It’s a strange day when you are at a panel for the Republican National Convention where the subject is about National Defense and the U.S. approach to global trade, and a high-ranking Democrat shows up to explain how the next Republican administration will likely handle such matters. Though the panel at The University of Minnesota’s  [...]

While most people would have you believe that Barack Obama has a lock on the youth vote, there’s a pretty large group of people who might tell you otherwise: The Young Republicans. I had arrived at the RNC without a credential but hoping that I might go to actual Republican events, (and not ironically). I [...]

To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, “Somebody stole my shoes, so I’ll amputate my legs.”
Palin: wrong woman, wrong message - Los Angeles Times

I once read that Arnold Schwarzenegger said he picked the Republican party over the Democratic party because they are winners. This was one of those nights when you were reminded why they often win. After a non-start to the Republican National Convention on Monday, and last night’s sometimes effective, but mostly lukewarm speeches from the [...]

Tricia Romano has yet to find Bigfoot, alien life, or The Lochness Monster, but she did speak with a gay Republican.

The Annenberg School has been all over both conventions, teaming up with Politico to host a few panel discussions. We caught the tail end of one at the Minnesota Public Radio building in downtown St. Paul. The panel’s title was “Bridging the Political Divide in the 2008 Election. Professor, Dean Emeritus, Geoffrey Cowan welcomed the [...]

I arrived late Monday night, which meant I missed that day’s non-festivities. Just as well.
Today started out muggy and hot and soon turned gray and limpid, with drizzly rain and gusts of wind dotting downtown St. Paul. If it weren’t for the clusters of National Guard and police on corners surrounding the Xcel Center, [...]

Much has been made of the likeness of Obama to JFK. Watch for yourself.

Gallup Daily: Obama Moves Ahead, 48% to 42%

Our P+P team is inside Invesco Field.
They are sending text messages and emails and updates.
Here’s a sampling:
Chris Nelson, 5:10:
Coachella, Lollapalooza.. anything you’ve been to where humans do their best cattle impersonation does not compare to the sight of the line to get in right now.
Brooke-Sidney Gavins, 5:16 p.m.:
Observation:
Udall likes the Bill Clinton thumbs up.
Kaine speaking [...]

Our fearless reporting team has an update:
Max writes in:
“We made it thru security. Only diff from airport is you can being water if you take a sip and carry w u thru metal detector.”
Almost there!

Then a few minutes later, Brooke-Sidney texts us this:

The P+P crew gives a Cribs-style walk-through of their sick DNC digs.

Like many other people, our fearless reporters, Brooke-Sidney, Max Zimbert, and Torey Van Oot are waiting in line at Invesco Field. We just got a text from Max that said:

We arrived in line at  1:10. It’s about a 1.5 to two-mile long line. About 15 minutes later, we merge with another line near Seventh and [...]