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The Morning Grind / Political Hot Topics |
Potential 2008 race begins at convention
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|  VIDEO |
 The Morning Grind's John Mercurio is at the convention.
 CNN's Kelly Wallace on the Dick Cheney factor.
 CNN's Aaron Brown reviews the convention at the half-way point.
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| MAKING THEIR CASE |  Day Three: Wednesday
• Theme: 'A Land of Opportunity'
• 7 to 11:15 p.m. ET: Speakers include Rick Santorum, Mitch McConnell, Elaine Chao, Mitt Romney, Zell Miller, Lynne and Dick Cheney
• Highlight: A tribute to Ronald Reagan
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Check out the links below to hot political stories around the country this morning.
GEARING UP FOR 2008: On the surface, the Republican National Convention is all about 2004 and the re-election of President Bush. But there is also a distinct whiff of 2008 about the gathering as possible contenders for the nomination in four years take the opportunity to make connections, establish their national credentials and cater to those with an important say in the primaries.
The New York Times: Possible contenders for 2008 begin the wooing in 2004
VOCAL VP: Tonight's key speaker is Bush's closest policy advisor with clout like no other predecessor.
The Los Angeles Times: Running mate, soul mate: Cheney redefines VP role
DAY OF DISOBEDIENCE: Activists wearing pig snouts, climbing trees, and playing dead in the street answered a call for a wave of civil disobedience across the city yesterday to protest against President Bush and corporations with ties to his administration.
The Boston Globe: Demonstrators stage acts of protest throughout city; hundreds arrested
LIFE STORY: The Republican National Convention turned on Tuesday from accenting strength to emphasizing opportunity and compassion, as Arnold Schwarzenegger presented his improbable life story -- the rise from immigrant bodybuilder to movie star to California governor -- as an embodiment of the GOP and its ideals.
The Los Angeles Times: Schwarzenegger wraps his life story around GOP themes
FIRST LADY: First lady Laura Bush, taking center stage on the second night of the Republican National Convention, declared that President Bush "has led our country with strength and conviction" as the party sought to present the president to voters as an unflinching but compassionate leader deserving of re-election.
USA Today: First lady praises Bush's 'strength and conviction'
ANOTHER SIDE TO BUSH: As the Republican National Convention focused on themes of compassion, the president's advisers had another goal in mind: to put a more human face on a wartime president portrayed by opponents as stubborn, reckless and insensitive.
The Washington Post: The GOP's challenge: Softening the edges
ROMNEY'S BUZZ: Governor Mitt Romney does not have many connections to Iowa. He is a Michigan native with roots in Utah and Massachusetts. But yesterday, he sought to make clear just how fond he is of the state that hosts the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.
The Boston Globe: As busy as a candidate, Romney stirs buzz
HUNDREDS ARRESTED: A series of demonstrations rippled across Manhattan last night when protesters tried to converge on the Republican National Convention, as a day of planned civil disobedience erupted into clashes with police officers and led to the arrest of more than 900 people.
The New York Times: At least 900 arrested in city as protesters clash with police
KERRY BASHING WELCOME: The word to Republican speakers at the national convention is that bashing John Kerry is fine. Unlike Democrats, who put out word that they were editing speeches to tamp down on harsh criticism of President Bush at their convention in Boston in July, the Republicans are not shying away from full-throttle engagement.
The Washington Times: Kerry bashers unleash barbs with no limits
FLORIDA FIGHT: Democrat Betty Castor and Republican Mel Martinez captured Senate nominations for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, opening a competitive fall campaign that could determine the balance of power in the Senate.
The Associated Press: Martinez, Castor to face off for Florida seat
GAY MARRIAGE: In several critical swing states, the conservative push to amend state constitutions and ban gay marriage is giving delegates and party officials a way to lure a group of voters -- especially traditional churchgoers -- who could tip these states to President Bush.
The Associated Press: Gay marriage could affect swing state vote
ZELL SELLS: Sen. Zell Miller is the Democrat Republicans love to love. The folksy firebrand who electrified Democrats at their convention here 12 years ago as Bill Clinton's keynote speaker, only to turn on his party with a vengeance, is returning to center stage as keynoter for Bush on Wednesday night, and Republican delegates can't seem to thank him enough.
The Washington Post: Zell Miller: A Democrat who insists his party left him
DEMOCRATIC DOMINANCE: Seldom has a national political party held a nominating convention so deep in enemy territory. From the northern Bronx to Brooklyn's Coney Island boardwalk, from eastern Queens to the liberal fortress of Manhattan's Upper West Side, New York City is wall-to-wall Democrats.
The Washington Times: New York's Democratic dominance dates to 1830s
