If you not only want to come to to the convention but look, err, fashionable while in attendence, never fear, your convention-logo-laden gear, is here. The official convention merchandise for the upcoming convention was unveiled at a fashion show at the Mall of America yesterday.

The fashion show featured a variety of nonpartisan, bipartisan and Convention logo merchandise including polos, T-shirts, jackets, hats, ties and more. In addition, a commemorative Convention T-shirt featuring a hand-painted, watercolor effect of the Twin Cities skyline was also unveiled. The official merchandise was worn by local dignitaries including Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and event emcees Maria Cino, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 2008 Republican National Convention; and Cyndi Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee.  FM107’s Polichicks – Annette Meeks (a Republican) and Cathie Hartnett (a Democrat, who sported a T-shirt “Democrats for the Republican National Convention”) also participated in the event.

Gear will be available in several places throughout the cities including the airport and the Mall of America. And also online at www.msp2008.com and www.civicfest.org.

Republican National Convention Coordinator, Doug Goodyear resigned Saturday after a report that his lobbying firm used to represent the military regime in Myanmar.

In a statement released today, Goodyear said:

"Today I offered the convention my resignation so as not to become a distraction in this campaign. I continue to strongly support John McCain for president, and wish him the best of luck in this campaign."

In what can only be described as a ridiculous (or just naive?) move to give those pesky would-be protesters some easy transportation, a Fortune 500 health insurer called Humanw will provide 1,000 bikes to the Twin Cities to be used during the Republican National Convention, and then leaving 75 behind for a "permanent bike-sharing initiative."

Apparently this program, Freewheelin, was in place in St. Paul in the 90's but went bust when the honor system failed and bikes disappeared.

To use a Freewheelin cycle, participants would register with credit cards to ensure that they don't make off with the bikes, which otherwise are expected to be free to use. They then can go online, too, to track how many miles they've logged and calories they've burned.

Humana also is making 1,000 bicycles available to Denver during the Democratic National Convention, in turn giving Denver and the Twin Cities the opportunity to join Washington at the forefront of communal two-wheel initiatives.

I highy doubt delegates, members of the media, lobbyists and donors or going to be trucking around the Cities pedaling two wheelers. The Host Committee has prepared bus transportation for delegates and their guests. So really, it's a great opportuntiy for onlookers and protesters to take advantage of.

Minnesota Public Radio an interesting article about businesses who might not fair well when the GOP Convention is in town.  Some businesses like Wescott Station Antiques think the conventioneers will want to kill time by shopping in their store.  But other store owners are not as optimistic about a pick up in business:

"Everyone loves Cossetta's, it seems. The restaurant's walls are covered with autographed photos of Frank Sinatra and other celebrities complimenting Cossetta's on its cuisine.

But manager Ray Vanyo doesn't expect the convention will give Cossetta's much of a boost. Vanyo figures convention-goers will likely hit ritzier restaurants.

'We are a little bit more laid back. We're not as upscale as some of the other restaurants,' said Vanyo. 'And people that are going to a convention are generally going to go to those types of places, because they are bringing people out to dinner.'"

It is true that delegates and their guests are swooned by big corporations that will sponsor events at venues like Kincaid's, W.A. Frost, and the 112 Eatery, but many of the 10,000 volunteers, 15,000 credentialed press and the plethora of protesters will look to establishments like Cosetta's to get them through the week. 

The article goes on to spotlight a Bush-Hater, Scott Cramer, owner of Northern Sun Merchandising who makes his money by selling anti-Bush pins and buttons. 

"Cramer expects to find thousands of customers among the protesters heading for the Twin Cities. And maybe he'll make some sales to convention delegates, too. Cramer says a lot of the messages on his merchandise are pretty mainstream."

Ah, capitalism.  I hope Cramer makes a million using an economic system he no doubts hates.