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Served, With a Twist

August 31, 2008 5:03 PM

4:02 pm CT: There will be, essentially, no Republican National Convention Monday -- but one of the week’s most anticipated parties will go on, with a twist.

Per ABC’s Ann Compton, the Distilled Spirits Council, which has distributed one of the hottest tickets in the Twin Cities this week, announced Sunday that the party will go on, under a slightly different name.

"Due to the growing threat to our nation from Hurricane Gustav, the sponsors of the Spirits of Minneapolis event on Monday night have made a collective decision to change the event into the Spirits of the Gulf Coast, shifting the focus to a fundraiser for . . . the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund," organizers said in an e-mail to invitees.

"To that end, we will have a senior Red Cross representative in attendance and we will encourage everyone to make a donation to the Fund at the door. In addition, the event sponsors will make a large matching contribution and present a check at 10:30 PM."

GOP leaders have sent out the word to keep things relatively quiet this week; the image of lawmakers mingling with lobbyists over martinis while an American city floods is something everyone in St. Paul wants to avoid.

As for the Democrats, the DNC canceled the media welcoming party that was scheduled for Sunday afternoon in St. Paul.

UPDATE: The Washington lobbying firm Kearsarge Global Advisors is keeping its Sunday night party at the new W Hotel in Minneapolis on the agenda. This, according to an e-mail sent to invitees: "Also, we are donating the same amount of money spent on the reception to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund."

August 31, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Honey, I Shrunk the Convention

August 31, 2008 12:01 PM

10:50 pm MT: Rick Klein from ABC’s The Note here -- blogging all week again, this time from St. Paul.

The Republican National Convention was always going to be less of a spectacle than the Democrats’ big party last week. The GOP brand is severely damaged, so much so that Republicans in tight races were always planning to skip the week in Minnesota.

The GOP of 2008 simply doesn’t have the roster of superstars to sustain a week’s worth of speaking schedules. And nothing can match the Clinton-Obama storyline that fed the media obsession in Denver.

But now comes a hurricane to blow even the diminished plans off course. The president and vice president aren’t coming after all. Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., a rising star, can’t make the trip for obvious reasons.

Delegates from Gulf Coast states may curtail their trips. (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif., isn’t coming either -- he’s stuck in a state budget fight on the left coast.)

Sen. John McCain’s team is trying to figure out how to handle it all. Depending on how back Gustav’s damage is, McCain himself may wind up addressing the convention remotely.

The flip side: This is an awfully good year to have an atypical convention. Four days of revelry in St. Paul may have been good therapy for the delegates in time for their quadrennial party, but it would have showcased a party that it’s a bit of an identity crisis.

The convention almost certainly will go on; there are legal and financial ramifications for making the McCain-Palin ticket official at a nominating convention. But the smaller party may be just what the image doctors ordered.

August 31, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)

Obama's Challenges: Closing Thoughts -- DNC Final Night

August 28, 2008 11:53 PM

9:48 pm MT: From Rick Klein, author of ABC's The Note: Sen. Barack Obama's convention speech offered twin challenges -- one to his opponent, one to the voters he wants on his side. And to all audiences listening, he showed he is ready for a fight.

To Sen. John McCain, the message was stark: He will meet his challenges on McCain's own terms. On foreign policy, the economy, and most noticeably national security, Obama signaled a willingness to engage McCain, with a bite he hasn't shown in the past.

To the country, his challenge was trickier: Accept this non-traditional candidate and channel your hopes into him. He offered a long list of policy proposals designed to appeal to the broad middle, and offered his own biography to answer the caricature being peddled by the McCain campaign.

"I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine," Obama said.

This was not Obama's best speech, but neither was it supposed to be. Four years ago, he was introducing himself and sparked a movement; now, as he showed Thursday night, he's trying to win an election.

His choice of tactics risks tarnishing an image; one Republican official monitoring the speech said he spent nearly 20 of his 44 minutes speaking on the attack.

But perhaps that's the point: To Democrats who are sick of losing elections, there are worse things than rallying behind a fighter. And to a country that wants a change in direction, Obama offered himself up as -- yes -- a hope.

Check back tomorrow for more in tomorrow's Note.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (24) | TrackBack (0)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

August 28, 2008 8:49 PM

6:50 pm MT: No, not Aretha. But how many speakers--like Al Gore just now--have gone out of their way this week to say they respect John McCain, shortly before bashing him? How many Republicans do you think will say the same about Barack Obama next week?

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Hollywood in the Rockies

August 28, 2008 8:46 PM

6:40 pm MT: We've had a procession of interesting celebs come through our booth on ABC NewsNOW this week -- including will.i.am, Melissa Etheridge, and tonight, John Legend. Celebrities often get a bad reputation when they try to jump into the political world, and often they deserve it.

But let me offer a humble opinion about at least these three: These are serious, earnest people trying to make a difference. There are worse things you can do with celebrity than that.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

How's Obama Feeling Tonight?

August 28, 2008 8:21 PM

Per ABC News' Karen Travers: Sen. Barack Obama's brother-in-law Craig Robinson told ESPN's Andy Katz that he was just with Sen. Obama and he described him as being, "incredibly relaxed, loose and joking around."

Robinson, the head basketball coach at Oregon State, told Katz that Obama said he was more concerned about his family's well-being tonight, and how they were holding up, and that he is ready for tonight.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

The Oprah Effect

August 28, 2008 7:48 PM

5:36pm MDT: Per ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman...Oprah!

You've never seen a pack of journalists get so excited as when Oprah Winfrey and her best friend Gayle King stopped by the ABC News workspace -- located deep in the bowels of Mile High Stadium -- to say hello to Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts and ABC News President David Westin.

The rumors are true -- Oprah's here!

(Photo courtesy of unofficial ABC News paparazzi and Green Room Girl Courtney Cohen)

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

On the Mountaintop

August 28, 2008 7:09 PM

5:05 pm MT: Watching the tribute to Dr. King, I'm struck first of all by how remarkable this coincidence is, to have the first black man nominated for president deliver his acceptance speech 45 years to the day after King declared, "I have a dream."

And here in the mile-high city, this also offers an opportunity to Democrats to continue their outreach to religious voters. The King imagery can't hurt.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

More on the Hottest Ticket in Town

August 28, 2008 5:32 PM

3:31 MT: A little more on ticketing for entry here at Mile High Stadium from ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman.

Those interested in tickets signed up on August 6 and were notified a week and a half later whether their efforts were successful. About two-thirds of the tickets were reserved for attendees from Western battleground states.

One early arrival on the delegate floor said she snuck in at 10am with the volunteer hordes to make sure she got a got a good seat. Her hard ticket, which displays a hologram of the American flag and Obama's profile when held at different angles, assigns holders to a section, but not a specific seat. She got no response, she said, when she followed the Obama campaign's system to sign up for tickets online. Instead, she got her ticket by volunteering for a local Denver campaign office.

And as for those planning to scalp the hottest tickets in town, word on the street is that organizers are discontinuing the barcodes of any ticket images posted online.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Good Sport

August 28, 2008 4:59 PM

2:55 pm MT: Word that Sen. John McCain planned an ad for this evening rippled through Democratic circles this afternoon. It’s unheard of to try to step on your opponent’s message on his big night like that.

But what he’s saying is probably going to silence any critics:

McCAIN: “Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America. Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed. So I wanted to stop and say, congratulations. How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight Senator, job well done.”

Today is the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington -- and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

A savvy move from a candidate who voted against making King’s birthday a national holiday. And a classy move from a candidate whose own week in the spotlight is about to begin.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

What Else the Crowd Size Means

August 28, 2008 4:37 PM

2:24 pm MT: Tonight’s crowd of nearly 80,000 people is more than about a backdrop. The Obama campaign is turning it into the largest activist training session in history.

About 4 pm MT, before the program begins in earnest, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe will take the stage. He’ll give a five-minute pep talk/organizing tutorial to the crowd. A local campaign volunteer coordinator will get his own five minutes, an Obama campaign official said.

Tonight, Section 129 of Invesco Field -- plus a section of the concourse -- will be transformed into a phone bank. Attendees are being encouraged to drop by as part of their evenings.

Roughly two-thirds of tonight's tickets were distributed to residents of Western states. The Obama campaign estimates that between 35,000 and 40,000 residents of Colorado alone will be here tonight.

To give you a sense of what that volunteer army could mean, George W. Bush carried Colorado (nine electoral votes) by just under 100,000 votes in 2004.

Republicans are already pouncing on the size of this event, just like they did Obama's massive rally in Berlin. But Obama campaign officials are happy about what they call the "enthusiasm gap."

"We have no regrets about" moving the convention from the more intimate Pepsi Center to massive Invesco, a senior campaign adviser told ABC. "They can’t fill the place. We're happy that we can."

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Toga, Toga, Toga

August 28, 2008 3:28 PM

1:25 pm MT: The games have begun: The Republican National Committee is alerting reporters to the fact that a "large group" of young people are headed to a downtown Denver hotel dressed in togas -- calling attention to the "Temple of Obama" at Invesco Field.

Probably an irresistible image to include in today's coverage.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (63) | TrackBack (0)

Perfect Day in Denver

August 28, 2008 2:43 PM

12:30 pm MT: I got to Invesco Field at Mile High a little while ago -- and in a word, wow.

It's hard to comprehend what the moment tonight will look like. For starters, the columns don't look as ridiculous as I thought they would. Something did need to be a backdrop, and they're going to fill in "real people" around the fake columns.

Then realize that this is an NFL football stadium. Every seat will be filled. One of those cameras that give you a great glimpse of a running play is placed above the field, on a series of wires.

It's a clear, cool-ish day in Denver -- no chance of rain. It will be just past sunset in the mountains when Barack Obama comes out to speak.

Stevie Wonder just did a sound check and played a bit of a few songs. So did Sheryl Crow, Will I Am and John Legend. Al Gore checked out the stage and gave a wave.

So much will depend on what Obama says, not what he looks like when he says is. (But when's the last bad speech you remember him giving?)

The McCain campaign will surely be watching for moments it can parody. It may even find a few.

But this event tonight -- even aside from the organizing opportunities it represents -- is likely to look and feel like nothing we've ever seen before in American politics.

August 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (58) | TrackBack (0)

Biden Makes the Case -- Night Three, Closing Thoughts

August 27, 2008 11:27 PM

It was, in the words of one adviser, a "prosecutor's case," and tonight Joe Biden showed why he was tapped for the ticket.

He made the case for Barack Obama arguably more effectively than Obama does himself. He also made the case against John McCain, surely more effectively than Obama himself.

And when you toss in Bill Clinton's speech, and the well-choreographed roll call, complete with its magical moment of Hillary Clinton asking for the acclamation vote, what have is a rollicking third night of what's been a remarkably well-organized convention.

After the first night, in particular, this was no sure deal. This had the makings of a rough week, with the early critique about the lack of message coming dangerously close to taking hold.

But the Obama team kept with its plan and has pulled off three nights that have begun to shape Obama, and the race, basically just like they want him shaped.

And oh -- by the way -- unity is in the air. 

And so, the pressure is on for tomorrow night.   This convention either ends on a bang if he delivers a well received speech, or it is a huge missed opportunity. Biden and both Clintons have set the table for Obama. Now it is all up to him. 

That's all for tonight -- be back tomorrow, and check back tomorrow morning, as always, for The Note.

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (262) | TrackBack (0)

Biden's Bio

August 27, 2008 10:27 PM

8:26 pm MT: . . . is undeniably powerful. It's this sort of thing that makes smart Republicans think that Tim Pawlenty should have the upper hand on Mitt Romney.

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

Bill Brings It

August 27, 2008 9:35 PM

7:25 pm MT: All the right words from President Clinton tonight. He may or may not be over his wife's defeat, but he showed again that he can bring it when it counts.

Essentially, Bill Clinton finished Hillary Clinton's speech tonight: This was endorsement, plus validation (the part Hillary didn't offer up on Tuesday).

And he answered the question he didn't when ABC's Kate Snow asked him it during his recent Africa  trip:

"Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Barack Obama is  ready to take the oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack  Obama is ready to be President of the United States," he said.

That's your soundbite. As is typical, he went way over his alotted 10 minutes. But somehow I think  the Obama campaign didn't mind too much.

An unscripted moment: "Yes he can, but first we have to elect him."

And a clue to how Bill is coming to terms with this -- notice how he sees Obama as a successor to his legacy:

"Together, we prevailed in a campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief," the former president said. "Sound familiar? It didn’t work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history.  And it won’t work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history." 

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (46) | TrackBack (0)

"Kindly Old Doc McCain"

August 27, 2008 8:19 PM

6:19 pm MT: That quote is from the speech of Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader. Age card, anyone?

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Schumer Votes Obama

August 27, 2008 5:46 PM

3:45 pm MT: For those looking for early signs about how many delegates will still vote Clinton on the first ballot, ABC's Steven Portnoy reports that Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., one of Sen. Clinton's strongest supporters, just signed his ballot as a superdelegate for Obama.

3:56 pm MT: And all 47 Arkansas delegates go Obama. Clearly a big symbolic statement. Almost as big a symbol as California passing in the count.

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (29) | TrackBack (0)

Greek Tragedy?

August 27, 2008 4:10 PM

1:50 pm MT: From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: So all the buzz today was supposed to be about two big Wednesday speeches -- Bill Clinton’s and Joe Biden.

Why, then, is everyone in Denver talking about stagecraft?

It’s simple: Reporters got their first glimpse of the stage where Barack Obama will deliver his speech tomorrow night at Invesco Field. Reuters described the set as similar to a "Greek temple."

Thus a legend -- not the good kind -- was born.

Said one Democrat: "This is a disaster of mythical proportions." Said another: "It's not enough that he wants to be president -- he wants to be Zeus." Said the first: "Will he send down thunderbolts from the mountain?"

Those are the Democrats -- though assuredly not Obama partisans. Cue the Republicans: The RNC blasted around an e-mail referring to the "Temple of Obama."

"Tomorrow you're going to see Obama come down from Olympus to be among us mere mortals," Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, told reporters in Denver.

Senior Obama advisers dismiss the comparisons. There will be columns, they say, but it won’t look like a Greek temple -- or even the White House portico.

"It looks like any state capitol," one adviser tells ABC News. "It's a bunch of columns."

For the candidate who brought you his very own faux-presidential seal, this is not a good perception. Obama aides insist that the set is staying, and that it won't look as bad as it sounds right now; the real backdrop, they say, will be his supporters.

It raises anew the larger issue: After Berlin, and the "Celebrity" ads, does Obama want to accept the nomination in front of a screaming crowd of 75,000 people?

Obama folks, who see the evening as an organizing tool, say yes. There’s a real enthusiasm gap here that the Obama folks want to exploit

But I wonder: If this was being put together post-"Celebrity" -- had it not been in the works for months -- would the campaign have had such a problem with accepting the nomination inside the Pepsi Center -- just like people normally do?

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (75) | TrackBack (0)

Hillary's Homerun

August 26, 2008 11:18 PM

My quick thought is that she nailed it tonight. Given all the drama, all the expectations, we can quibble about how much of the speech was about her, not about Obama. But she made a rational, coherent argument for her supporters to throw their considerable energy behind Barack Obama. Not all of them will, of course. But if tonight's speech is an indication of what's to come, you won't be able to blame Hillary Clinton for that.

We'll be back tomorrow -- and, as always, check out The Note tomorrow morning.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (210) | TrackBack (0)

Hillary

August 26, 2008 10:52 PM

8:52 pm MT: There's your unity: Says Senator Clinton, by way of introducing herself, "A proud supporter of Barack Obama." "The time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."

Phenomenal theater.

Here's a tagline: "No way. No how. No McCain."

The tall blue signs around the arena -- half of them say "Obama" on one side, half say "Hillary" on the other. All of them say "Unity" on the reverse.

ABC's Kate Snow reports that delegates were told to wait until the end of the speech to hold them up, but many can't wait.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (67) | TrackBack (0)

Hillary: The Sign

August 26, 2008 10:38 PM

8:37 pm MT: The signs going out around the convention hall: "Hillary," in her own script. The Website at the bottom is Clinton's.

By contrast: At the bottom of the "Kennedy" signs that went out yesterday, the Website call-out was for the Obama campaign.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Sign of a New Tone?

August 26, 2008 10:25 PM

8:25 pm MT: Now on the convention floor: "McCain More of the Same."

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

The Keynote

August 26, 2008 10:11 PM

7:50 pm MT: Rick Klein from ABC's The Note reports: If a keynoter sets the tone for a convention (no surety), what does it mean that Mark Warner's speech contained exactly two mentions of the words "John McCain."

Specifically: One mention of "George Bush and John McCain's America," and then: "John McCain promises more of the same. . . . That's four more years that we can't just afford."

This was, dare I use the words, a hopeful speech. "This race is all about the future, and that's why we must elect Barack Obama president," Warner said.

Looks like it will be up to Hillary to provide the red meat. Maybe this is how the Clinton people always wanted it . . .

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Casey at the Bat

August 26, 2008 9:37 PM

7:25 pm MT: ABC's Rick Klein, author of The Note, reports: Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., might be the most controversial choice for a featured speaking spot at this convention. Why? His dad was famously denied a spot at the podium at the 1992 convention, because Gov. Bob Casey Sr. said, he opposed abortion rights.

Well, so does Casey Jr. And this is how he addressed it tonight:

“Barack Obama and I have an honest disagreement on the issue of abortion,” Casey said. “But the fact that I’m speaking here tonight is testament to Barack’s ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him.”

Abortion-rights groups are less than pleased with his appearance. But this has got to be good for a Democratic Party that's always trying to rebrand itself -- quite literally, it's not your father's party, if your father is the late Bob Casey Sr.

And, by the way, Casey did bring it tonight: He got the crowd going almost as much as Dennis Kucinich did.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Terry Mac: I Hope Obama's a Fighter

August 26, 2008 8:42 PM

6:35 pm MT: On ABC NewsNOW, Sam Donaldson and I just interviewed former Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe about the convention and Sen. Hillary Clinton's speech -- and he's promising a feisty address tonight that brings Sen. John McCain's name into the mix several times.

And -- echoing the Carville Critique -- he said three times that convention speakers should be attacking McCain's record "every night."

"I think every night we should be doing this," he said, calling it a "vicious, tough race."

Asked if Obama can "float above" the attacks and leave the dirty work to his running mate and surrogates, McAuliffe said no.

"I hope he doesn't feel he's that kind of person because the Republicans will have no illusions about using his name and distorting his reputation every single day," he said. "And I think John Kerry learned a very valuable point in 2004: the public is smart; if you don't defend yourself, you sure as heck aren't going to defend them. And they're going to come at him hard so we all need to be doing it. You gotta defend yourself."

He said negotations are continuing between the Obama and Clinton camps regarding the logistics of Wednesday's roll call but stressed that the Obama team is control of the details -- and said both Clintons are fully on board for him.

"Her speech, Bill Clinton's speech tomorrow - boom - we're there," he said.

Asked about the possibility of Clinton serving in the Cabinet, McAuliffe added: "Never. Won't Happen. She loves the Senate." But he said another White House run for Clinton was always possible -- after, he said, Obama' serves two terms, and assuming Vice President Biden doesn't want to run in 2016.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Hillary's Die-Hards

August 26, 2008 8:18 PM

ABC's Steven Portnoy reports from the convention floor: With minutes to spare before a 6pm MT deadline, a handful of frantic Hillary Clinton delegates scrambled to compile as many delegate signatures as they could muster to for a full roll call vote -- consisting of all 50 states, not the truncated roll call being planned.

Led by delegates from Texas and Tennessee, the small team says it needed the signatures from 800 delegates to force a full, drawn-out vote.

At 5:51pm MT, a Texas delegate said he had turned in 18 full pages of signatures from a variety of states.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)

Hillary's Whip Team

August 26, 2008 7:48 PM

5:46 pm MT: ABC's Kate Snow reports that Sen. Clinton's 40-strong "whip team" -- in place to keep distracting demonstrations to a minimum -- have a special charge tonight. Their plan: Hand out "Hillary" signs for the beginning of Clinton's speech, and they're expecting lots of yelling as the speech begins. But later, they'll hand out "unity" signs and encourage everyone in the hall to wave them.

Plus, Sen. Clinton is meeting with as many delegates as she can gather tomorrow morning, before the roll-call vote.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Rendell, Plugged In

August 26, 2008 7:35 PM

5:33 pm MT: Fast Eddie has been slowed. Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., is throwing out the red meat -- but is distinctly on message, praising Obama as a "friend of Pennsylvania," and blasting McCain on the econony and the environment. Yes, the same guy who helped his friend Hillary Clinton blow Obama away in the Pennsylvania primary.

Thank goodness for Dennis Kucinich. His bouncy, "wake up America!" speech has been the only thing that's even close to off-message so far in this convention -- and, I might add, only Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama have gotten bigger ovations.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Tonight's ABCNewsNOW Coverage

August 26, 2008 4:56 PM

We're back live tonight on ABCNewsNOW -- me and Sam Donaldson, gavel-to-gavel, all the way to 11 pm ET. Look for the link to ABCNews.com streaming convention coverage HERE.

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Chelsea Evening

August 26, 2008 3:17 PM

Finally, the world gets to hear Chelsea Clinton's voice.

ABC's Kate Snow is reporting that Chelsea Clinton, the 28-year-old only child of the New York Senator and former President, will introduce her mother tonight, according to a Clinton source.

The former First Daughter has been famously shielded from the press, beginning with her childhood years in the White House and continuing through her 20s as she campaigned for her mother in this year's bruising primary battle but never spoke on the record to reporters.  She appeared at several town meetings, taking questions from voters, including one who famously asked her about her father's relationship with Monica Lewinsky. But the next generation Clinton has largely avoided political speaking engagements.

Save for a few short sound bites, Chelsea's voice has been unheard by most Americans.

First, we were told that Chelsea Clinton would narrate a short biographical video on her mother, before New York Senator steps out on stage for her speech.

And then we were told an unnamed mystery guest would introduce Sen. Clinton.

And finally, Chelsea was spotted with her mother on the convention stage this afternoon, during the walk-throughs where speakers get acclimated with the surroundings.

Chelsea Clinton's appearance would be the second surprise, unscheduled guest on the Democrats' convention agenda, starting with Ted Kennedy last night. Who might the Dems spring on us tomorow?

August 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (87) | TrackBack (0)

A Strong Opening . . .

August 25, 2008 11:06 PM

On a strict pass-fail basis, clearly a pass. The Kennedy moment was well done and not overdone. Michelle gave a really nice speech, full of bio, a reintroduction that worked on a few different levels. I'd quibble with the early prime-time speakers, but that's minor.

Obama folks can sleep well -- even if Obama seemed to forget he was in Kansas City -- not, as he said, in St. Louis.

Let's do it again tomorrow, shall we.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Michelle Cracks Frost Ceiling

August 25, 2008 10:48 PM

Michelle Obama gives a Hillary shout-out -- uses her line about "those 18 million crcks in the glass ceiling."

She's closing out a disciplined first night. Given the circumstances (and Kennedy's appearance had a lot to do with this) the Obama folks have to be happy so far.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (31) | TrackBack (0)

Michelle Signs

August 25, 2008 10:28 PM

8:28 pm MT:

. . . will offend precisely no one. "MICHELLE," they read.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

Not THE Jim Leach

August 25, 2008 10:06 PM

8:04 pm MT: Quite clearly the Obama campaign wanted to lead off the prime-time hour with a Republican -- you know the message, not red and blue but United States, etc.

But Jim Leach? A good guy, but who outside of Iowa ever heard of this defeated former Republican congressman? He's no Joe Lieberman. He's no Colin Powell, either.

I'm not entirely sure this should be the first glimpse most of the nation is getting of Obama's convention.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Kennedy Shows -- And Nails It

August 25, 2008 10:02 PM

7:50 MT: As we told you he planned to yesterday, Sen. Ted Kennedy shows up -- and speaks.

Surely the emotional high point of the evening -- a magical moment for the ages. Lots of words in there that make Democratic hearts go a-twitter: "the torch will be passed again," and, of course, "the dream lives on."

All in all -- I really think the Obama campaign handled this close to perfectly. It wasn't drawn out, it wasn't over the top, it wasn't a tear-jerker. Pitch perfect.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

The Full Camelot

August 25, 2008 9:19 PM

7:15 pm MT: Caroline Kennedy: "Once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them most." An explicit linking of the JFK legacy, through his only surviving child, and his surviving brother.

Say what you will about the Kennedys -- and it's all been said before -- but they occupy a special place in American political lore. I've heard a lot of concern about Michelle Obama being overshadowed tonight by the Kennedy Mania -- and that is probably happening. But this is overshadowing he'll take.

"I have never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them, but I do now," Caroline said. (Yes, Clinton watchers, that includes you-know-who.)

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

Kennedy Signs . . .

August 25, 2008 9:08 PM

7:03 pm MT

. . . now being distributed on the convention floor. Very simple, white lettering against a blue background: "KENNEDY."

This is going to be a magical moment.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

Jesse Jr. -- But Where's Sr.?

August 25, 2008 9:07 PM

6:47 pm MT: A svelte Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., was given a prime spot tonight -- and is giving a really nice speech, probably the best of the night so far. This is getting the crowd going like nothing else we've seen.

But where's Jesse Sr.? Not speaking this week, for the first time in more than 20 years' worth of Democratic conventions. One open mic took care of that.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Springsteen Talk Knocked Down

August 25, 2008 8:54 PM

Perhaps it was just wishful thinking. But despite the rumors that have been flying through Denver, and floated today in the Rocky Mountain News, a source close to Bruce Springsteen says tonight that it's not happening.

"There will not be any performance or attendance," the source close to the Springsteen camp insists, adding that the singer/songwriter/rock 'n roll legend never had any plans to participate in the Democrats' gathering.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Biden in the House

August 25, 2008 8:45 PM

6:44 pm MT: Currently taking away from Jesse Jackson Jr.'s speech is Sen. Joe Biden -- mingling inside the Massachusetts delegation area -- which is only feet away from our broadcast booth.

He's being greeted as a rock star, of course.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

A Family Affair

August 25, 2008 8:40 PM

6:40 pm MT: Maya Soetoro-Ng, Barack Obama's half-sister, is the first family member tasked with fleshing out the Obama personal side. Barack as big brother -- Soetoro-Ng is a fascinating woman in her own right.

But tonight will belong to Michelle.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Pelosi as Bridge to Clinton Supporters?

August 25, 2008 8:16 PM

6:15 pm MT: We've been live at ABCNews.com/politics, with Sam Donaldson for gavel-to-gavel coverage.

Here comes the first major speaker: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It's a big night for her too -- and her appearance is important to the Obama folks. Here is the most powerful woman in the country. One of her audiences has to be the folks in the hall who wanted to make one woman even more powerful.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)

Star Tracks in Denver

August 25, 2008 6:43 PM

415 MDT: ABCNews' Nitya Venkataraman heads our celebrity-spotting detail.

Spotted on the delegate floor, wearing a flourescent yellow vest, Kal Penn of "Harold and Kumar" fame, volunteering for the Obama campaign.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

ABCNews.com Gavel-to-Gavel Coverage

August 25, 2008 4:50 PM

2:50 pm MT: We're about 10 minutes from the opening gavel here in Denver -- and I'm in my spot, alongside Sam Donaldson, in the ABC NewsNOW skybox. The hall is maybe a quarter full -- most delegates, in truth, don't sit through anywhere near all of it. But we'll be here for all of it.

Watch us HERE starting at 3 pm MT, 5 pm ET. Our first guest: Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley.

And if you're interested in a look at the lighter side of what's going on inside and outside the convention hall, check out the World News Webcast piece I put together with ABC's excellent Jennifer Parker.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Springsteen, Bon Jovi to Join Obama Thursday?

August 25, 2008 2:02 PM

From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: It's his life, and he's born to run. And it doesn't get much bigger than this.

The Rocky Mountain News is the latest to report confirmation of a rampant rumor in Denver: That Bruce Springsteen is planning a brief acoustic set Thursday night from Invesco Field, from the same stage that Sen. Barack Obama will receive the nomination.

That would make it a big Jersey night: Jon Bon Jovi is also slated to perform that night.

Surely "The Rising" needs to be on Springsteen's play list -- it gets played at just about every Obama campaign event these days. A fellow Bruce fan suggests adding "Long Walk Home" and "The Promised Land." Maybe "Land of Hope and Dreams"?

As for Bon Jovi -- let's guess that "Livin' On a Prayer" isn't the right note to hit.

Thoughts? Do rock stars matter? Of course, there are rock stars, and then there's The Boss. . . .

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (46) | TrackBack (0)

GOP Targets Clinton-Obama Rift

August 25, 2008 1:12 PM

From ABC's Rick Klein, author of The Note: It must be a fun time to be a Republican in Denver this week.

There’s that swanky war room set up down the street from the Pepsi Center. There’s the fun slogan: "Not Ready '08: A Mile High, an Inch Deep." There's knowing that you’re dining out on Democratic dollars this week.

And no one is having more fun playing with (and maybe overplaying) the Clinton-Obama drama than GOPers. The Republican National Committee on Monday is hosting a "Happy Hour for Hillary," only too pleased to capitalize on lingering tensions between the two camps.

Now comes this ad, from the RNC's independent expenditure arm, set to run in Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin through the weekend:

ANNOUNCER: “Who has the experience to govern our nation?”

Sen. Clinton: “Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign. I will bring a lifetime of experience. And Senator Obama will bring a speech he gave in 2002.”

ANNNOUNCER: “Barack Obama. He gives a great speech. But Americans must ask ourselves: should we elect the most inexperienced presidential candidate of our times? Or was she right? The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.”

Technically, because this is placed by the RNC’s independent expenditure arm (it’s a loophole in campaign-finance law both parties exploit), this ad couldn’t be designed or placed in coordination with the RNC itself, or the McCain campaign.

Not that it takes that much imagination to use Clinton’s words against Obama . . .

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (47) | TrackBack (0)

Kennedy Will Attend Convention

August 25, 2008 10:32 AM

From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: After much speculation, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., has arrived in Denver for the Democratic National Convention.

"Senator Kennedy is in Denver and plans to attend tonight’s tribute to him." said Kennedy spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter told ABC News on Monday. "He’s truly humbled by the outpouring of support, and wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world."    

Cutter said Senator Kennedy plans to attend the convention but she insists that as of now, he has no plans to deliver a speech. But will the Lion of the Senate be able to resist?

A video tribute to Kennedy, D-Mass., is slated for Monday evening to kick off festivities in Denver. Directed by documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Mark Herzog, the video will be introduced by Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy. As reported Sunday, the senior Senator from Massachusetts very much wanted to attend the Democratic festivities, but needed sign off from his doctors.

I'll be blogging all week from Denver -- and next week from St. Paul. Check back here for more entries.

August 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)

Kennedy Hoping to Attend Convention

August 24, 2008 6:01 PM

From ABC News' Rick Klein, author of The Note: The biggest question that has convention delegates buzzing in Denver on Sunday: Will Sen. Ted Kennedy appear in person Monday night?

The answer to that question, a Kennedy friend tells ABC News, is yes -- assuming he gets final clearance from his doctors before flying to Denver and appearing at the Pepsi Center.

"The plan is for him to fly in Sunday night," said the friend, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A video tribute to Kennedy, D-Mass., is slated for Monday evening, the first night of the Democratic National Convention. Directed by documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Mark Herzog, the video will be introduced by Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy.

Assuming the senator is able to make the trip, expect a thunderous reception when he takes the stage at the conclusion of the video. It's likely to be the emotional high point of the evening -- if not of the entire convention -- if it's able to come together, given the Kennedy family's long association with the Democratic Party, and Kennedy's early endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama.

Obama campaign aides and convention organizers have said that the decision rests with Kennedy himself, and that they have always considered his attendance unlikely. Kennedy has returned to work in the Senate only once since suffering a seizure in May, and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for a malignant brain tumor.

Kennedy associates have long said an in-person appearance would be a last-minute decision, depending entirely on the senator's health. Kennedy's son, Patrick, stoked speculation Sunday that a visit to Denver remains a distinct possibility.

"If anything, it'd be an 11th-hour call," Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., told the Associated Press. "If he's up to it in the 11th hour and can get the green light from doctors, he might be able to pull it off."

An aide to Sen. Kennedy cautioned that the situation is fluid and "day-by-day," and that an appearance at the convention should still be considered unlikely, given the senator's health.

I'll be blogging all week from Denver -- and next week from St. Paul. Check back here for more entries.

August 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (258) | TrackBack (0)