Politics aside, the Republican National Convention here in St. Paul is a much more pleasant experience than the Democratic National Convention was in Denver, a least for reporters that is.

There are more and better food choices near the workspace, a workspace that is connected to the convention hall as compared to trailers in a parking lot.  The arena concourses are bigger and so are the suites where we do live shots.   There are cabs waiting outside the gate where you could find none in Denver. 

In another contrast, volunteers from the host committee are inside and outside the hall and they are not only friendly, but helpful.

The social scene is a big part of any national political convention and this week’s gathering in Denver is no different.  That’s why some in the Indiana delegation to the Democratic National Convention questioned the reason why Chairman Dan Parker missed this morning’s breakfast meeting.

Parker says he was legitimately ill and says the altitude may be a factor. 

For others in search of a fast cure there is a bar in the corner at the Indiana breakfast meetings stocked with screwdrivers and bloody Marys.  For the record, it doesn’t get much business.

The fashions here at the Democratic National Convention in Denver range from stylish to outlandish but two members of the Indiana delegation stand out for other reasons.

David Sanders appeared on the floor of the convention last night wearing tattered work gloves.  Sanders says he wore the gloves while taking part in an archaeological dig in Israel and the leader of the dig insisted that he wear them at the convention.  I wonder what I can talk him into?

Bill Crawford shows up everyday in a monochromatic outfit.  Everything matches, the shoes, the pants, the shirt, and the Obama ‘08 cap that tops it off every day.  Monday was white, Tuesday was orange, today is blue.

There’s a lot of talk here in Denver about how this might not be the best city to host a national political convention.   Cabs are hard to find and cab drivers don’t know how to get close to the perimeter at the Pepsi Center.  That’s the kind of thing host committees should instruct them on.  Our cab driver last night promised to stay out of downtown for the rest of the week.

Delegates complain about a shortage of shuttle buses and long walks through the crowded downtown, a downtown that can’t handle the traffic load this week.   There are host committee volunteers posted here and there but they are sometimes ill informed.

On the plus side, the Pepsi Center works and the weather is nice.