By G.R. Anderson Jr. | Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

Two polls show John McCain getting an expected — if traditionally fleeting — nationwide lift from the Republican National Convention. (Then again, other polls show no bounce at all.) But what about everything else connected with the RNC? Who won? (Hint: It starts with a "P.") Who lost? (Also starts with a "P.") Who simply got bounced around? (Just about everyone else.) Here's our completely unscientific, highly opinionated assessment of winners and losers.

By Doug Grow | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

It's hard for any place to compete with a scenic setting like the Rocky Mountains, but here's the scorecard from the MinnPost reporter who was on the scene for both the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the Republican gathering here.

By Jay Weiner | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Move over, soccer moms. Sarah Palin has put their replacement in the spotlight. Hockey moms — the newest political demographic — are active and overly busy. Hockey moms are politically skillful, and hockey moms are featured in their own specialty publication and website — and even idolized in song (by a group called the Zambonis, of course).

By Joe Kimball | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

"Nothing burned. No one was badly injured," Police Chief John Harrington said. And Mayor Chris Coleman declared victory: "Our goal was to have a safe and successful convention, and clearly we have done that."

By Roxane Battle | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

As the spotlight fades on the Republican National Convention, there's a must-have souvenir delegates are scrambling for as they leave the convention. The bad news is that it's all sold out — well, sort of.

Analysis by Steve Berg | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving problems "isn't a cause, it's a symptom," said Sen. John McCain Thursday night, echoing the theme of fellow Republican George W. Bush in 2000 — yet casting himself as an outsider.

By Marisa Helms | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

GOP delegates from the 10 states that border the Mississippi River got an up-close look Thursday at St. Paul's recent efforts to balance its riverfront activities by preserving pristine areas, increasing recreational opportunities and maintaining its history as a working river. 

By Michael Metzger
Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Local community organizers take issue with Republican Sarah Palin's dig at Democrat Barack Obama's leadership experience. 

By Sharon Schmickle | Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Savvy listeners know political speeches should be taken with a grain of salt. So let's fact-check some of the statements from this week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

By Doug Grow
Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Sen. John McCain, a survivor of a POW camp and numerous political skirmishes, claimed the Republican nomination Thursday night, taking mostly the high road as he frames the race between him and Sen. Barack Obama.

Thank you. We're so glad we're in Minnesota. How do we measure the content of a person's character? How do we recognize their fitness to serve? Barack Obama gives a good speech...

By every measure, the surge of troops into Iraq has worked. Sectarian violence and coalition casualties are at record lows. 15 of the 18 political benchmarks have been met. The Iraqi's have a larger, more capable Army. Oil production is dramatically increasing...

By G.R. Anderson Jr.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

No longer the VP candidate, Tim Pawlenty gives a less-than-rousing speech in the shadow of Sarah Palin.

Thank you. Tonight I speak to you with a grateful heart and enormous pride. I speak to you as one friend about another. About a proven leader... a world statesman... an untiring and effective public servant. I speak to you about a warrior...who has sometimes stood alone... or shown the way... in fighting for the most vulnerable of our citizens... for the country he so dearly loves... and for the founding principles we all so deeply cherish...

Thank you all very much. Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans -- the privilege of accepting our party’s nomination for President of the United States. And I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence.

Thank you everyone. John and I are so proud of [our family] and so happy to have them here with us tonight. Nothing has made me happier or more fulfilled in my life than being a mother...

By Dan Haugen | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

The party's Log Cabin Republicans say they're standing with the guy who stood with them in opposing a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Even so, they're more focused on a broad conservative agenda and hope that the campaign does not come down to such wedge issues, particularly since none of the leading presidential candidates had supported gay marriage.

By Doug Grow | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

From firsthand experience, Walter Mondale's right-hand man knows that media attention to Sarah Palin's qualifications stems not from sexism but from her being a new player on the national political scene. That's what happened to VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, says David Lillehaug. Deep investigations always have been done on any relatively new political face, he says.

By Cynthia Boyd | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Many Republicans obviously think so, rising to her defense just hours before her big speech. There's little agreement, however, in the world of warring bloggers and pundits about Palin herself and about the standards and boundaries that apply to her unique situation.

By Roxane Battle | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Sarah Palin's hockey-mom, small-town roots hit the right notes with women in the Minnesota delegation.

By Joe Kimball | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Although some downtown St. Paul businesses were telling employees to go home early Thursday afternoon, officials said they have not asked anyone to close up or even suggested leaving the downtown area. Several hundred anarchists remain in town, police say, and at least three planned and permitted protests are scheduled for today.

By Marisa Helms | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

"Gorgeous" and "classy" are two words often on the lips of her GOP fans when describing the woman who could be the nation’s next first lady.  A wealthy woman, she helps run the distribution arm of the Anheuser-Busch beer company and, in recent years, has become a prolific philanthropist who serves on the boards of many nonprofits.

By Roxane Battle | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Big events attract all sorts of characters and interesting looking people. In this video report, MinnPost catches up with some of the famous and flashy folks attending the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

By Sharon Schmickle | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Although the Alaska governor sidestepped social issues in her speech, one of her roles in the campaign is to light a fire under social conservatives who were lukewarm on McCain. Palin didn't need to stoke them in her speech.

By Christina Capecchi | Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

Sen. John McCain's young supporters may not rival Sen. Barack Obama's in numbers or noise, but they do exist, and they're in plain view here during the Republican National Convention, actively participating in many roles.

By Doug Grow | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

GOP delegates embraced VP nominee Sarah Palin even before her speech tonight. Now, they adore her. Two state women with long political pedigrees — DFLer Joan Growe and the GOP's Kris Sanda — came away impressed, too.

Almost exactly one year ago during a Republican presidential debate in Durham, N.H., I said that if I weren't running for president myself, I'd be supporting John McCain. Well, I'm not, and I do...

For decades, the Washington sun has been rising in the East. Washington has been looking to the Eastern elites, to the editorial pages of The [New York] Times and The [Washington] Post, and to the broadcasters from the coast.

As much as I appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight, I really was originally hoping for the slot on Thursday called the acceptance speech. But I am delighted to speak on behalf of my second choice for the Republican nomination for president, John McCain — a man with the character and stubborn kind of integrity that I want in a president.

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States... I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America. I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election... against confident opponents ... at a crucial hour for our country...

By Dan Haugen | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

Minnesota long was considered "the very finest laboratory of democracy," according to think tank president Dane Smith. Although Democrats often get the credit, he says, moderate and progressive Republicans also played an important role in making this "The State That Works."

By Joe Kimball and Cynthia Boyd | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

Five Republican women leaders today took on the media, Democrats and bloggers in a presidential campaign version of the war of the sexes.

By John Camp
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

As a veteran journalist and long-time riot aficionado, here are my rules for covering a riot without getting hurt.

By Roxane Battle | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

While the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s father was a Republican before the Kennedy-Nixon campaign, some continue to insist that the younger King was at one time tied to the Republican Party, including several black Republican congressional candidates attending this week's convention.

By G.R. Anderson Jr.
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

An all-star lineup greeted the Minnesota delegation with red-meat Republican talking points — and a clear picture of the strategy that the McCain-Palin ticket will employ this fall.

By Joe Kimball | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

Authorities are preparing for trouble at tonight's concert by Rage Against the Machine, a political rap metal band appearing at Target Center in Minneapolis. In 2000, a riot erupted in Los Angeles when the band played a free concert near the Democratic National Convention.

By Doug Grow | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

The governor seemed at peace with losing out on his chance for the VP spot. One delegate summed up the group's widely held view of his future: "Nothing bad can happen to Tim Pawlenty out of this. No door has been shut on him.''

Five days after Sen. John McCain's surprise announcement of his running mate, the Alaska governor addressed the Republican National Convention Wednesday night. It's been a whirlwind of news coverage — and controversy — about her, her family, her strengths and weaknesses, and also what it says about McCain's judgment and vetting process. For a wide-ranging look at Palin and some of the issues swirling around her, check out these MinnPost offerings:

Hours before Palin's big speech, GOP women launch 'gender war' attack
By Joe Kimball and Cynthia Boyd
Rare Palin book suddenly a hot item, so paperback version is due shortly
By Joe Kimball
Minnesota's female anglers and hunters embracing Palin
By Christina Capecchi
International press looks for clues of Palin's foreign-policy views
By Sharon Schmickle
Delegates (and nation) await Palin's coming-out speech
By Steve Berg
Other Palin coverage

For a wide-ranging look at Palin and some of the issues swirling around her, check out these MinnPost offerings

When Sarah Kay, 23, got the CNN e-mail update, she screamed. Her colleagues rushed into her office, concerned. What had happened? Sen. McCain had chosen a moose-hunting dark horse as his VP.

A short book about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — a testimonial, more than a biography — has become a hot item days since she was picked as the Republican vice-presidential running mate for Sen. John McCain.

By Sharon Schmickle | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

Sarah Palin is mystifying the foreign press at the Republican National Convention as they seek answers to their questions about her positions on foreign policy, but can't find answers.

When several hundred people gathered in St. Paul's Mears Park to march to the Republican National Convention under the banner of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, few of them had any idea that they were about to set out on an odyssey through St. Paul's concrete wilderness.

RELATED SLIDESHOW: Rally and march photos by Terry Gydesen

By Steve Berg | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

As Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin prepares for her national coming-out speech tonight, discussions over Sen. John McCain's judgment in selecting her stayed front and center.

By David Brauer | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

An AP photographer's arrest is typical of the dangers working journalists — particularly photojournalists — face covering demonstrations.

By Beth Hawkins | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

After 10 hours of cheering and speechifying in Minneapolis, Ron Paul's followers seemed divided as to the new movement's ultimate goal.

Related: Craig Westover on Ron Paul's message

By Christina Capecchi | Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008

In its ongoing sibling rivalry with Minneapolis, the Capital City still seems stuck in the shadow of its bigger relative, some are saying.

By Doug Grow
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

Truth be told, nobody got Republicans too fired up tonight. It was "Minnesota Night" Tuesday with speeches by Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Michele Bachmann. Republicans began revving up for their delayed convention action but mostly, there wasn't a lot of energy in the building. It was as if delegates still were dealing with the political aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

Thank you for that warm welcome. I am honored to be here. We meet tonight in the wake of a terrible storm that has hit the Gulf Coast but that hurts all of us, because we are all members of our larger American family...

Tonight our thoughts are still with our friends and fellow citizens in the Gulf Coast area, and our thanks go to those who have worked so hard to keep them safe. There can be no more important work than this...

Good evening. As you know, my duties have me here in Washington tonight to oversee the federal government's efforts to help citizens recover from Hurricane Gustav. We are thankful that the damage in New Orleans and across the Gulf Coast was less than many had feared.

By Beth Hawkins | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

Stealing the show at Ron Paul's alternate convention, Jesse Ventura says he might return to politics — "if this country shows me it's worth it for me to do it."

By John Reinan | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

You wouldn't normally expect to find a Time magazine "Person of the Year" on a crumbling pedestrian bridge over Interstate 94, waving a painted bedsheet and flashing a peace sign to the speeding motorists below.

By Marisa Helms | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

What happens when the journalist-as-observer — like Amy Goodman — becomes the journalist-as-participant? They get arrested and lots of First Amendment talk comes up.

By Joe Kimball | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

On Day Two of the Republican National Convention, St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington said he was expecting less of the same. He got his wish, but not without some dust-ups at a late afternoon rally at Mear Park in St. Paul's Lowertown. 

Related: Coleen Rowley: 'I'm painting sheets' for peace

By Doug Grow | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

They're all psyched up: Gustav's threat is behind them, the Republican convention is about to shift into full gear, and there's a real conservative on the presidential ticket.

By Dan Haugen | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

Republicans are resuming a full but shuffled convention schedule in St. Paul today, with a lineup that includes speeches tonight by Minnesota's Sen. Norm Coleman and 6th District Rep. Michele Bachmann.

ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her.

The media and bloggers have begun their own vetting of Sarah Palin in earnest. Here is a selection of this week’s news stories and commentary about her background.

The revelation of Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter is stirring passionate debate over abstinence-only sex education, teen pregnancy, family values, the judgment of Palin and John McCain, and more.

By Sharon Schmickle

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

Americans agree in theory with the ideal of drawing a line between church and state. But it isn't clear where they want it.

RNC delegates and others clearly had a different interpretation of John McCain's pleas to limit party business to "absolutely necessary" activities.

By Christina Capecchi | Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008

Pregnancy rumors involving both VP nominee Sarah Palin and her daughter demonstrated both the discredit blogs endure and the power they wield.

By Joe Kimball | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

At times, it was a surreal scene today in downtown St. Paul, where small roving groups clashed with police. The skirmishes distracted attention from the generally peaceful throng that gathered on the opening day of the Republican National Convention to make their views known.

By Doug Grow | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

No "Today Show" appearance. No Katie Couric. No Charlie Gibson. Twin Cities officials empathize with the impact of Hurricane Gustav but lament the loss of long-anticipated chances for a worldwide showcase of the region.

By John Camp | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Although many of the rally groups are relatively new, a good number of those who marched in St. Paul today have been protesting a variety of injustices going back as far as the Vietnam War.  

By David Brauer
Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

The conservative Minnesota "family values" congresswoman acknowledges the first-day convention news isn't ideal, but insists the vice-presidential hopeful will turn bad news into a pro-life positive.

By G.R. Anderson Jr.
and Michael Metzger
Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Republicans and evangelicals are urging a tolerant view of the news that GOP veep nominee Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant.

By G.R. Anderson Jr. | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Minnesota delegates are bummed about Gustav, diplomatic on Dubya, but high on Palin so far. What about that McCain guy?

By Cynthia Boyd and Joe Kimball
Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Today's protest march began peacefully, but within minutes, there were numerous reports of break-away protesters tangling with police and of pepper-spray responses. Scattered incidents proliferated throughout the afternoon, and there were at least 13 arrests.

Earlier today: As major protest looms, police in state of 'relaxed readiness'

ARLINGTON, VA — Today, Sarah and Todd Palin issued the following statement regarding today's Reuters story...

“Unless there's action that requires their presence, they will stay in the relaxed-and-ready mode,” St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington says. He and Mayor Chris Coleman reiterated their support of peaceful protesters.

By Steve Berg

Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Hurricane Gustav provides the Republican Party a dramatic backdrop for drawing sharp contrasts between Sen. John McCain's abilities and President Bush's perceived incompetence in facing Katrina three years ago.

By Michael Metzger | Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Pastor Gus Booth of Warroad, Minn., and other evangelicals attending the RNC are rejoicing at John McCain's veep pick. "It was just the most masterful VP choice in modern history," he said.

By Sharon Schmickle
Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

The demonstration in St. Paul on Sunday was the first of several events scheduled during this convention week to challenge the government’s treatment of prisoners.

By Cynthia Boyd and Kay Harvey

Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Just about the time that most die-hard Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters accept they've lost their chance to see a woman in the Oval Office or even steps away, Republican John McCain taps a feisty female governor from Alaska to be his running mate. What will Minnesota women do?

Sen. John McCain and Republican officials announced plans for the GOP convention's scaled-back Day One, saying party politics should be set aside in times of "a great natural disaster." The decision wipes out scheduled first-day appearances by President Bush, the vice president and the first lady — and leaves the rest of the week's activities in doubt.

In a video interview with MinnPost’s Roxane Battle, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman weighs in on  Sarah Palin (he would have preferred Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as John McCain’s running mate) and outlines what he hopes the convention will accomplish in light of Hurricane Gustav.

By Beth Hawkins | Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008

Pretty much everything about Ron Paul's grassroots Rally for the Republic in Minneapolis this week stands in stark contrast to the Republican national convention getting underway in St. Paul.

By G.R. Anderson Jr. | Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

The dawn of the Republican National Convention brings five raids and at least five arrests by law-enforcement authorities, who say activists were planning illegal activities to disrupt the gathering. Lawyers for those arrested deny the claim.

On August 30, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, supported by the Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, executed search warrants at the following addresses...

By Christina Capecchi | Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Armed with credentials, bloggers in large numbers will be covering the GOP gathering, helping to shape coverage and public perceptions with unique and wide-ranging perspectives.

Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Who is Sarah Palin? And what does she bring to the GOP presidential ticket? A roundup of readings on the Alaska governor who calls her husband the first dude.

By Robert Whereatt | Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

John McCain's decision to pass up Tim Pawlenty as his running mate is a political disappointment for the governor. There have been other lows in his political career — but many more highs.

Comic and lefty satirist Lizz Winstead, in town for her own take on the Republicans, explains how she came to dance with John McCain and what we can expect at this convention. A Q&A. 

By Christy DeSmith
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

As the Twin Cities prepare for their close-up, local arts organizations clamor for the attention of our guests.

By Roger Buoen | Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

Delegates, journalists, lobbyists and prominent political leaders have begun arriving in the Twin Cities for the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in St. Paul. A small army of MinnPost journalists will be covering and analyzing what they will be saying and doing.

By Joe Kimball | Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

The flowers are planted, streets swept and welcome banners unfurled as St. Paul and Minneapolis prepare to greet 45,000 visitors arriving this weekend for the Republican National Convention.

By Joe Kimball

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

Foes say that worries about endangering public safety and setting a bad precedent — not politics — are reasons for nixing anti-Republican Jumbotron messages. Protesters are considering a lawsuit.

By Doug Grow | Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008

What's a political convention without some elaborate parties, where sponsors get to share good times — and their targeted messages — with a select group of lawmakers, friends and media members?  Among the biggest blowouts will be AgNite, an extravaganza meant to showcase Minnesota's agricultural industry.

By Doug Grow | Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Some businesses are expecting a big payday short term, while Twin Cities boosters are hoping for a publicity bonanza that will pay dividends for years to come.