The folks in Minneapolis-Saint Paul who hosted the 2008 Republican National Convention did a wonderful job. There were police officers from all over the state and a number of neighboring states brought in to help keep the peace in the event of any trouble. And, unfortunately, there was some trouble from a splinter group within a much larger group of protesters.

These people somehow thought it was cool to vandalize ... and the police quickly hauled these lawbreakers off to a cell somewhere. Call me madcap ... but I kind of favor law and order over anarchy.

Anyway, the idiots who were responsible for injuring a couple of delegates from Colorado (nobody from Missouri was hurt, from what we could see) and damaging property have had enough attention. So, let's move on to things that are more pleasant - like most of the residents of the Twin Cities who were happy to host delegates and guests (and even the media folks) from all over the country and all over the world.

These Minnesotans would randomly ask visitors how they were doing ... offer assistance in any way ... and go out of the way to try to make the visitors feel welcome. It was so unlike New York four years ago ... when some of the people who realized there were Republican delegates on a bus would serve up the middle finger, which, of course, is in poor taste.

But this is the Midwest - not the East Coast ... and people are polite here (for the most part). From the hotel employees who greeted us with smiles and pleasantries ... to the bus drivers who would drive us all over the Twin Cities as we went from event to event ... to the people at the XCel Energy Center - people like Julie Ann Shearen who patrolled the media elevator and - for the four days of the convention - greeted me with a friendly, "Hi, Missouri!" All of them wore red buttons with white lettering reading "Good to see you" - and they meant it.

Minneapolis-St. Paul doesn't have the experience cities like New York or Chicago have hosting something as big as a major party political convention ... and it was a pain in the posterior to have to hop on one of the RNC buses to be taken 30 or 35 miles to an event ... then shuttled another 30 or 35 miles to a different event. But it all went like clockwork because the workers, volunteers, the ordinary residents were determined to make it work for us.

If you've never been to the Twin Cities you might consider taking a mini-vacation there. Having had a brother who lived there for a time I had visited many times and knew what to expect. But some of the Missourians attending the convention got to see Minnesota hospitality for the first time.

Minnesota doesn't have the glamour and excitement of New York or Los Angeles ... but it doesn't have that East Coast or West Coast snobbery, either ... just a lot of friendly people who want to help in any way they can. Given that ... who needs the glitz?

- Steve Walsh

Having attended my share of conventions and other political events, I have managed to acquire quite a truckload of swag down through the years. Some reporters frown on taking swag, suggesting you might be compromising your journalistic integrity by accepting a stuffed animal that you're going to give to somebody's kid. I say ... if you can be bought for the price of a stuffed animal ... you're not worth much to begin with.

Anyway ... this year's haul has included everything from a stuffed elephant from the fine people at AT&T, a baseball cap from the really fine people at AT&T - which just happens to be my cell phone service provider, another cap - this one from the folks providing the best in rail service - BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), a Windjammer umbrella - if you want to keep dry ... it has to be Windjammer, and the standard box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Kraft - an American standard.

So ... when a reporter you know gets home from covering some event and says he or she didn't have time to pick up a souvenir or two ... now you know that the reporter is holding out on you.

- Steve Walsh

It was an all star lineup on hand for the event. It included such notables as former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who looks a lot like Arthur Branch on Law and Order ... Kansas Senator Sam Brownback ... and Missouri's own former Senator Jack Danforth ... former Senator Jim Talent ... and Congressman Kenny Hulshof, who is running for Governor.

There were the funny moments ... including a line delivered by Arthur Branch ... er ... Fred Thompson. Talking about Barack Obama, Thompson suggested there's something wrong with someone who has written two autobiographies by the time he is 45.

The guest of honor offered his thoughts on the media and a liberal bias ... then put forward some very kind thoughts about the late Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press ... and the late Tony Snow of Fox News - who also served as President Bush's Press Secretary. Dole said that while Snow was a Republican and Russert was a Democrat, having worked for Senator Pat Moynihan, these guys were as fair as they come during interviews.

Prior to the event ... a few of us were given the chance to interview the former Senate Majority Leader. During my one-on-one I asked Dole what John McCain has to do to keep

Missouri in the red column in November ... and he told me McCain has to visit the state a lot ... and so does Sarah Palin - the VP candidate. And, he expects the two to do just that in the final two months of the campaign.

- Steve Walsh

Wearing red shirts with the words "Kenny's Crew"(for Kenny Hulshof) printed in white letters, the Missourians stood out as they worked on tables ... stuffing everything from personal hygiene items like deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, and tooth brushes ... to food items that included granola bars, snack foods, and fruit drinks.

I spoke with Bonnie McElveen-Hunter - Chair of the American Red Cross and a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia. She told me 80,000 kits are being put together and sent to the Gulf Coast. At this stage I could joke about how I haven't seen some of these Missouri delegates move this quickly ... and I really want to do it ... but I won't. They did a good thing ... and that's something to keep in mind whenever some malcontent mouths off about how people who attend events like this don't care.

One last thing, if I may (of course I may ... it's my blog) ... one of the great things about attending these conventions is getting to spend time with some great people ... and they're great for reasons other than the fact they're helping with hurricane relief. One of those wonderful people is alternate delegate Michelle Colbert of Steelville - one of several delegates and reporters who sit down in the Ramada Inn (and Water Park) lounge at the end of a long day and enjoy an adult beverage or two ... or three ... or more. Wednesday night she asked why I hadn't written anything about her, specifically ... and I told her I would ... because I can. And, I have.

- Steve Walsh

Well, there was disappointment, my friends, when Jo and I were told that the most talked about politician from the 49th state would not be attending. In her place, though, would be talk show host Laura Ingraham.

Laura was, of course, great. But the event did not go off without hitches - one at the beginning and the other at the end as peace protesters made their way onto the stage and were quickly removed without any damage being done.

It was a successful event which featured lots of food and drink and a rousing speech from someone who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

While walking through the audience I ran into Governor Matt Blunt ... who shall be referred to in this story as Our Matt. We had a chat about his appearance on MSNBC earlier in the day ... with me asking Our Matt if he might ever appear on that network as a guest on Keith Olbermann's show. Immediately upon asking that question I realized how stupid a question it was because anyone who has ever watched Keith Olbermann knows he only has guests with whom he agrees and who hate Republicans. Okay ... maybe "hate" is a strong word ... but pretty close to reality.

Anyway, Communications Director Rich Chrismer asked me why I always referred to Senator Claire McCaskill as "Our Claire." And I told him it was just one of the little things I started doing to make the Missourinet blog stand out from the others. And I told him I would refer to his boss as "Our Matt" for a time.

And, to borrow a line from Yul Brynner in The Ten Commandments ... "So it is written ... so it shall be done!"

By the way ... the event was well attended ... with a lot of those in attendance having to scoot over to the Xcel Center for the start of the evening's activities, which included speeches from former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who urged Democrats to put the good of the country ahead of the good of the party and to vote for John McCain.

- Steve Walsh

It's a day that began with a trip to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad depot in Saint Paul, where the delegation was treated to orange juice, wine, and breakfast burritos, among other tasty treats.

The folks barely had time to say thank you to BNSF before hopping on the bus and heading back to the Ramada Inn - our host hotel - for a luncheon with some of the big names in politics. Former presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, and John McCain's mother, Rebecca.

Following lunch, a dinner reception courtesy of Union Pacific, and more food.

The eating and drinking is interrupted only by the need to actually take care of some convention business ... but then it's a concern in downtown Minneapolis ... a concert featuring former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee playing "A Little Straight Rock."

When delegates return home ... a few pounds heavier ... and tell you they worked hard for a week ... you'll know what they might not have wanted to tell you!

- Steve Walsh

If I were cynical ... I might suggest the GOP is playing up to two crucial states - Ohio and Missouri. But, not cynical, I won't. On second thought ... of course I'm cynical ... I'm a reporter.

Anyway, Missourians seem to be having a good time ... in spite of the fact our hotel is so far north of the convention center we have to shovel four feet of snow before we get out in the morning. I'm being dishonest ... actually, it's only three feet of snow.

Okay ... I ran into our senior U.S. Senator Kit Bond at the arena on Monday. He tells me he had to walk a bit to get into the convention center. I heard the same from several other people who complained that protesters were causing trouble and - in some cases - breaking the law. There were the peacenicks who just wanted to march and lie down in the street. But, according to a couple of delegates with whom I spoke, some of the anarchists in the group started breaking the law ... and breaking glass.

Organizers had hoped for a crowd of about 25,000 for a protest on the opening day of the convention ... but estimates range from 5,000 to 10,000. It's still a good crowd - for a minor league baseball game ... but not really so good when you consider it was a holiday.

So much for the protesters ... the Missourians inside the arena had great seats for the opening day ... and had a great view of First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain.

Wednesday is a big day for the Missouri delegation with visits from - among others - former presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele ... and John McCain's mom! Now ... that's a great day at the convention.

- Steve Walsh

There was plenty of food for delegates from all across the country ... and exhibits ranging from pieces of the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois ... to political memorabilia ... to First Ladies' Gowns .. to live stage performances ... a full-scale replica of Air Force One ... and one of the Oval Office. These Minnesotans are doing a great job of extending a welcome.

As we rolled up to the Convention Center in our bus, Missouri delegates (and others) were greeted by Medea Benjamin - a peace activist. You might recognize her from the accompanying photo. If not, you might be familiar with the anti-war group Code Pink. Medea is co-founder of this group. If that doesn't ring any bells ... I'm sure you've seen her from time to time with Bill O'Reilly or on Hannity and Colmes.

I had a chance to chat with Medea about her greeting Sunday night ... which was very pleasant, peaceful, and served up with a big smile.

Download MedeaBenjamin.MP3

Media only had a few people with her Sunday night ... but is one of tens of thousands in town for a huge demonstration set for Monday in Saint Paul as marchers make their way from the State Capitol to the hockey arena where the convention is being staged. The curtailing of the events could lead to a scaling back of this protest ... but organizers made it clear they would go ahead with their plans, nonetheless.

- Steve Walsh

Well ... here goes entry number one from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.  It seems as though it were just four years ago the Missouri delegation to the Republican National Convention in New York stayed at the luxurious Westin Times Square - just a 20 minute walk from Madison Square Garden. Of course ... it was just four years ago.

This year, Missourians are staying at the Ramada Inn ... and Water Park! There's nothing like checking into a hotel room that has wet floors because the previous guests were here to enjoy the fabulous Ramada Inn ... and Water Park.

I kid ... because I can. In all seriousness, we have learned that while the Missouri delegation might be closer to Winnipeg, Manitoba than to Saint Paul, Minnesota (just kidding) ... Missouri has a choice spot on the floor - FRONT ROW BABY! That's right ... you'll see the Missourians right down in front to the left of the speakers.

But it should also be noted that because of Hurricane Gustav things have been curtailed here at the Convention. Day One on Monday will basically be a "gavel in, gavel out" day officially because of ongoing concerns about the situation with Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf. Clearly, Republicans do not want to be seen as partying to excess while part of the country is hit with a natural disaster. There's even talk of helping out the victims ... should things get bad down South.

In the meantime, though ... the show is underway.

- Steve Walsh

What's at stake this year? If the Tigers lose - which we hope will not happen - our Governor will officially proclaim September 6th - the date of both teams’ first home game - "University of Illinois Fighting Illini Day" and should the Fighting Illini lose, Blagojevich is set to proclaim the same day "University of Missouri Fighting Tigers Day" on his home turf. In addition, the losing Governor has also agreed to pose for a photo with the proclamation.

On a personal note ... I am disappointed that the game starts in the evening. I'm going to miss the opener as I have to head up to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the Republican National Convention. When I saw the schedule a few months back I was hoping for a late morning or early afternoon game ... which would allow me to scoot up to the Twin Cities after the game ... but a night game tosses that plan out the window.

Anyway, I have some fun ideas in mind for the Missourinet blog once I get to Minnesota. And, with the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate ... we could see a more energized convention ... and those are always more fun to cover.

- Steve Walsh

Republicans from Governor Matt Blunt ... to Senator Kit Bond ... to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder ... to Missouri GOP Chairman Doug Russell were filled with praise.

As was the statement from State Treasurer Sarah Steelman ... but it went a little beyond the standard praise. After stating she is "thrilled with John McCain's bold selection of Sarah Palin," our Sarah wrote, "As Governor she has fought for the people of her state and for a government that truly serves them. In Alaska, she fought against cronyism and corruption and restored faith in what principled leadership can accomplish. In battling wasteful and wreckless spending by Congress, Governor Palin called for a ban on earmarks, even when they would benefit her state. That's the kind of leadership America needs."

Well ... doesn't that sound like some of the talk we heard during her tough gubernatorial fight with eventual winner Kenny Hulshof?

- Steve Walsh

Says Talent: "The choice of Joe Biden, to me, is almost a confession by the Obama campaign that this is a big problem because there really was no reason to pick Joe Biden except his foreign policy credentials. So, it's saying ... look we know we need help on this. It's an affirmation by them in a way."

He adds: "If you're an independent and you're looking at this you're going ... ya ... that's a negative for Senator Obama and a positive for John McCain."

How much will Republicans play up this issue during the campaign? "You're going to hear Republicans continuing to talk about it," says Talent, "Because it's a legitimate issue and a big one."

Republicans are quick to point out the first person to question Obama's readiness for the post was none other than Biden ... when Biden and Obama were fighting it out for the Democratic Party nod.

- Steve Walsh

Such are the speculations that attend every national political party convention. Political parties tend to deliver messages with accommodations. The Texas delegation doesn’t fare all that well at the Democratic National Convention. The Massachusetts delegation doesn’t get high-profile treatment at the Republican National Convention.

This is the fourth Democratic National Convention I have covered. The first, in 1996, had great accommodations in Chicago. The second, LA in 2000, moved the delegation out to Pasadena, a bit far from the convention hall, but quality digs nonetheless. Boston, in 2004, had the delegation in a high quality hotel on the harbor, next to the convention center (I didn’t stay there, being shipped out to Somerville, MA, but that’s another story). Four years ago, the Missouri delegation sat on the floor of the convention hall, just to the left of the stage, a prime location. This year, the delegation is right of the stage on the second level, far from the sweet location it once occupied.

So, what happened this year?

Speculation is that the Missouri delegation to the DNC has lost some clout, because of the loss of Richard Gephardt. I had always been told that Missouri received such good treatment, because Gephardt was the top Democrat in the United States House and commanded great respect. Missouri also had been solidly in Democrat hands until after the 2000 election. Gephardt has left Congress. Republicans have taken over the Missouri General Assembly and the governor’s office. George W. Bush won the state twice. The delegation ends up in Centennial, CO. It’s a nice place, but you definitely cannot see the convention center from here.

Missouri Republicans have noticed. In a news release, the State Republican Party has seized upon the fact that the Missouri Democratic delegation has been assigned the remote outpost. Republicans rightly point out that after promising to campaign vigorously in Missouri in 2004, John Kerry visited Jefferson City for a huge rally, then packed up and left the state for good. It’s a memory that has left a lingering, bitter taste in the mouths of Missouri Democrats who had to fend for themselves in the crucial final weeks of the campaign.

Missouri Republicans compare the accommodations Missouri has received here to the pull out of Kerry in 2004. They claim Barack Obama is doing the same thing as Kerry, stating that Missouri is important, but not living up to that claim.

"Based on the Missouri Democrat Delegation being seated in the nose-bleed section at the Democrat National Convention it does not appear as if anything has changed - Missouri is not a priority for Democrats," said Tina Hervey, communications director Missouri Republican Party.

Hervey, in her news release, also takes a shot at Senator McCaskill.

"Other indicia of the lack of commitment to Missouri included network televisions’ coverage of Claire McCaskill’s remarks. Many networks didn’t cover her entire address but rather had commentators speaking and asking who she was. If the Democrats cared about Missouri, they would have briefed the media on the importance of her remarks."

We can debate the use of the word "indicia" later (some already have), but Republicans don’t need to worry about Claire. The networks know who she is. She has been serving as one of the top Obama surrogates at the convention, speaking so much this week she has grown hoarse. As for the criticism of the accomodations, there might be a point in there somewhere. A delegation’s importance is often displayed by where they stay and where they are seated in the convention. Missouri this year doesn’t rank high in either category.

I suspect that will change should Barack Obama win the presidency. McCaskill is close to the Obama campaign. Her star is on the rise. An Obama Administration only makes that star rise a bit higher.

As for whether Obama cares about Missouri, a better indication might be the offices the campaign has opened in Missouri. The Obama campaign is opening its 37th Missouri office in Lee’s Summit. It has 24 offices in rural Missouri. That’s an unprecedented commitment by a Democratic presidential candidate to Missouri, especially to outstate Missouri, and more important than where the Missouri delegation is staying this week.

- Brent Martin

One of the big stories at the Democratic National Convention, perhaps THE big story, is whether Hillary Clinton delegates will get solidly behind Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy. In Missouri, it seems apparent that Clinton delegates are taking a pragmatic approach. They want to win in November, badly. They understand that a divided party likely spells doom. They are switching their support to Obama.

It seems to me that few Democrats who supported Clinton will actually vote for Republican John McCain. The real question, and the one I have been pursuing all week, is will they enthusiastically endorse Obama? Campaigns have been won and lost the last few election cycles, especially in Missouri, by very small margins. Republicans have given credit to a superior ground game for their victories in Missouri, which has stayed in Republican hands as other states have turned over and become the possession of Democrats. Republicans simply have turned out their base better than Democrats. A political party’s base turns out on emotion; on that intangible we tend to call enthusiasm. The presidential campaign in Missouri likely will turn on enthusiasm. McCain must somehow generate the fervent support that kept Missouri in the Republican column for President Bush. It remains to be seen if he can do that. At present, Missouri Republicans seem a bit back on their heels, in a defensive posture. Missouri Democrats sense victory and a bright, young candidate like Barack Obama presents a nominee that can generate enthusiasm among some voters who haven’t been a factor before. Still, Obama needs Clinton supporters not just to vote for him in November, but to work for him between now and then.

Some assume the speech given by Hillary Clinton will do the trick. It might. It might not. Clinton threw her support solidly behind Obama’s campaign last night. Clinton supporters in Missouri say they plan to follow her lead in switching their support to Obama, understanding that a united front is need to win this fall. By all accounts, Clinton gave a masterful speech. It could become a speech with a two-edged sword. It gave Obama the endorsement his campaign wanted. It was delivered so well, though, and received with such enthusiasm, it might have left many Clinton supporters with that nagging feeling of what might have been.

- Brent Martin

Senator Kit Bond has played quite a roll in this effort to get out the GOP message. And, anyone who knows our senior U.S. Senator knows he really has no problem saying what's on his mind. (We're fortunate in Missouri in that our junior U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is just as outspoken) ... but more about her at another time.

A Tuesday conference call with the aforementioned Kit Bond and former State Representative Jack Jackson - the co-chairs of the McCain campaign in Missouri - dealt with national security. Our senior Senator compared Obama - somewhat - to 1930s British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who is known for his policy of appeasement in the run up to World War II.

Says Bond: "I don't know all of the things that Neville Chamberlain did but I can tell you that Neville Chamberlain's efforts to appease Hitler are very much what we're hearing from Barack Obama when he says he wants to meet, unconditionally, with Ahmadinejad ... When he believes the United Nations can handle the problems with Russia. He doesn't realize that there are times when - even though military action is the last resort, and we ought to pursue diplomatic efforts - that there are times we have to use that because there are evil people in this world ... there are evil leaders like Ahmadinejad, Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein ... who will not listen to reason, will not be won over by diplomacy." He adds, "We have to have the willingness to stand up and say - this is beyond negotiation and this is where we have to fight."

- Steve Walsh

That's the essence of the ad ... what makes it a Missouri story is that one of the people behind this ad is none other than Ed Martin, former Chief of Staff to Governor Matt Blunt. In fact, Martin is the president of the American Issues Project - which has the ad posted on its website.

I ran into Ed Tuesday morning in Jefferson City and chatted with him about the ad and the response it's been getting.

Download 082608EdMartin.MP3

- Steve Walsh

Missouri has about 350 people in its delegation. Eighty-eight are delegates. The state party reflects the nation, once again. Barack Obama won the Missouri presidential primary, but barely. He split delegates with Hillary Clinton 36-36. The remaining 16 so-called Super Delegates are mainly in Obama’s corner. Much work this week is behind-the-scenes as Obama supporters try to soothe some of the hurt feelings that arose from a tight, often bruising, presidential primary battle. The real question is not whether Clinton supporters will vote for Obama, it doesn’t seem possible that they would vote for Republican John McCain, but whether they will work for Obama. The life blood of any campaign, whether presidential or local, is the work of volunteers. Obama will need people willing to make the calls, raise the money and go door-to-door. He needs workers and cannot afford to have Hillary Clinton supporters sit on the sidelines until Election Day, go to the polls and cast their ballots.

Democrats entered this election season assuming victory. Things looked mighty bleak for Republicans with President Bush consistently receiving low approval ratings. Obama seemed so fresh and new and generated such excitement. The war in Iraq started to turn around with violence plummeting. The economy faltered and gas prices rose. Republicans, though, seized on the notion of drilling off-shore if not in the Alaskan wildlife and Obama seemed taken off stride and fumbled an energy response. He lost momentum.

Perhaps Obama recaptured some of that with his choice of Delaware Senator Joe Biden as a running mate, but it’s clear the stakes are high for Obama this week. He needs to regain the momentum, unify his party solidly behind him and spark a fire that could burn brightly through November’s election. Democrats, including Missouri Democrats, are being reminded this week that nothing in politics is certain. Politics is a rough sport, assuming victory often leads to defeat. They are being reminded that they must be willing to work hard if they are to come out on top this fall.

- Brent Martin

Obama is visiting KC as part of his tour through battleground states, Tuesday, Obama hosts a town hall with workers - including American Airlines employees. This town hall is billed as a "Discussion on Renewing America's Promise," with part of the discussion centering on American Airlines' announcement that it could cut up to 600 jobs at the airline's facility in Kansas City.

It's an invitation only event ... which will be followed by Obama's final event, on Wednesday, before he heads to Denver for the convention.

- Steve Walsh

For the longest time we had heard that Barack Obama would first announce his choice of a running mate to supporters via text message ... followed by a news release to those of us who report on politics for a living. Let's assume all had gone as planned ... and word that Senator Joe Biden is the choice had actually become known via text message. Did it not occur that media people would sign up for the text message, too?

A Jefferson City friend actually said to me, this week, that she would find out about the VP choice before I did. To which I responded ... "Don't you think most newspeople at the Missourinet as well as those at newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations throughout the state ... and the country ... have signed up for the same text message ... and will immediately broadcast it or post it?"

But the text message crowd didn't even get the opportunity to learn of the VP choice at the same time as us "oldtimers" learned of it. While so many of these young people were waiting up until all hours to learn the news ... TV and radio were already announcing Biden as the pick. The much anticipated text message was sent out around 2amCT ... a number of hours after "oldtimers" who listen to radio and watch TV got the news.

To add insult to injury, AP reports word of the pick was posted on the Obama '08 website BEFORE the text message was sent out. So ... while all of the folks who held their collective breath waiting for "the text" to come in were not among the LAST to learn ... they were NOT among the FIRST. It wasn't even close.

Certainly, anyone in the mainstream media should embrace new technology ... and, we at the Missourinet and other news gathering operations do just that. But, just as it would be a mistake for anyone wanting information to rely on one newspaper or one radio station for that information, it's a mistake to blow off all that is out there and rely solely on text messages and the like for information. The mainstream media have proven once again - to paraphrase Mark Twain - reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated.

One last note ... and this is from Steve the cynic. All this "Be the first to know through a text message" stuff might have been one of the most brilliant political moves a campaign has come up with in years. While the Obama campaign failed to deliver on a promise ... it did convince hundreds of thousands ... if not millions ... of people to volunteer their cell phone numbers. And there should be no doubt that phone bank will be tapped in the coming two months to replenish the campaign coffers. Brilliant!

- Steve Walsh