Paul Plans His Own Convention

Free-speech advocates blast action ahead of RNC

(NEWSER) - Minnesota county cops raided protest organization sites to stop what authorities called an "anarchist plot" to disrupt the Republican National Convention. The police action triggered an angry response from activists and free speech advocates. Supplied with information from police infiltrators, cops battered down doors and busted five activists in raids in Minneapolis and St. Paul over the weekend, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. More»

Ronstock '08 a poke in the eye for the RNC

(NEWSER) - "Ronvoys" have begun converging on Minneapolis, where Ron Paul supporters plan to gather in a convention near to, but separate from, the Republican hullaboo in St. Paul. Nearly 10,000 anti-war, anti-taxes, anti-big-government, and pro-personal-liberties revelers plan to attend the Rally for the Republic, otherwise known as Ronstock '08, the AP reports. More»

Campaign lays out anti-RNC programs

(NEWSER) - All's fair in the war between conventions, and the Democrats are readying their spoiling machine ahead of the GOP gathering next week, the Swamp reports. An Obama campaign operative’s email lays out the attack Dems will launch from their war room literally across the street from the RNC:

• A mobile billboard (pictured) showing McCain hugging Bush that will follow McCain campaign stops on his way to St. Paul.

Candidates call decision unrelated to president's low ratings

(NEWSER) - Most Republicans in tough Senate races this fall are ducking the GOP convention or have failed to confirm, the National Journal reports. Of those nine candidates in 12 targeted races, none are blaming President Bush's low ratings or John McCain's strained relationship with conservatives. Senators like Ted Stevens and Susan Collins say they must focus on campaigning. More»

A brokered convention is possible, writes Brian Bolduc

(NEWSER) - Are you the kind of political junky who’s just dying to see complete chaos break out at the Republican National Convention? Well, good news: Brian Bolduc at the National Review has broken down the numbers and concluded that it’s actually conceivable—if not especially likely—that we could see a brokered convention, with no candidate reaching the 1,142-delegate threshold to win on the first ballot. More»