From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
DENVER, Colo -- Hillary Clinton kicked off her much-anticipated speech here at the Democratic National Convention with a call for unity and some sharp words for John McCain.

"I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud New York Democrat. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama," Clinton began.

"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. ...Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines. This is a fight for the future. And it's a fight we must win.

"I haven't spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women's rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people.

"And you haven't worked so hard over the last 18 months, or endured the last eight years, to suffer through more failed leadership.

"No way. No how. No McCain.

"Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President."

She later called McCain her "friend" who "has served our country with honor and courage. But we don't need four more years of the last eight years."

And she was just getting started.

"John McCain says the economy is fundamentally sound. John McCain doesn't think that 47 million people without health insurance is a crisis. John McCain wants to privatize Social Security. And in 2008, he still thinks it's okay when women don't earn equal pay for equal work.

"With an agenda like that, it makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart." 

*** UPDATE *** The McCain campaign responded, seizing on Clinton not explicitly saying Obama was ready to be Commander-in-Chief: "Senator Clinton ran her presidential campaign making clear that Barack Obama is not prepared to lead as commander in chief," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said. "Nowhere tonight did she alter that assessment. Nowhere tonight did she say that Barack Obama is ready to lead. Millions of Hillary Clinton supporters and millions of Americans remain concerned about whether Barack Obama is ready to be President."

From NBC's Abigail Williams
Wake Up America!

Never failing to provide a good show, Dennis Kucinch did not disappoint tonight. He gave what may be the most lively performance yet at this year's Democratic National Convention.

Dedicating his speech to Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Kucinich started with a heavy attack on the current administration that only became more blunt as the speech continued.

"Tens of billions of dollars in cash and weapons disappeared into thin air at the cost of the lives of our troops and innocent Iraqis while all of the president's oil men are maneuvering to grab Iraq's oil."

Lines like, "money to start a hot war with Iran, now we have another cold war with Russia," left far more of the audience in laughter than serious contemplation, but that did not stop Kucinich from continuing his rampage.

"The pharmaceutical companies took over drug pricing, wake up America! The speculators took over Wall Street, wake up America! They want your social security, wake up America!"

Obama's name was dropped only once during the speech, but the energy behind Kucinich belied a ringing endorsement. All 5-7 of his stature flew up and down on the stage as he yelled, "Up with healthcare for all! Up with education for all! Up with home ownership! Up with guaranteed retirement benefits! Up with peace! Up with prosperity! Up with the democratic party! Up with Obama/Biden! Wake up America! Wake up America!"

From MSNBC.com's Tom Curry
One of the de luxe places to be downtown at this convention is the chic Monaco Hotel on and its northern Italian restaurant Panzano, where Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware was settled in a banquette, receiving friends and allies late Tuesday afternoon. The place was jammed with Democratic financiers and friends of the party, the same people you see at every Democratic convention every four years.

The new era may give you "change you can believe in," but one thing that is not likely to change is the power of the trial lawyers within the Democratic Party. 

The American Association of Trial Lawyers of America -- rechristened as the American Association for Justice -- had a very well-attended reception Tuesday evening downstairs at the Monaco.

In our 10 minutes mingling with guests, we spotted eight House members, including Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers and Judiciary Committee members Betty Sutton, Steve Cohen and Adam Schiff.

We also saw three senators, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, as well as former New Hampshire governor and current Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen, and Gov. Martin O'Malley of Maryland.

We asked one Democratic House member from Connecticut, who was in attendance but asked to not be quoted by name, whether he would be flying to the Twin Cities to represent the Democrats at the Republican convention.

"No," he laughed, "Connecticut will already be well represented there!" That led to a spirited debate on sidewalk outside the Monaco the question of whether John McCain really would pick Joe Lieberman as his running mate. Consensus: no, he just couldn't.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
Sen. Bob Casey went right after John McCain and unveiled a new line of attack, sure to be repated -- and already used by keynoter Mark Warner.

"Four more months" may become a new mantra in Campaign '08 for the Democrats.

"The people of Pennsylvania can't afford four more years of Bush-Cheney economics, and with John McCain, that's exactly what we'd get," Casey said. "John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick."

And later: "The Bush-McCain Republicans inherited the strongest economy in history and drove it into a ditch. They cut taxes on the wealthiest of us and passed on the pain to the least of us. They ran up the debt, gave huge subsidies to big oil companies, and now they're asking for four more years. How 'bout four more months? We can't afford four more years of deficit and debt, drift and desperation. Not four more years. Four more months." 

Casey's father, who was an anti-abortion rights governor from Pennsylvania, was denied a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in 1992 reportedly for wanting to address abortion. The Clinton campaign at the time maintained it was because he did not initially get behind the Clinton-Gore ticket. And tonight, Casey made mention of abortion, and Obama's handling of the subject -- despite their differences.

"Obama and I have an honest disagreement on the issue of abortion. But the fact that I'm speaking here tonight is testament to Barack's ability to show respect for the views of people who may disagree with him.

"I know Barack Obama. And I believe that as president, he'll pursue the common good by seeking common ground, rather than trying to divide us. We are strongest when we are together. And there has never been a more important time to devote ourselves to common purpose."

Per NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
BILLINGS, Mont. -- Obama will watch Hillary Clinton's convention speech with a local family here, the campaign said.

He watched keynoter Mark Warner's speech from his hotel.

Obama last night watched wife Michelle's speech with a family in Kansas City, Mo. Might we see another cameo?

From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
DENVER -- Live from the floor...
Spotted: Patti Solis Doyle and Howard Wolfson exchanging enthusiastic waves across the floor. Guess no heard feelings...

From MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski
Obama campaign Chief Strategist David Axelrod insisted in a brief phone interview with NBC News that all this talk of friction with Clintons is "B.S."

He says the Clintons have been completely open and on board with full support for Obama. Hillary Clinton is giving the campaign full access to what she plans to say, Axelrod said, adding that they will not be surprised by her speech.

Asked if Bill Clinton's is showing them his speech as well, Axelrod said it's not written yet.

Asked if they were worried that there was not more of a gap in the polls, he said he does not care about the Daily Gallup Tracking poll -- that have their own data and are happy with what they see.

From NBC's Pete Williams
The U.S. attorney in Denver says the reported discussions about a plot to kill Sen. Obama were made by some of the suspects and their girlfriends while they were all taking methamphetamine.

"These were hateful, bigoted threats but made by meth heads, abusers, all of whom were impaired at the time and cannot be corroborated," said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.  There's a difference, he said, "between a true threat and the racist rantings of drug abusers."

Court documents say the first report of a threat came from a girlfriend of one of the men who attended a meth party in a Denver hotel room, the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. One of the men told her (erroneously) that "Obama had a suite on the third floor of the hotel." 

One person present talked about trying to hide a gun in a camera. There were references to a "grassy knoll." And while one of them has admitted to investigators that he made threatening statements about Obama in the past, investigators are not certain that the effects of the meth the men were taking had even yet fully worn off.

Investigators also say they have found no evidence of any plot -- no maps, no documents, no lists. One official says a laptop computer was found in a search belonging to one of the men, but it contained no such evidence, either.

For now, prosecutors say they're "keeping an open mind" about the case but have yet to find any credible evidence of a threat.

From NBC's Cherelle Kantey
DENVER -- Last night, in another effort to fan the flames of tension between Obama and Clinton supporters, the Republican National Committee held a "Happy Hour for Hillary,"

About 75 people floated in and out of the hip Paramount Café here to share drinks and trade viewpoints. The mostly female crowd of Hillary supporters flanked in Hillary buttons and "Nobama" stickers were willing to share their woes with all who would listen.

"We worked hard together," said Kathy Archuleta, who recalled making numerous phone calls as a volunteer and loaning the campaign money. "It couldn't have been very easy for her to just drop it."

Wearing a brown T-shirt with "Hillary" written across it in blue, Archuleta said she was outraged that Sen. Clinton's historic run for the presidency ended in heartbreak. "Women are realizing we're not being recognized. We're being treated like second-class citizens."

Among the crowd of middle-aged women stood Wayne Singleton, an African-American male, who said he can't throw his support behind Sen. Obama because of flaws in the nominating system. Singleton, an organizer for People of Color PUMAS, said that since Obama didn't win the popular vote during the primary season, he is prepared to protest the DNC's decision by voting for John McCain. (Actually, Obama won the popular vote by almost every metric, except for the one that counted Hillary Clinton's vote in Michigan, where Obama wasn't on the ballot.)

"As a protest, I'm telling the DNC that I'm not going to reward you for a process that's flawed, and for pushing a candidate that's experienced out," Singleton said, noting that adding Biden to the ticket doesn't complement Obama's lack of foreign policy experience. "Joe Biden is not going to put experience into someone who's not experienced."

The most passionate was Robin Carlson, who said she is furious that people have let their admiration for Barack Obama outweigh his lack of experience. "This is a country. This isn't who's your favorite rock star," said Carlson. "This is serious business."

An organizer for GrassrootsforHillary.com, Carlson has already started contributing funds for a 2012 Hillary campaign, because she said she is so angry about the DNC decision to name Sen. Obama the presumptive Democratic nominee. (But the DNC never named Obama the presumptive nominee; in fact, he won more pledged delegates than Clinton did.)

"It's beyond anger. I'm despondent," said Carlson, while sipping her white wine. "There's a great sadness that the party I belong to is operated in a way that's not democratic."

Carlson also shared an emotional story about surviving uterine cancer, and how her battle with cancer made her identify closely with Sen. Clinton's fight for the White House. "I entered this year writing my own funeral plans," Carlson said tearfully. "When I saw Hillary fight, I said 'if she can fight, then so can I.'"

By the end of the night, the party emptied out and one Obama delegate trickled in. Brian Spittler, a 24-year old delegate from Utah, didn't seem too bothered by the angry Hillary supporters, or even the McCain campaign representatives decked out in McCain T-shirts, drinking beers in the corner.

"The story is overblown," said Spittler. "Some people are hurt but by and large everyone is coming together."

From MSNBC.com's Lauren Vicary
DENVER -- Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama ran into each other backstage at the Emily's list event this afternoon.

Chelsea was with Hillary, and the three of them chatted for about five minutes until HRC was pulled away to give her speech.

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
DENVER, CO -- Anna Burger is on her fourth draft in six days.

Burger, the secretary-general of the influential Service Employees International Union, is scheduled to make a primetime address tonight in front of an audience of thousands at the Democratic National Convention. She's had a week to prepare her remarks, which will focus on the efforts of labor groups like SEIU to ease the economic strain of working families.

It's a lot to fit in to the three minutes allotted for the speech, she admits. "But I think I've got it down."

Writing a successful convention speech is hardly a walk in the rhetorical park. The delegates on the floor can be antsy, noisy, and inattentive. (Those funny hats and Sly and the Family Stone dance party intermissions hardly make for spellbound audiences.). And delegates are sure to be particularly chatty tonight during the run-up to Hillary Clinton's much-awaited remarks to supporters still not sold on Obama.

But Burger is confident that she's created a succinct message about the power of labor that will resonate with all Democrats. Despite the big challenges faced by unions in an economic downturn that has not been kind to many working families, she says, "Barack Obama is the solution."

The speech wasn't always as condensed as the one that she will deliver tonight. When she started with a first version last Thursday, it clocked in at ten minutes. Draft by draft, she shaved off the extra time, tweaking each phrase for optimal punch. Friday and Saturday saw new evolutions.

"Then I got up early yesterday and rewrote the whole thing," she says, chuckling. "It wasn't really saying what I wanted to say."

The final draft of the speech was approved yesterday by Team Obama, but with minimal edits.

Trimming a message down to 180 seconds wasn't easy, but Burger says that the hard part is over. When the bright lights fire up tonight, she says, "Now all I have to do is get up and say it."

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
DENVER, Colo. -- It's easy here to spot Clinton supporters who are not exactly happy with Obama -- they're the loudest and most colorful.

One such individual, who could certainly be described as a PUMA, was unabashed in her criticism of the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Jeamour Matthew, who apparently has a blog profile here, shouted blatant falsehoods from a 16th St. sidewalk about Obama's youth and policies, threw out inflammatory language like "racist," "liar" and "cheater" to describe the Illinois senator and handed out bright, yellow flyers promoting Hillary Clinton. She described herself as an ardent Clinton supporter and volunteer and said she would never vote for Obama. She would rather vote for McCain, "a real American," she said.

But this sentiment isn't exactly overwhelming, however. Most ignored the woman and some even politely attempted to engage her in a policy debate and correct her "facts" -- unsuccessfully -- before walking away.

"I'm very pragmatic about this process," said Misha Houser, a Clinton pledged delegate from California. "Internal fighting doesn't do us any good."

Houser, who is from Rep. Loretta Sanchez's district, said she is very pleased with Obama and will gladly vote for him in November. She said she is not sure how she'll vote in roll call on Wednesday, in part, because she feels an obligation to represent the will of those she's representing.

But, "We need to keep in mind what the end game is -- keep a level head," she said.

And Houser doesn't blame anyone but the Clinton campaign for losing. She said Clinton's lack of planning between Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 plus that "they didn't pay enough attention to caucuses" is why Clinton lost.

The polite, mild-manner Houser grew frustrated when asked about people like Matthew.

"That's such crap," she said, maintaining the same level tone. "I mean, God, what's the choice? You have someone like McCain who doesn't know what he stands for and someone who works from the grassroots, which is what we're supposed to stand for."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
DENVER, Colo. -- Joe Biden surprised a crowd here as he joined Michelle Obama and female governors for a roundtable discussion of women's issues. Amid continued chatter that former Hillary Clinton supporters are not fully on board with the Democratic ticket, the Delaware senator made a direct pitch to a mostly female audience.

"You know, I know my role," Biden joked as he looked around the stage full of women. "I have been surrounded my whole life by very strong, strong women. … I mean this sincerely: I think you can tell the comfort a man has with women and whether or not he gets it or not by the women, if the women around him are strong."

Relating to some of the stories of the women invited to join the discussion, Biden noted that for a time he was a single parent. And later, after panelists recounted personal battles that involved health care, education and the economy, Biden challenged Republicans to show how they could call themselves a party of values.

"What is the greater obligation of the country -- to give some very, very wealthy people who are good people an additional hundred billion dollars in tax cuts, or provide healthcare for every American, solve every story you've heard up here?" he asked. "I really think you've got to let this sink in, Democrats. This is not something that's beyond our reach. It's all about what your priorities are."

Michelle Obama introduced Biden by calling him a "man who knows firsthand how hard it can be to balance work and family." She also said he led Congress in the fight against domestic violence, and has always been "fighting for us."

"As president and vice president, Barack and Joe will change Washington, so that instead of just talking about family values that we actually have policies that value families," she said.

Biden promised at first to be "very brief," and spoke for nine minutes. But after a full program, he decided to chime in again, going on at length about health care and the importance of appointing the right Supreme Court justices. Despite throwing out red meat, he told the crowd repeatedly not to applaud.

"Remember when you go out there, it's not merely a women's right to choose that at stake," he said. "It's whether or not you're going to be able to demand that you are treated equally in every aspect of your life. … So please help us. Please help us. The country needs Barack Obama as president."

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and NBC's Mark Murray
PHOENIX, AZ -- Speaking before the American Legion National Convention here today, McCain said that it fell upon him to officially welcome the 89-year-old group to his home state. 

"Our governor is out of town, up in Denver for some big party they're throwing there," McCain said, jokingly referring to the Democrat's convention. "I guess my invitation got lost in the mail."

Although the group will hear a video from Obama tomorrow, McCain used his speech today to criticize his opponent's stance on America's role as a superpower. Referring to Obama's speech in Berlin, McCain said that he had a "chance to express such confidence in America" -- but passed it up.

"He was the picture of confidence, but in some ways the confidence in one's self and confidence in one's country are not the same," McCain said.

In fact, in that Berlin speech, Obama expressed plenty of confidence in America. "I also know how much I love America," the Illinois senator said that day. "I know that for more than two centuries, we have strived -- at great cost and great sacrifice -- to form a more perfect union; to seek, with other nations, a more hopeful world... What has always united us -- what has always driven our people; what drew my father to America's shores -- is a set of ideals that speak to aspirations shared by all people: that we can live free from fear and free from want; that we can speak our minds and assemble with whomever we choose and worship as we please."

Also in his speech today, McCain criticized Obama for implying that the United States' involvement in Iraq had not been a good model for Russia, quoting Obama as saying, "We've got to send a clear message to Russia and unify our allies. They can't charge into other countries. Of course it helps if we are leading by example on that point."

"I guess we are left to figure out the rest for ourselves," McCain said before listing off several humanitarian conflicts that Obama could have been referring to.

"If I catch Sen. Obama's drift," McCain continued. "Then our failure to 'lead by example' was the liberation of Iraq. And if he really thinks that, by liberating Iraq from a dangerous tyrant, America somehow set a bad example that invited Russia to invade a small, peaceful, and democratic nation, then he should state it outright -- because that is a debate I welcome."

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
KANSAS CITY -- On his march through battleground states before arriving in Denver, Obama continued to polish his anti-McCain argument here, boiling it down to one simple idea.

"I don't think he realizes what ordinary American families are going through," he said at a town hall at a town hall of about 250 airplane maintenance workers and party activists. "I don't think the Bush Administration understands what ordinary Americans are going through, but I do and that's why I'm running for president of the United States of America."

The event, at a maintenance facility for American Airlines that has lost jobs in recent years, was focused on Obama's plans for the economy and energy. The senator opened by praising his wife Michelle's Monday night convention speech before going on to talk about the challenges families are facing with rising fuel prices and home foreclosures and declining home values.

In Michelle's address last night, as well as in recent remarks by Obama and running mate Joe Biden, the campaign has increasingly sought to portray the first-term senator as a man of the people who will be a fighter for hard-working families and listen to their voices -- an argument that is likely to be part of his acceptance speech on Thursday. 

"Who is gonna be listening to you? Who has been for the last 20 years standing side by side with you? Making sure that unions can organize, making sure that people who don't have health insurance are getting health insurance, making sure that kids can go to college who couldn't go before?," Obama asked. "Who has a track record of fighting for you? 'Cause that's what you need -- you need somebody who every single day gets it."

He used the latest census data out today -- 816,000 people who fell into poverty in 2007 (including 500,000 more children) and the 7 million additional people without health insurance -- to show that the average American family has suffered during the eight years of the Bush Administration.

Obama closed by asking people to pay attention during both the Democratic and the Republican conventions, so that they can make a good decision. But warned that voting for McCain would mean more of the same.

"Over the last eight years, you've been falling behind. Over the last eight years, your lives are less secure," he said. "That's the track record, those are the facts. And John McCain is not promising to do anything different than George Bush did."

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
LITTLETON, CO -- An emotional Joe Biden told members of his home-state delegation this morning the honor of being tapped as the vice presidential nominee "pales in comparison" to the feelings he has for the people of Delaware.

Biden noted that most of his life has been lived in the public arena, since "y'all got me started so young," and thanked the small contingent of delegates for helping him and his family through tragedy.

"I wish we could have done this in private, because you know, I don't know whether I would have made it through a lot of the tough times in my life without you guys," he said. "You're a big deal. The Democratic Party's been my home. The Delaware Democratic Party has been my family."

In brief remarks, Biden also joked that the only reason he accepted the VP nod was "so the Delaware delegation could be moved up front." He said he's used to operating as a "one-man band," but that he was happy to be part of a team, praising the Obamas for the welcome they've felt. In particular, Biden said that Michelle Obama's speech last night would be remembered years from now as a turning point in the campaign.

"Not Barack Obama, not Joe Biden, not Ted Kennedy, but Michelle Obama's speech," he said. "She gave a window to the American people into who she is and what she is and what really goes through her brain. And it was absolutely just incredible and I promise you, it's real."

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
DENVER -- When Hillary Clinton utters the words "Count Me In," unity-focused Democrats might tend to feel their stomachs churn a bit.

Tonight, Clinton happened to be referring to a reception for a women's organization called "Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence," a group that grants support to female-owned microbusinesses.

But the irony was not lost on the senator from New York.

Noting her banter earlier in the day with a colleague who asked about her plans for the first night of the convention, Clinton said that she replied, "I'm going to count me in!"

Per Clinton's story, the friend replied incredulously, "Are you talking about the roll call?"

The joke, which wasn't followed up with a particularly vehement denial from the smiling senator, was met with cheers and giggles from the crowd of several hundred -- mostly women -- who clamored for a glimpse of Clinton at the nighttime event at the Denver Art Museum.

(Yet as the AP reported last night, the Clinton and Obama camps have agreed to limit the roll call vote. "The deal would allow some states to cast votes for both Obama and Clinton before ending the roll call in acclamation for the Illinois senator. Clinton herself may cut off the vote and recommend unanimous nomination of Obama, according to Democratic officials involved in the negotiations.")

Despite the reference to the possible lingering intraparty tensions signaled by the Clinton upcoming roll call vote, the former presidential candidate offered up words of praise both for both a newly-minted political rival and for the wife of one-time opponent Barack Obama. Clinton lauded Obama endorser Senator Ted Kennedy's "fighting spirit" after his surprise appearance at the DNC despite a dehabilitating brain tumor. "And didn't Michelle Obama do a wonderful job tonight as well?" she added.

Without mentioning the name of her former rival and his new vice presidential pick, Clinton also noted the support that the Democratic ticket would have for programs like "Count Me In."

"It's very exciting that we have a chance to elect a president and a vice president who will help us make the dreams of so many Americans come true again," she said.

From NBC's Mike Levine
Two hours after wrapping up her big speech last night, Michelle Obama popped up at an Irish pub in downtown Denver. Some 200 convention-goers, media folks, and political heavyweights were mingling outside Fado Irish Pub, waiting for the famed Second City comedy clan to perform as part of a "Chicago Night in Denver," hosted by Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Sen. Dick Durbin. But Michelle Obama stole the show before Second City even got on stage. The crowd roared with applause when Emanuel and Durbin introduced the special guest.

Reflecting on her speech just hours before, Michelle told the crowd, "This was a great night, not only for the Obama campaign, but for our nation." She added, "Barack and I are going to work hard to make you proud... He is more than ready to be commander-in-chief." But, she told the crowd, "We have to do our part. We need to register voters." She promised that the campaign would  push hard in Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, and other swing states, saying that "when people know who Barack Obama is ... when they know what our family stands for" they'll support him. After only a few minutes on stage, she thanked the crowd and left the party.

The Second City comedians were up next, but Michelle Obama was a hard act to follow. Their half-hour set took aim at a wide swath of targets (the GOP Convention in Minneapolis, site of Larry Craig's dalliance with a police officer, bloggers, immigration opponents, John McCain's Iraq policy, Al Gore), but the set fell flat with most of the crowd, which talked right through it.

As for how Michelle Obama ended up at the event, Emanuel told NBC News that it was her idea -- and a spontaneous one. Emanuel said she had been aware of the party, and her staff "gave us a 30-minute heads up" that she was going to stop by.

Other VIPs spotted at the comedy fest: Sen. Claire McCaskill,, Sen. Mary Landrieu, Sen. Bob Casey, and Senate hopeful Al Franken.

Asked by NBC News whether Democrats or Republicans are funnier, party host Emanuel insisted: "We are! We enjoy life. They don't."

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
DENVER -- For Democratic partisans and those who love feel-good convention moments, it's hard to see how the Republicans could duplicate last night, particularly with first-night speakers George W. Bush and Dick Cheney (then again, they won't try -- instead they'll keep their eye on the Obama ball). While Michelle Obama's speech was the marquee event, and while the Obama girls helped steal the show at the end, there's no doubt there will be at least one address beyond Thursday night that won't be forgotten when the dust settles on this convention. Modern conventions have become more about the speeches than the mechanics of nominating. And given Ted Kennedy's health, his speech will go down as one of the most memorable ever for reasons nobody wants to put in writing. Kennedy's had his share of uncomfortable conventions, but this was not one of them. Yet considering Teddy's history with presidential politics, one wonders what was going on inside the head of tonight's featured speaker, Hillary Clinton, as she was watching Kennedy's reception and the honoring of his legacy. Of the two Clintons, Hillary has always been more adept at believing there's always another chapter to be written.

*** Up-Hil night: The Washington Post's Cocco may have nailed tonight better than anyone today: Hillary can't win. She may not be able to find her Goldilocks moment and strike a "just right" balance tonight of both advancing her own political future and proving that she really does want Obama to win and that she really does believe Obama can be president. Everything in Clinton's speech will be parsed, and not just the words, but her body language. The good news for her, the expectations are very low in this sense. No one expects her to be able to pull this off convincingly. Of course, this isn't the only Clinton night and one wonders given all the Bill drama that's bubbled up over the last 24 hours (particularly over the content of his speech), why Obama chose to give the Clintons two convention nights. Shouldn't Obama have gotten all of this Clinton stuff out of the way tonight? By the way, there is another speech on the docket tonight that is technically labeled the "keynote." Mark Warner, a candidate for US Senate in the swing state of Virginia, has the unenviable task of speaking not just on Hillary night but also having to follow Barack Obama in a sense since Obama was the LAST keynote speaker. In an interview on MSNBC, Warner seemed to hint that his speech would be more in line with Obama's (at least in tone) than, say, an Ann Richards from 1988. 

*** McCain survives night one: As we've noted before, Obama has three goals at this convention: 1) making contrasts with McCain, 2) filling in his biography, and 3) uniting the party. Last night, the convention attempted to begin dealing with all three issues. Early in the evening, viewers were treated to a taste of some anti-McCain speeches; of course, only C-SPAN viewers may have received the full impact of those diatribes. As for the other two goals, between Kennedy and Michelle, the campaign can claim it made progress on unity (don't the Clinton-Obama rifts seem petty after seeing Teddy?) and on biography (Michelle O. was as pitch perfect as she can be in presenting her story, but if there's one critique of her speech is that it was more about her than Barack, but maybe that was the point.)  As for the attempts to contrast with McCain, the GOP campaign and other strategists we've communicated with believe McCain went a lot more unscathed than, say, Obama will be after Night One of the Republican convention. Then again, with Michelle as the marquee speaker, the Dems were never going to go guns blazing the first night. Expect that tonight (which is focused on the economy) and tomorrow (foreign affairs).

*** Stoking the flames: The McCain camp has done an excellent job stoking the Clinton-Obama feud narrative. This morning, the camp is releasing another ad that is supposedly airing in "key states" (translation: maybe it gets a rotation on the noon news today in Denver). Regardless, the aggressiveness the McCain camp is showing against Obama during his convention week is notable. And speaking of the McCain camp, remember when one-time Bush media guru and McCain champion Mark McKinnon decided to step away from the '08 campaign once it became clear Obama would be the Dem nominee? Well, he's back -- sort of. Per NBC's Kelly O'Donnell, McKinnon's helping Cindy McCain with her convention week prep, including a family video. When pressed, the campaign acknowledged that while McKinnon is largely on the strategic sidelines, he does provide occasional advice on the campaign ad efforts. 

*** Today's convention schedule: Tuesday's convention theme is Renewing America's Promise, and it has a focus on the economy and energy. Hillary Clinton gives the primetime speech, and former Virginia Gov. (and current Senate candidate) Mark Warner delivers the keynote address. Check out some of the additional speakers, a slew of folks who aren't afraid of showing off their sharp tongues (yes, Rahm and Eddie, we mean you): Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, former Energy and Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

*** The RNC's response: Mitt Romney and Reps. Eric Cantor, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Marsha Blackburn hold a press conference at the RNC's Denver headquarters at 3:15 pm ET to counter Obama on the economy.

*** Also in Denver: Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama attend an Emily's List gala at 4:300 pm ET… Pelosi and Reps. Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, and Rahm Emanuel talk energy independence at Union Station at 1:00 pm ET… Bill Richardson discusses the Hispanic vote at the Colorado Convention Center at 4:30 pm ET

*** On the trail: McCain begins his day in Phoenix, where he addresses the American Legion and raises money. After that, he heads to a fundraiser in San Diego with the actor Jon Voight. Obama, meanwhile, campaigns in Kansas City, MO.
 
Countdown to GOP convention: 6 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 70 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 147 days
 
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With Hillary Clinton giving tonight's primetime speech, today's coverage is dominated by Clinton-Obama rift stories. The Los Angeles Times: "The big question of the presidential election, says L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, is not whether America is ready for a black president. Rather, he asks, 'Are the Clintons ready?'

More: "Instead, in interviews with delegates and aides to the rival camps, it was clear Monday that tensions have only swelled since the heat of a primary competition fraught with racial, gender and generational differences. Obama backers are frustrated that the Clintons do not seem willing to let go of their 16-year dominance of the Democratic Party, while Clinton aides complained privately that the young presumed nominee is not paying them proper respect -- a tension heightened by the revelation that Obama never seriously considered his rival as a running mate."

But the Washington Post's Ann Kornblut writes that Clinton knew she wasn't being seriously considered for the No.2 slot. "In a private meeting with Sen. Barack Obama after she conceded the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made a request: that he consider her for his vice presidential running mate, but not put her through the charade of being vetted if he was not serious. Obama told Clinton then it was unlikely he would choose her, people familiar with the conversation said. Obama did not want to lead her on and, after campaigning against her for more than a year, already had a sense that their pairing would not be the right fit." 

The New York Times' Healy compares the struggles facing the Kennedy family (personal) vs. the Clinton family (political). "As one political dynasty was celebrating its legacy and ceding the political stage on Monday night, the other dominant family of the Democratic Party was struggling to protect its legacy and accept its own exit from the spotlight. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton had once hoped this convention would be theirs, an exultation of past and future Clinton White Houses. Instead, they were coming face to face with shrunken, supporting roles."

Is Marie Cocco in the Washington Post right? Hillary can't win tonight? "Hillary Clinton will be damned if she looks too methodically perfect, too much the purveyor of practiced routine and not enough the cheery personification of enthusiasm. She'll also be damned if she's too exuberant, too obviously raising her voice in unbridled exhortation for the team. She will either be deemed too cool or all-too-cagily warm."

Below are some bullet points for a few of tonight's marquee speakers:

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
-- Clinton won more than 18 million votes in the ultra-competitive primary against Barack Obama.
-- She won 1,645 delegates to Obama's 1,765. (At last count, Obama had 401 superdelegates to Clinton's 291. More on the counts here. 
-- Clinton grew up in a solidly Republican Chicago suburb. Once a Goldwater Girl, she switched parties in the late 1960s. During the primary, Clinton had a knack for taking on the image of several states -- in Indiana, grew up next door; in Indiana, spent part of her youth in Scranton.
-- Her 1969 college commencement speech was mentioned in Life magazine.
-- Failed Washington, D.C., bar exam.
-- In 1972, Bill and she ran McGovern's presidential campaign in Texas; in 1974, worked for the House Judiciary Committee's special counsel John Doar on the impeachment of Richard Nixon.
-- Named one of 100 Most Influential lawyers by the National Law Journal.
-- In Arkansas, served on boards of Wal-Mart and TCBY.
-- In 2000, Independent Counsel Robert Ray concluded Clinton gave factually false testimony in a sworn deposition, but declined to prosecute her, according to the 2008 Almanac of American Politics.
-- Her failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination was just her third run at public office, including her two successful bids for US Senate.

Mark Warner, keynote
-- The popular former Virginia governor and favored 2008 Virginia Senate candidate speaks on the same night as Hillary Clinton, and in 2006, he was considered the "anti-Hillary" presidential candidate before he decided not to run. He was featured as such on the cover of The New York Times magazine that year.
-- He also raised questions on Hillary's ability to be competitive nationwide in 2006. "I think Senator Clinton can be competitive across the country, but I think one of the things we as a party are going to have to do is look at the ideas on how we get the country back on the right track… We need to not simply look at the personality, but look at the ideas. But I find all across the country there is a real sense that what we as Democrats have to do is not simply be competitive in 16 or 17 states, but actually have candidates that can win all across the country." (Sound familiar, anyone?)
-- Co-founder of the cell-phone company that eventually became Nextel, earning him a personal fortune upwards of $200 million. He's known to joke on stage when a cell-phone interrupts his speeches, "Music to my ears."
-- Ran unsuccessfully against John Warner for the Senate in 1996, but the race was closer than expected at 52%-47%.
-- The Christian Science Monitor profiles Warner before he keynotes today's speech. 

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
-- Her father, John Gilligan, was the Democratic governor of Ohio from 1971 to 1975; her father-in-law, meanwhile, was a Republican member of Congress.
- -First daughter of a governor to be elected governor of a state.
- -Traveled to Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China as governor.
-- Chose a Republican as her gubernatorial running mate in 2002, and replaced him (he had planned to step down) with Mark Parkinson, the former state GOP chair, who switched his registration to Democrat one day before Sebelius made the announcement.
-- Ranked as one of America's five best governors by Time magazine in 2005.
-- Chaired the Democratic Governors Association in 2007.
-- After a tornado struck town of Greensburg in 2007, suggested the National Guard was under-equipped because of the resources going to the Iraq war.
-- Mentioned as a possible Senate candidate in 2010.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
-- Father Bob Sr., who was anti-abortion rights as is his son, was denied a speaking role at the 1992 convention reportedly by Clinton for wanting to speak on abortion. The Clintons said at the time it was because he didn't initially support the Clinton-Gore ticket.
-- Similarly in the 2008 race, Casey bucked the Clintons by endorsing Obama before the Pennsylvania primary.
-- Taught fifth grade and coached eighth-grade basketball in Philadelphia before getting his law degree from Catholic University.

The New York Times: "Senator Edward M. Kennedy, struggling with brain cancer, arrived on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in a triumphant appearance that evoked 50 years of party history as Democrats gathered to nominate Senator Barack Obama for president. Mr. Kennedy's appearance wiped away, at least for the evening, some of the tension that continued to plague the party in the wake of the primary fight between Mr. Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. It also represented an effort by the Obama campaign to claim the Kennedy mantle, and it set the stage for the second part of what was designed to be an emotionally powerful two-act evening: an appearance later by Michelle Obama, who began a weeklong effort to present her husband - and his entire family - as embodiments of the American dream." 

The Washington Post: After an emotional speech by an ailing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the face of the Democratic Party shifted on Monday night to a new generation of leaders, as Michelle Obama opened the Democratic National Convention with a tribute to her husband and a call to the country to listen 'to our hopes instead of our fears,' and 'to stop doubting and to start dreaming.'"

USA Today has more on Michelle's speech: "Michelle Obama, whose husband calls her 'the star' of their family, introduced herself Monday to the Democratic convention in a heartfelt speech invoking the dreams of her father and the hopes of her husband for the nation. 'Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do,' Obama said. 'You treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them."

The Los Angeles Times' Z. Barabak: "For all of the upbeat talk, tensions continued to stir between supporters of the Illinois senator and Hillary Rodham Clinton, threatening the unity that Democrats desperately seek as they face a rugged fight against Republican John McCain. None of that friction was visible, however, during the official program beamed worldwide from the star-spangled inside of Denver's Pepsi Center sports arena. The agenda was clear and two-pronged: Build an image of Obama as an everyman and start ripping McCain apart." 

Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama are six columns wide on the Boston Globe's cover. Headline: "Democrats share their dreams."

The Globe's Canellos: "But Kennedy's speech was much more than a moving acknowledgment of the tribute being paid to him - it was much more than anyone could have expected. It was, in fact, the party's real keynote address - a call to arms that brought together past and present, and set the agenda for all the speeches to follow… He also - and perhaps most importantly - bequeathed the 'dream' of charismatic liberalism that was embodied by President Kennedy to Barack Obama; with the martyred president's daughter at his side, he made it clear that Obama, more than any member of the Kennedy family, would be the future custodian of the Camelot legacy."

Kennedy is also the cover of the NY Post: "Old Lion Roars."

Michelle and a mic-carrying Sasha Obama are on the cover of the NY Daily News: "Love You Dad." Subhead: "Michelle and kids wow 'em on night of high drama at convention."

There hasn't been much of a problem with protestors, but last night there was some violence. "Police in riot gear clashed last night with about 300 protesters about a mile from the site of the Democratic National Convention, and some of the demonstrators were hit with pepper spray." In fact, one of us spoke briefly with one bloodied and bruised teenager on the streets, and he was proud of his wounds -- almost a Fight Club mentality. He wasn't even sure what his cause was, and was seemingly still looking for a fight.

Also in Denver, "Federal authorities are looking into reports that a man arrested with rifles, ammunition, and drugs in his truck may have made threats against Barack Obama, officials said yesterday."

"More details emerging from Denver as we write this in the predawn hours on the now suspected plot to assassinate Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama with a high-powered rifle on national television during his outdoor acceptance speech at Invesco Field Thursday night," the LA Times reports. "Authorities have reported a fourth arrest in the unfolding plot that The Ticket first wrote about here a few hours ago at the end of Monday night's Democratic National Convention events at the Pepsi Center."

Police pulled over a pickup truck for swerving, "But in the rented vehicle of Tharin Gartrell, a 28-year-old convicted felon (see photo), they found two high-powered scoped rifles, ammunition, sighting scopes, radios, a cellphone, a bulletproof vest, wigs, drugs and fake IDs. According to Brian Masss of Denver's KCNC Channel 4, under questioning Gartrell implicated two other men -- Nathan Johnson, who is 32, and Shawn Adolph, who is 33 -- and Johnson's girlfriend, Natasha Gromack. Johnson also reportedly confirmed the plot to FBI and Secret Service interrogators."

According to a new round of Quinnipiac polls, McCain is up by four points in Florida (47%-43%) after trailing in the state last month; Obama is up one in Ohio (44%-43%); and Obama is up seven points in Pennsylvania (49%-42%). These surveys were conducted from August 17-24 - before the start of the Democratic convention.

Per NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy, McCain said this on Leno last night in response to the flap over how many homes he and Cindy own. "You know, could I just mention to you, Jay, and a moment of seriousness. I spent five and a half years in a prison cell, without-I didn't have a house, I didn't have a kitchen table, I didn't have a table, I didn't have a chair. And I spent those five and a half years, because-not because I wanted to get a house when I got out. And you know, I'm very proud of Cindy's father, he was a guy that barely got out of high school, fought in World War II in the Army Air Corps, came home and made a business and made the American dream." 

Also yesterday, McCain accepted the endorsement of Puerto Rican rapper "Daddy Yankee," the Los Angeles Times reports. "McCain built up the suspense by withholding the guest's name at first, but then gave it away, saying, 'One of his most famous songs, I know you're very familiar with: 'Gasolina' ' -- drawing gasps of surprise from the crowd -- and then finally said, 'Well, here he is, Daddy Yankee.' Though McCain has sometimes shown surprising familiarity with rap stars and pop culture references because of the musical tastes of his daughters, it is unlikely that the conservative Republican would have made a point of mentioning the song had he known that the 'Gasolina' lyrics are loaded with sexual references. Although there's some debate about what the word 'gasolina' means in this context, one thing is certain: It's not a petroleum product." And it has nothing to do with off-shore drilling.

NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports on the return of Mark McKinnon to the McCain fold (at least for McCain week). He's helping Cindy McCain with her convention speech, which will occur on the third night of the convention. "Finishing touches" on the speech have been in the works for a couple of weeks. McKinnon describes Cindy McCain as "the best asset (for the campaign) I knew the least about."

McKinnon stepped away from a visible role in the campaign in June after a pledge that he would not craft the advertising campaign against Obama. McKinnon had said he would "not be the tip of the spear" attacking Obama. McKinnon does however offer some ideas and advice to the current McCain ad strategy.

Advisers say Mrs. McCain's remarks will "give a sense of her and who she is."  Mrs. McCain, 54, will add dimension to her husband as a father and an example of service. The McCains have generally avoided discussing their four children on the campaign trail except for acknowledging frequent trail traveler Meghan. When Mrs. McCain introduces her husband at campaign events, she will sometimes briefly reference their two sons now on active duty. Despite the caution they've shown on the stump, advisers say Mrs. McCain is expected to talk about their sons' military service as her reason and motivation in this campaign.  The campaign sought special permission for Jack and Jimmy to attend because their active duty status prevents them participating in political events. They will not be in uniform. The most shy and youngest, Bridget, 17, who was adopted from a Mother Theresa orphanage is also expected to make a rare campaign appearance at the convention.

Sen. John Thune says he won't be McCain's veep. "I would say I'm out of the running," he said Monday.

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
Michelle Obama kept it short tonight, laying out her husband's goals for the future while speaking personally and sometimes emotionally about her parents, her daughters, and her relationship with the man who hopes to become the next president. As she talked about the working class the parents who made it possible for her to go to college and law school and the future she wanted for her children, the subtle undercurrent was a message that her family was like other ordinary American families, with shared values and shared hopes.

She tied her story and her husband's story to the American story and to highlight the importance of hard work -- a word she sprinkled throughout her 20-minute speech -- all part of an effort to introduce Barack Obama, still a relative newcomer to the national stage, to people who are not familiar with him or who may doubt his ability to relate to their concerns.

"What struck me when I first met Barack was that even though he had this funny name and even though he'd grown up all the way across the continent in Hawaii, his family was so much like mine," she said. "He was raised by grandparents who were working class folks just like my parents, and by a single mother who struggled to pay the bills just like we did. And like my family, they scrimped and saved so that he could have opportunities they never had themselves."

She hailed Hillary Clinton for her historic campaign and spoke of Joe Biden as someone who has "never forgotten where he came from, and never stopped fighting for folks who work long hours and face long odds and need someone on their side again."

In her closing, a woman whose patriotism has been questioned by her political opponents, talked about the story she would tell her daughters and that they would pass on about this election, as a way of linking what she and her husband had managed to accomplish, despite their humble beginnings, to what was possible in America, a country she declared she loved.

"They'll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming," she said to applause. "How this time, in this great country -- where a girl from the South Side of Chicago can go to college and law school, and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the White House -- that we committed ourselves, we committed ourselves to building the world as it should be."

The night ended with a warm moment when the Obama family was reunited briefly, albeit electronically. After the speech, Barack Obama appeared via satellite from the living room of the home of Jim and Alicia Girardeau in Kansas City, where he is campaigning, and greeted his wife and two daughters, the younger of which frequently interrupted his brief remarks of congratulations -- asking her father questions like "Daddy, What city are you in?"