a.m. The Secret Service says two rifles were found in the car along with methamphetamine. Another law enforcement source says he was told at least one of the rifles was a "sniper rifle." A second source told CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass authorities told officers they are concerned they may have come upon a possible "assassination plot."... The Secret Service, ATF and the FBI are all involved in the investigation. A Secret Service spokesman says the agency is concerned by the proximity to the Democratic National Convention and the items found in the man's car. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/25/police-investigate-possible-plot-kill-obama/
(1) Since when is meth part of a viable assassination plot? and (2) Since when is anyone surprised to find a car containing both meth and guns when driving somewhere west of the Mississippi?
