Convention Coverage brought to you by Big Oil???

In case anyone missed it, ExxonMobil will be sponsoring the CNN, CBS and the National Journal's coverage of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.







And just in the nick of time, the Exxon Mobile Citizen Action Team (CAT) issued its summer newsletter.

The ExxonMobil program that provides information on public policy issues and encourages employees and retirees in the United States and those citizens living abroad to get involved in issues that affect our business, families and communities. With nearly 100,000 U.S. employees and retirees providing representation in every congressional district, the ExxonMobil family is an important political force and a vehicle for positive change. By harnessing our collective strength, we can make a difference through the elections process, lobbying and grassroots communications.

Isn’t it nice seeing a corporation take an active role in democracy?

VP Madness

Yesterday, the speaking schedule for the Wednesday night of the Democratic Convention was released. Apparently, both Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) & Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) will be speaking on this night. And already, the pundit class is chattering as Wednesday is also supposed to be "VP night"... And both of these people have been mentioned as "short list" VP picks.

So do we have an idea now on who will be Obama's VP? Or is the media making something out of nothing? I dunno... I still have a feeling we may be in for a HUGE surprise. ;-)

Delegate Conundrum.

I came across a story today about Hillary Clinton delegate Sacha Millstone of Boulder, Colorado. Apparently Millstone has hired an attorney after she received a Democratic Party email that ordered her to come to headquarters to 'explain' disparaging remarks she made about Barack Obama.

Her attorney wrote the DNC asking for the rules that allow the party to threaten a person’s removal from the state delegation. Party officials say the issue has been dropped.

Now I don't know anything about this particular person, nor her motivations. But this raises an interesting conundrum for the Party - should delegates be free to criticize the nominee? And if so - why would they be forced to 'explain themselves' for remarks they make. Thoughts?