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We just received the latest from liberal Sam Smith's Progressive Review, with Smith's latest "Notes" on the Democrat Convention. Here are some of his observations: "Next time let's try to get Ron Reagan Jr to sound a little less like a trial lawyer and that trial lawyer to sound a little less like Ron Reagan Sr." "Edwards reminded me of one of those attorneys where you want to acquit the defendant just because he got stuck with such poor counsel." "Can we round up a few more people who look like Edwards' parents? That crowd on the convention floor isn't...

BOSTON -- It's John Kerry's convention, but Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton are stealing his opening-night thunder. Forceful, charismatic and controversial, the Clintons are the most sought-after stars in the Democratic Party, reminders of White House glory days and an administration willing to wage fierce fights with Republicans. On Monday night, the Clintons will give prime-time speeches to rouse Democrats and lure undecided voters for the tough race against President Bush. The only problem is that Kerry may suffer by comparison, making Democrats wistful for a more dynamic candidate, one who doesn't have to struggle so hard to connect with...

BOSTON – A convoy of mobile command centers will be ready to respond at this year's Democratic National Convention if communication systems in the city of Boston shut down. If something suspicious occurs around federal buildings, 75 wireless cameras will be able to zoom in on the details - perhaps a birthmark on a face, or the last number on a license plate. And random bag and package searches - by police, bomb-sniffing dogs, or even small robots - will protect the land, while by sea, the US Coast Guard will use radar and special infrared imaging to monitor unauthorized...

How is it possible for the Democratic National Committee to make such absolutely horrendous mistakes like a national Kerry-Edwards fund-raiser at the Whoopi Goldberg Filth Festival? Whoopi has been dropped from all ads for Slim-Fast. From Albany, N.Y., the Associated Press reports another major error, which had to be corrected by Sen. Kerry himself: The former chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Party on Wednesday called it "a total outrage" and "very stupid" that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has not been offered a prominent speaking role at the Democratic National Convention. "It's a slap in the face, not personally...

Jack Ryan will not be the next Senator from Illinois ... and the Democrats seem confident that no other Republican will, either. At least, John Kerry seems confident. Because even thought the DNC has not picked a keynote speaker for the convention in Boston, Kerry recently let slip that he couldn't wait to hear the voice of Barack Obama - formerly Jack Ryan's Democratic rival for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat - "First at our convention, where he's going to have an opportunity to speak in a few weeks, and then on the floor of the United States Senate," said...

Kerry to Accept Nomination in Boston To: National Desk Contact: Stephanie Cutter of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000; Web: http://www.johnkerry.com WASHINGTON, May 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- John Kerry issued the following statement today on accepting the Democratic Party nomination: "Boston is the place where America's freedom began, and it's where I want the journey to the Democratic nomination to be completed. On Thursday, July 29, with great pride, I will accept my party's nomination for President in the City of Boston. From there we will begin our journey to a new America. "Boston is my home. It is where...

In November 2002, Boston-ians celebrated winning a bid to host the Democratic National Convention. Eighteen months on, many Boston taxpayers are trying to remember why they wanted that quadrennial prize so badly. The event, in July this year, was meant to shower $150m in economic benefits on the area, but is shaping up to be the costliest political convention in US history. Suffolk University's Beacon Hill Institute said the loss will almost certainly exceed $35m, the amount Los Angeles spent to host the 2000 convention, which at the time set a record. "We'll probably see the amount go up to...