VP choice expected this week

The media is reporting that Barack Obama will announce his choice for vice presidential running mate at the end of this week possibly as early as Wednesday. However, the media got it wrong when they thought the candidates would announce before the start of the Olympics.

This time though there are reports that Obama staffers at the Chicago headquarters have been hastily preparing to transition in the Obama's pick.

Speculation, of course, is running wild with most commentators placing their bets on Joe Biden, Evan Bayh, Bill Richardson or Kathleen Sebelius. I still think that Hillary is a slight favorite, but her husband Bill might have hurt her chances. Barack's weakness has been with the more strident Hillary supporters. By choosing her, it's hard to imagine they could still oppose the Illinois senator.

Most people think that John McCain will wait until after the Democratic Convention to announce his choice in an attempt to upstage any "bounce" that Barack might gain from all the attention.

Gov. Mark Warner to deliver Convention Keynote Address

Some possible insight today in the choice of former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to deliver the keynote address on Aug. 26 at the Democratic Convention in Denver.

Virginia is one of the main battleground states, where both candidates have been battling in the polls. There are about 11 other states that are viewed as "toss-ups" at the current time.

Here is the campaign statement released today.

MARK WARNER TO DELIVER CONVENTION KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY, AUG. 26th

CHICAGO - The Obama for America campaign announced today that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic Convention on Tuesday, August 26th, the second night of the Convention.

An innovative businessman known for his ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, campaign officials said that Warner's vision for Virginia and his leadership style echoed the Convention's theme of Americans coming together for change.

"Barack Obama believes you can't have a strong economy when you have a weak middle class," said Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe. "Millions of Americans are struggling to get by, forced to make impossible choices about their future and the future of their families. Tuesday's Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Obama's concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity. As Governor of Virginia, Warner used his experience in business to help deliver jobs and hope to the citizens of Virginia. His work creating jobs in Southwest and Southside Virginia is a model for the rest of the Country. Like Barack Obama, Mark Warner is not afraid to challenge the status quo to bring people together and get things moving. It's that kind of spirit and innovation that resulted in his selection as keynote speaker on a night when we will be discussing how to renew America's promise."

Warner, a candidate for the United States Senate in Virginia, will speak on Tuesday night of the Democratic Convention. The theme of Tuesday's night program at the Convention is Renewing America's Promise.

Michelle Obama Backstage with Barack

Michelle Obama sent out this email to campaign supporters today.

Amanda --

Barack likes to tell a story about the two of us standing backstage before his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.

The way he tells it, he was too busy in the days before the convention to feel any pressure -- but about an hour before the speech, I could tell he was getting a little nervous.

To break the tension, right before he went out on stage I leaned in close and said, "Just don't screw it up, buddy."

We laughed. And then Barack brought the house down.

This year, the house is going to be a lot bigger. More than 75,000 people will be in Denver to be part of this important moment, and I want to tell you about an opportunity to join Barack backstage before his acceptance speech.

Ten supporters who make a donation in any amount by midnight this Thursday, July 31st, will be selected to fly to Denver, spend a couple of nights in a hotel, participate in the convention, and go Backstage with Barack. Each supporter who is selected will also get to bring a guest along to share the experience.

Make a contribution today and you could have your own Backstage with Barack story to tell:

https://donate.barackobama.com/backstage

Barack's speech at the convention will be a culmination of the unlikely journey that has brought all of us so far over the past 17 months.

He will call on us to come together and work for change -- not just to win this election, but to make things better for all Americans.

Seeing it in person will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm excited about being there, and if you make a donation before the deadline, you could join Barack backstage:

https://donate.barackobama.com/backstage

Thanks for everything you've done to get us here.

Michelle

Michelle Obama speaking at a Women for Obama lunch reception in Chicago, IL, yesterday, about the Obama campaign's Blueprint for America's Working Women and Families.

Shaping the Democratic Party's Platform

Barack Obama sent out the following message announcing an open platform for the Democratic Party.

There have been plenty of rumblings recently over Barack's supposed drift toward the "center." This perception may have been exacerbated by the fact that the Illinois senator is campaigning a lot in red states with a message obviously crafted for those states.

The new Democratic Party platform will be formulated after receiving input from Platform Meetings that will take place across the country for two weeks in July.

This will allow Obama supporters to sound off about which direction they think the party and their candidate should take.

Paul--

Every four years, the Democratic Party assembles a platform that outlines the party's position on a number of issues. Traditionally, the drafting of the platform is not open to ordinary people.

This year, that's going to change.

For two weeks in July, people all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities to discuss the issues and share their input. The outcome of these meetings will be reviewed by the Drafting Committee as it creates the final Platform.

No political experience is required. Your thoughts and experiences are all that matter, and they will shape a platform that -- like this campaign -- is owned by the people.

...This year, ordinary people like you will gather in their homes, community centers, places of worship, and even coffee shops to discuss the issues that matter to them and help decide what should be at the heart of the Democratic platform for change.

The input we get from these meetings will help shape the platform at the Democratic Convention in August.

Platform Meetings are a great way to connect with fellow supporters and help write the next chapter in the history of the Democratic Party.

We'll make sure you have all the resources and support you need to succeed. All you need to provide are your ideas for America and your hunger for change.

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard in the political process.

Thank you for all that you do,

Barack

Obama opts for larger nomination venue

In a break from tradition, the Democratic Party announced that Barack Obama will accept the party's nomination at a separate venue than that used for the Democratic Convention in Denver.

The event will be held at the Invesco Stadium in Mile High, which holds more than 75,000 people, a much larger capacity than the Pepsi Center where the convention is held. With more people in the audience, Obama's speech is expected to have a major PR impact.

"The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention," said Gov. Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

A special block of seats will be reserved at the event for Colorado residents who present the proper credentials.