At least two CODEPINK protesters were just dragged off the convention floor. This is the second night in a row that the group has smuggled people into the convention. Last night, founding members Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans used floor credentials from a delegate who disagreed with Sarah Palin's policies and hid their distinctive pink clothing under more conservative dress.

When asked earlier today if CODEPINK might try the tactic again, another of the group's founders, Gail Murphy, said "Don't be surprised."

(From Rob Margetta)

Speeches are always the highlight of conventions, but what about afterward?

Let's remember about one week ago, when Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination. The music following his speech was the inspirational music from "Remember the Titans."

Then think back to earlier tonight. Following John McCain's speech, the crowd heard inspiring music from the movie "Rudy."

Not that we're reading into anything but we thought we'd refresh your memory on what both movies are about.

"Remember the Titans": About a racially integrated team that overcame obstacles and won the Virginia state football championship.

"Rudy": About an undersized football player who overcame adversity to inspire fellow athletes and earn a spot on the University of Notre Dame football squad.

As Sen. John McCain of Arizona continues his speech tonight, we can't help but think about those swing states out there.

Yep, that includes you Coloradans, Ohioians, Pennsylvanians and a handful of other voters from states that are considered toss-ups or narrowly likely to vote for one candidate.

That includes you too Michiganders, who, according to CQ writer Greg Giroux have been mentioned more than members of any other state in speeches by Biden, Palin, Obama and McCain.

Now, of course this is an early stage, but who wouldn't want to be going after a state that boasts the nation's worst unemployment?

In a dimly light room illuminated by green spotlights, a modest gathering of about a dozen people are watching John McCain's speech. For now, it's mostly media here at the Google and Vanity Fair party at Minneapolis' Walker Art Center.

The mood is subdued, and the people watching seem slightly bored and distracted. Two Fox News reporters are discussing whether the blue background behind McCain should have been red.

The Anti-War Committee has gone through with its promise to march from the Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center. Using roadblocks made out of lines of bicycle-mounted police and officers in riot gear, security forces diverted the march from its intended path of heading straight south to the Xcel Center.

The crowd of about 1,000 was driven - still marching at a controlled pace - onto the John Ireland Boulevard overpass, where they stopped, halted by a line of horse-mounted police, backed by riot squads and, further back, snow plows. The crowd is mostly full of young-looking people - from high school to their 20s.

With Republicans in St. Paul this week, some people might forget about Minnesota's one-time presidential candidate Walter Mondale.

The former vice president under Jimmy Carter was a rock star in the world of politics nearly a quarter-century ago. Of course, he was a Democrat, but that doesn't take away the fact that he got his party's nomination in 1984. Of course, Mondale did lose that race to President Ronald Reagan in a landslide.

The sounds of whistles and officers hollering has replaced the relative calm to which people in downtown St. Paul are accustomed.

With police lining every street, one cab driver said his town had suddenly turned into a police state.

"I've been to Gaza and the West Bank, and I've never seen anything like it," he said.

A female flagged down another cab outside the Xcel Center, and the driver stopped to let her in. But an officer came running and screamed at the driver, "The next time you do that I'm taking you to jail."

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, speaking today at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, fondly recalled being invited to join the institute's loquacious namesake on a 1976 speaking tour.

Kissinger, secretary of state from 1973-1977, said he was "under some attack" when Humphrey invited him to make several joint speaking appearances in Minnesota. Humphrey, a senator and former vice president at the time, was contemplating another run for the White House. He had lost the 1968 campaign to Republican Richard M. Nixon -- who was advised on foreign policy by Kissinger.

"Occasionally, I would have him introduce me," Kissinger said, recalling Humphrey's legendary gift for gab. "If he introduced you, you never got to speak."

CODEPINK was back to protesting in the same spot, just a block from the Xcel Energy Center, where four of its members were arrested Wednesday. But, where they faced a line of police in riot gear blocking the street Wednesday, today officers in soft uniforms watched from the sidewalks, occasionally telling traffic to keep moving.

Gail Murphy, one of CODEPINK's founders, said the police and the protesters had come to a truce of sorts. During Wednesday's event, "We spoke to them as human beings," she said. "We asked them to look at us as human beings. We really tried to treat them as human beings, and I think they returned the favor."

Michigan has had prime real estate at this year's Republican Convention in St. Paul; the state's delegation is sitting just a few yards from the main podium.

But the state appears to be handing out its own perks, too. Dozens of vehicles, with Michigan license plates have been transporting convention staffers and participants throughout the Twin Cities this week.

The devil may have "went down to Georgia," but last night convention-goers got down in Minneapolis.

Charlie Daniels played his fiddle hard at the Creative Coalition and Target gala benefit Wednesday night, breaking nine bows and throwing two into the crowd. Girls clutched the frayed bows like they would a heartthrob's guitar pick.

Two-stepping and do-si-do-ing, the partiers went nuts when Charlie played his classic "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in the finale.

And when Charlie screamed out the song's signature line, it might as well have been Mick Jagger on stage.

I would be remiss not to mention that the event also had the perfect trifecta of foods: a cheese bar, a sushi display and a mashed potatoes station. Potatoes were presented in martini glasses, with an open condiment bar to dollop as much sour cream, butter, cheese and chives as your heart desired.

Being in Minnesota, it's hard to not know that "Raisin' McCain" is the official campaign for Republican presidential nominee John McCain. But is it getting traction from music listeners outside of St. Paul?

The song, written by country superstar John Rich, who is best known for his part in duo Big & Rich, already has nearly 50,000 hits on YouTube.com and can be expected to be played on airwaves throughout the country this fall.

Remember that CODEPINK protester security removed from the convention floor during Sarah Palin's address last night? It turns out there were two - and they had credentials. CODEPINK's Washington, D.C., office said they came from at least one delegate who was displeased with Palin's policies.

Police said the two women came in dressed to blend in with delegates and later shed the disguises and began yelling during Palin's speech. Security dragged both of the women, clad in bright pink, out of the auditorium. The women were not arrested, but their credentials were confiscated.

"As they were heckling on the floor, they were removed from the floor," St. Paul Police Chief John M. Harrington said.

(From CQ reporter Rob Margetta)

9:44

A CODEPINK protester made it in, and began yelling and waving a banner near the Minnesota delegation's spot on the floor. Security dragged her off, struggling.

(From CQ reporter Rob Margetta)

9:04

Before Rudolph Giuliani took the stage, members of the New York delegation craned their necks for a glimpse of Palin's 6-year-old daughter Piper.

"That little girl is the cutest thing I've ever seen!" said delegate Alana Sweeney.

(From CQ reporter Rob Margetta)

As Sen. Arlen Specter made his way across the floor tonight, he received a warm handshake from Jim McErlane, a delegate from his state. McErlane shook his head as Specter passed, marveling at the resilience of the 78-year-old, whose Hodgkin's lymphoma recently reemerged.

"He's absolutely phenomenal," McErlane said. "This guy has got guts and energy. Even when Arlen was in chemotherapy, it was a big deal for him to do at least five days a week in the squash courts."

McErlane said his law firm supplied an associate named Evan, who is 35, to play with the Senator. Specter didn't run Evan off the court, but, McErlane said, "He's still a pretty good squash player."

(From CQ reporter Rob Margetta)

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has western roots from two different states.

The first term governor and presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, and delegates from her home state are excited. Delegates from her birth town are elated.

Mary Jo Ambrosiani, a delegate from Sandpoint, says she didn't know much about the Alaska governor when she found out last week that Palin was McCain's choice for VP.  "I was tickled pink when I saw it on CNN," Ambrosiani said.

While the "Gem State" delegate is overjoyed about McCain's choice, she hopes Palin might address a local issue in Sandpoint. The city has grown drastically over the years as wealthy people buy second homes they can use during the summer and winter months.

"The problem is pushing our property taxes up," said Ambrosiani, before adding that numerous elderly people have been forced to move out of their homes.

If Lawrence O'Donnell, writer for the West Wing, had been pitched the Sarah Palin storyline, he said he would have shot it down. To write in an inexperienced, conservative female governor with a 17-year-old pregnant daughter to the script would have been too sensational. But as they say, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. "That group now," O'Donnell said. "That's classic TV casting."

The series did write in a minority presidential candidate, played by Jimmy Smits, before Barack Obama was even on the national stage. "For us, it felt more possible that it was a Latino than a black candidate," O'Donnell said.

The writer, actor and political commentator was at an event today sponsored by the Creative Coalition and Congressional Quarterly. An unlikely duo, it might seem, though a woman from Creative Coalition said her group has "a lot of fun," while CQ has "a lot of substance." To her it's a perfect match.

Michigan is once again a swing state for this year's presidential election, and the state's delegates are hoping to be noticed on national television tonight.

Most of the 100 plus honorable or regular delegates are donning hockey jerseys tonight, and they're about 10 yards from where Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is expected to speak.

"We have a woman governor and woman senator," said delegate Krista Haroutunian of Democrats Jennifer M. Granholm and Debbie Stabenow. "It is going to be positive to have [Palin] on the ticket."

The jerseys were given to delegates Sunday night, when state Attorney General Mike Cox held a reception at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub. Many delegates supporting Sen. John McCain of Arizona and his presumed running mate hope the two can bring some stability to Michigan's ailing economy.

"We have a vice presidential pick that is as far away from Washington as possible," said delegate David Haugan. "She is following some of the same path as McCain."

Chris Matthews had some company today.

A group of about 50 to 100 protesters made it into Rice Park, where the MSNBC pavilion is located. Matthews was doing a live Hardball show on the open stage, but he and his guests were competing with loud chants of "No More War" and "End the Occupation." Some of the CODEPINK protesters were leading the cheers. The crowd was peaceful, but loud.

CODEPINK held a protest at the intersection of 6th and Market Streets - just a block from the Xcel Center. It was much closer than most rallies and marches have gotten.

A woman in an evening gown with a sash that says "Miss America" was yelling, "The whole world is watching!" into a bullhorn.

A large column of police with batons blocked the way to the center. At least three of the protesters were cuffed by police and held behind a heavy, steel fence. An organizer standing on a concrete riser spoke calmly into another bullhorn, "Please be gentle. You have no cause to hurt or push. They are your sisters."

Medea Benjamin was there and at the forefront, in a pink foam crown. She called for onlookers to talk to delegates in the Xcel Center about ending the Iraq War. Several times, she told the police her group just wants a spot on the sidewalk.

"This is a free speech nation," she said.

(From CQ reporter Rob Margetta)

During the last presidential contest, the Internet phenomenon YouTube didn't even exist. Today it's arguably the most well-known site in the world and a serious forum for political discourse.

Both McCain and Obama have personal channels for campaign messages. Voters all over the country, especially those in the much sought-after 20-something demographic, get their news clips from recycled YouTube videos.

During one of the largest and classiest bashes of the convention season, a Minneapolis landmark called The Depot was home to more than 3,000 guests last night, who gathered to celebrate the agriculture industry.

Delegates, veterans and even locals not associated with the convention packed 200 boxes today with food, toiletries and entertainment for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bipartisan event, sponsored by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, aimed to highlight the "people behind the policy," Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA's founder said.

When the soldiers rip open their care package they'll find trail mix, a Clif bar, a bag of nuts, lollipops and Slim Jims. Also in the box are Chapstick, tissues, toothpaste and socks. Eric Hilleman, from Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the Q-tips come in handy when cleaning your weapons and the lotion is essential for that dry Middle East air.
 
Volunteers also could choose for their solider a movie from a pile of DVDs that included classics like "The Magnificent 7," current blockbusters like "Almost Famous" and others of less high caliber like "Joe Dirt." IAVA Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell held up "American Psycho" -- the last movie picked. Campbell had trouble wrapping his head around how Christian Bale, of "Batman" fame, could have been left behind.
 
This reporter picked for Justin, her solider, the film "Wild Things."

Earlier this afternoon near the downtown Minneapolis Crown Plaza, a group of delegates confused Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Bachmann, if you recall, spoke Tuesday night at the Republican convention, touting Palin for being a pro-family conservative like herself.

"I guess she has raised 23 foster children," one delegate said to another, about Palin "Yeah, she is very family focused, it should be interesting seeing her tonight," another answered.

Now, this mixup isn't entirely unrealistic. Both Bachmann and Palin are attractive, telegenic speakers and both have a reputation for being politically active women who also have reared several children. And they are darlings of the conservative moment.

Both have five children of their own. Bachmann has hosted a few others though. She, along with husband Marcus, have opened their home to 23 foster children over the years.

All the buzz in the Twin Cities today is about tonight's scheduled speech by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. But many conventioneers admit that just last week, when Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. gave his speech in Denver, they knew little to nothing about Palin.

An early supporter of John McCain, Rep. Fred Upton was has been part of the Arizona senator's roller-coaster campaign since the early stages. Upton says he's looking forward to the much-anticipated speech tonight by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate.

It's probably no surprise that he was less enthusiastic about watching the speakers at last week's Democratic convention. However, he did say he caught some of Barack Obama's address at Invesco Field. The key word here is that he "caught" some of it. Upton, currently the longest-serving Michigan Republican, said he was flipping his television back and forth from Obama's acceptance speech to the Chicago Cubs baseball game.

"[Third baseman Aramis] Ramirez hit a grand slam," Upton said, smiling.

Dressed in fluorescent vests, hard hats and safety glasses, lawmakers and members of the media toured the replacement span of the I-35W bridge that collapsed 13 months ago.

Led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee ranking Republican John L. Mica, the group walked over the new concrete and steel above the gurgling Mississippi River where 13 people lost their lives.

Sitting in the Hilton Minneapolis downtown, South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson appeared busier than usual Wednesday afternoon.

He won't be in the Twin Cities much longer and is scrambling to finish up a few obligations. The three-term represenative is heading back to the Palmetto State later this afternoon to help local constituents prepare for Hurricane Hanna, which might make landfall in his home state this weekend.

Not that journalists like to keep score or anything, but it's hard to not compare the media accommodations at the Democratic and Republican Conventions.

Instead of being in a glorified tent like last week in Denver, we're in the River Centre, which is adjacent to St. Paul's Xcel Center. Also, the indoor plumbing is a plus for those who were in the Mile High City and have since moved to GOP headquarters in the Twin Cities.

St. Paul locals want to remind visitors that the actual convention is taking place there and not in Minneapolis. The other town of the Twin Cities, however, does have more hotels and appears to be more bustling during the day.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee ditched his power suit for blue jeans, cowboy boots and a bass Tuesday night as his band Capitol Offense took the stage for a gig dubbed "A Little Straight Rock" at Spin Nightclub in Minneapolis.

Country singer Josh Turner, who's been compared to Johnny Cash and has a voice deep enough to make James Earl Jones blush, opened the evening's festivities. While introducing Turner, Huckabee quipped, "Here's the deal. You have to hang around for the second half of the show. It's not because we're any good, but because we're throwing the party."

Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball," says Republicans are more organized - and polite. He appeared this morning at a National Journal discussion at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis.

"When they say 'clear the aisles,' they do," he said, contrasting the Republican and Democratic conventions.

Democrats have a history of being unruly, Matthews said. "But Democrat's disorganization isn't cute any more," he said.

Ushered through downtown Minneapolis' swanky Graves Hotel, guests of GQ and Maker's Mark were dropped off on the top floor to rub shoulders with the elite. Bartenders were overly generous with the bourbon headliner. (That may explain why reporters were told everything was off the record.)

Minority Leader John Boehner visited the soiree, making his way through the crowd for about an hour. His presence created confusion for a group pondering the most polite way to address the man. Mr. Minority Leader? Mr. Leader? Congressman? (It seemed safest to stick with Mr. Boehner.)

NBC's Norah O'Donnell whisked in and out and Luke Russert, son of the late Tim Russert, also stayed only briefly. Donning a baseball cap, NBC correspondent and Democrat Harold Ford Jr. came at the end, shook a hand or two, and left.

Probably the most-greeted person in the room was former University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith, now the coach at the University of Minnesota.

Welcome to AG Night delegates: You're in the Party that affects everyone. The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council is putting on one of the biggest bashes of the convention season in downtown Minneapolis. That includes both the Democratic and Republican.

The event not only plans to entertain 3,000 to 4,000 people at the Depot, but it plans to feed them with products made by its friends. This list includes hamburgers, homemade desserts and you might as well include the beer and wine too. Those hard-working individuals in the agriculture industry work on that, too.

So relaxation is in store as real Minnesotans welcome policy makers to a real Midwest economic staple.

This is Rep. Tim Walberg's first Republican Convention as a member of Congress. The first-term representative from Michigan won't be staying long, though. After flying in early this morning, Walberg is heading back to the Great Lake State to continue his campaign for a second term. He's in a tough race with state Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer for his rural-based southern Michigan seat.

Many Republicans are planning on skipping this week's festivities or spending a few days off, including five who were in the Capitol today for their "energy protest." Walberg even made the trip back to Washington last month during the August recess to support the issue of increasing domestic energy resources, specifically a vote on oil drilling.

Dubbed "Life of the Party," this afternoon's Republican National Coalition for Life event didn't have its special guest, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. That didn't matter though. The crowd of several hundred still gave their presumed vice-presidential nominee rock star treatment in a ballroom at St. Paul's Crowne Plaza.

The two-hour event included speeches by Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and conservative radio host Laura Ingraham and a standing room only crowd that booed hecklers opposing the pro-life agenda.

How's this for worlds colliding? As the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign march - which had stayed peaceful - reached the Capitol, it was interrupted by an official-looking trio of SUVs topped with emergency lights.

The crowd rushed up and found inside ... Rage Against the Machine frontman Zak de la Rocha! The crowd surged on the trucks, but they were cheering, not jeering. De la Rocha looked as surprised as anyone to see them, before security hustled his caravan through and the vehicles drove off.

(By Rob Margetta)

What do John McCain and Abe Lincoln have in common? A fan by the name of George Engelbach, a delegate from the 3rd district of Missouri. The cattle farmer is attending the convention dressed as Lincoln, which he says has a lot in common with McCain.

"Both have been tested by fire," he said.  "And someone told me I kind of looked like Lincoln."

(By Catharine Richert)

On display at the mansion where the Big Tent Republicans are having their gala is an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. There were 200 copies of the original document distributed to the colonies to be read to the public. This copy has only the name of John Hancock without his actual "John Hancock." In 1989, a man bought an antique frame for $4 and when he brought it home he found the copy folded inside. After getting it authenticated by the Smithsonian, he sold it for $2 million.

Today's gala brought together moderate Republicans who believe in a woman's right to choose. Their message was one of unity with a party that in recent years has shifted to the right. "We're all under one tent as Americans," said retiring Rep. Jim Ramstad. "As Republicans, we have to remember that there is much more that unites us than divides us.

Also in attendance was Joe Pantoliano of "Sopranos" fame, who spoke about the stigma of mental illness. "Being diagnosed with mental illness is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. I got my life back," he said. "Oh! Hey, Rosie!" he said, as he spotted actress Rosario Dawson.

Former Massachsetts Gov. Jane Swift, in a cab ride after the event, said she had one claim to fame this week: she was the only sitting governor to become pregnant and give birth while in office ... until Sarah Palin.

Protesters clashed with police just a short time ago at the corner of Wacouta Street and 7th Street, and the situation remained tense for about 15 minutes. A rally sponsored by the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign - a group that subscribes to the nonviolent practices of Martin Luther King Jr. - at Mears Park was interrupted during one of the speeches by a disturbance at one corner of the park.

Police took into custody a woman wearing a helmet with the word "Free" written across it, and the crowd surged into them, pushing them across the street while chanting "Let her go." A squad of police, surrounded by protesters, threatened tear gas, and set up a perimeter with their batons. Reinforcements on bicycles and horses arrived.

At one point, one of the horses seemed to lose its balance, and its rear collided with a group of people on the sidewalk. At least two more people - a bald man in a pink shirt and a woman in a fedora-type hat - were dragged down and taken into custody.

As the crowd jeered at the officers, they eventually made a corridor down 7th St.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is trying to stay out of partisan politics this election season. President and CEO Tom Donohue told a roundtable of reporters today that he considers himself and his organization neither an Obama nor McCain advocate.

That being said, Donohue admitted that the Chamber "clearly supports more Republicans who have supported more reasonable tax policies." He expects the chamber to donate "north of $20 million" to a mix of both blue and red political campaigns.

One reporter asked Donohue to respond to claims by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that trade groups have not supported enough Democrats. "Don't come around and tell me you're upset that I don't agree with your agenda when it's not an agenda for the people I represent," he said. "And I'll say that right to his face."

Donahue also took a shot at another Democrat, House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel. Rangel has called his tax plans for 2009 as the "mother of all tax bills."

"I said, 'Charlie go out and show everyone that, tell everyone that. And he said, 'Why?' " Donohue related. "So, we can beat you."

Being from the same state as presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain has its perks. Arizona delegates get great seating on the convention floor and they are staying at the closest hotel to the Xcel Center. That's the St. Paul Hotel.

Parralee Schneider, a delegate from the "Grand Canyon State" says it's great being able to stay so close to convention ground zero. "We had Abraham Lincoln speak," another delegate joked, about listening to a famous impersonator who was getting noticed this week.

At the "A time to choose: Children of the Bureaucracy" event this morning at the Minneapolis Marriott, the Rev. Al Sharpton took his time at the podium to push for reform of the country's education system.

Recalling his childhood in a single-parent home in Brooklyn, Sharpton said his mother was "never so disadvantaged that she didn't make me do my homework. She raised me for what I did have...and what she expected me to be."

Instead of "an education system that confirms inferiority," Sharpton said, the country needs to push for one "that challenges."

Sharpton ran for president in 2004, but dropped out of the Democratic primary as John Kerry emerged as the party's nominee.

(By Jessica Benton Cooney)

Political and social heavyweights are everywhere this week in the Twin Cities, just like they were last week in Denver. The entertainment industry may not be quite as well represented in St. Paul, but there have been some celebrity sightings.

Country singer Lee Greenwood was at a delegate lunch today. Puerto Rican star Daddy Yankee performed Monday night. And film star Jon Voight was spotted Monday night, and again today, in the Xcel Center.

(Photo by CQ intern Mike Hamper)

For Alex Barnes of London, and Adam Grunwald of Dallas, these past two weeks have been pretty entertaining. Working for the Israel Project, the two workers traveled to Denver last week for the Democratic convention and to the Twin Cities this week for the Republican convention.

This afternoon, they were in downtown St. Paul when they stopped and talked to a man working on behalf of some social conservatives. The man, "A solidier working for the the lord and savior Jesus Christ," has been a popular attraction this week. The self-proclaimed soldier wouldn't give out his name, but is spotted driving around town in a beat-up truck.

"This is pretty standout," Barnes said after recording an interview. "You can't help but go ask him a question," Grunewald said about the activist who supports Alan Keyes over John McCain and Barack Obama.

When in Denver last week, Barnes and Grunewald decided they probably should make a personal mini-documentary of their convention experiences. Other interesting things include protesters and a stop at the bird-porn addicts information booth. (Believe me when I say it was a well-talked about venue in Denver too.)

It's just a big party for political activists coming to St. Paul this week.

From objecting to the Republican Party's platform on the Iraq War to hoping for campaign finance reform from Democrats, people have plenty of opportunities to join like-minded friends.

Today's agenda includes the Ripple Effect music festival on the Minnesota State Capitol lawn. At about 1:30, more than a thousand were in attendance for the all-day concert, which started at 12:30 and ends around 7 p.m.

Musical guests playing on the stage, which is adorned with posters reading "Beyond the Convention" and "Beyond Partisanship," include Michael Franti, WookieFoot and Matisyahu - a hasidic Jew rapper.

MSNBC Chief Washington Correspondent Norah O'Donnell was crossing the street back her station's outdoor broadcast stage just a little earlier on this dreary, cold day. Although it wasn't raining, a tall, 20-something guy escorted her, holding an umbrella over her head.

"I'm like your P. Diddy," she said to him.

I immediately thought of my mother when I walked into the Bar Fly Monday night.

It's not that I think of my mom when I'm in bar that goes by the motto "More Quaint than a Club, More Liberal than a Lounge"; it's just the atmosphere reminded me of Sunday afternoons back in our Midwestern home.

Monday's event - "Political Chicks a Go Go" - was hosted by RightNOW, Rock the Vote and Lifetime Networks. The latter is where my mother fits into my observation of last night's Republican National Convention event. Between comments from Republican presidential candidate John McCain, TV screens were filled with public service announcements from famous women, including Reba McEntire. On Sunday afternoons, my mother would routinely watch a Lifetime made-for-TV movie.

The parties last night were spread out all over the Twin Cities, which seem more like estranged siblings for how difficult it is to get from one to the other. After leaving the All Star Jam-Bayala, we headed to the Medtronic Corp. campus where a number of delegations gathered for an evening that can best be sum