We've been watching, for some time, this story about Florida, which was stipped of half of its delegates because it moved its nominating processes up too early, against RNC rules.

Last week, Senator John McCain said he wants to try and restore the full delegation to the Republican National Convention, though he can't guarantee the results.

"Obviously I have a big influence, but I can't dictate it," McCain said in an interview with The Tampa Tribune.

"But I certainly have made my feelings known to people who are going to be on those committees," he said, meaning national Republican Party committees that will meet during the convention and control delegate seating.

At this point, this story has lost steam. It was interesting--and relevant--when there was a possibility of a brokered convention, however slight. But now, it's just a squabble of party politics between eager-beavers who want to pay their $2,000 or more to attend the most consistent--and perhaps rabid--political ritual of its kind, and an organization of die-hard politicos that can be stodgy and belligerent. Rules are rules, but parties are parties, should they miss it because they broke the rule? Perhaps. But at this point, the only people who care are the half who would have to sit the thing out.

It's tought, when you're a Democrat, and you can't keep your heroic politicians straight. There are, after all, so many to choose from. Politics West, the blog of The Denver Post, has a great little story, about such an event.

When you think of Democratic icons, Roosevelt certainly comes to mind.

Just not Teddy Roosevelt.

A website — www.denverdncgear.com — that sells apparel and other items for the Democratic National Convention features a water bottle wrap with what are supposed to be historical images from the 1908 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

But the politician seen riding in an automobile is none other than Teddy Roosevelt, one of the Republican Party's greatest icons.

Woops.

With much fanfare, Obama accepted his party's nomination at the Excel Energy Center, the site of course of the GOP convenetion.

Matt Burns, the spokesman of the GOP convention had this to say:

"The Xcel Energy Center hasn't hosted anyone who skates and flips as much as Sen. Obama since the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were in town and the Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the hockey playoffs. We look forward to Sen. McCain's visit to Saint Paul in September, where he will accept our party's nomination and offer a far more substantive vision for leading America forward than the spectacle witnessed tonight."

The Power Line guys had some interesting comments about the Big Speech:

Barack Obama's skillful speech in St. Paul last night followed the rich text that had been released before he delivered it. Thematically, it recalled JFK's inaugural address, invoking generational change and offering up Obama as its bearer. Whereas JFK's speech framed generational change defending and advancing liberty around the world, Obama's generational change holds up the causes of retreat abroad and unlimited government at home. The challenges outlined by Obama are to be addressed by government programs in which citizens become clients of the welfare state, as early in life as possible.

His analysis goes further and includes a sardonic suggestion for a stump speech. Read the whole thing.

Meanwhile, Marc Ambinder's got bad news for Obama:

Matt Burns, the spokesman for the GOP convention in St. Paul e-mails to say that the RNC's convention office in St. Paul has received numerous telephone calls in the last few hours from people who identify themselves as Clinton supporters asking how they can help Sen. McCain.

In my humble opinion, Clinton would have been easier to beat but since Obama's the nominee to beat, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get moving.

The Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey, and the Chairman of the Republican National Convention, Mike Duncan, held a conference call a few minutes ago to discuss Barack Obama's visit to Minnesota tomorrow. They each made short opening statements and took questions from the press. Neither veered, either at the beginning or during the Q & A's, much from their talking points that there is a "stark contrast" between Senator Obama and Senator McCain.

Here's a brief rundown of the call, I'm paraphrasing the majority of it as I wasn't able to get down, exactly what was said word for word. At the beginning, Carey welcomed everyone and made a few remarks about making people see how liberal Obama is. Chairman Duncan said this election will be about "judgment," he mentioned a few differences and, again, the "stark contrast" between the two candidates.

The Q & A's with the press:

Rachel Stassen-Berger, of the St, Paul Pioneer Press asked (again, I'm paraphrasing): What makes you think Minnesota is a winnable state for republicans?

Chairman Carey: The stark contrast is favorable for us, we have to make sure we can communicate the difference.

Someone from the AP, who's name, unfortunately, I didn't catch: Is the choice of the Xcel Energy Center for this speech significant since that is where the convention will be held? (Or maybe it was, how is the choice of venue significant).

Chairman Duncan: it means we chose the right city and the right state. The important thing is, though, that we will nominate McCain there in less than 100 days.

Chairman Carey: "It's an encouraging sign for us."

Bill Warner, Minnesota news Network: If MN is such a crucial battleground state, does this mean Pawlenty should be McCain's choice for running mate?

Duncan: I've been involved in this before and McCain has a good process in place and lots of people deserve to be considered. Pawlenty is one of those who deserves to be considered.

Bob von Sternberg, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Unfortunately I didn't hear this question well at all. I believe he said something about the physcial presence of Barack Obama at the Xcel?

Carey: We want to make sure people understand the sharp contrast between Obama and McCain.

Tom Scheck, MPR: Show us more specifically what you mean when you say the state may be moving more Republican?

Carey: Dems have taken Minnesota for granted for a long time, back in 2000 and 2004, we came very close to voting for Bush. The momentum is moving toward Republicans. Encouraged that many Minnesotans are not the far-left liberals that Obama represents.

Tom Hauser, KSTP to Chariman Duncan: The policy debate at home has contrasted Clinton and Obama. How anxious are you to contrast policies of McCain and Obama. Can it close the gap?

Duncan: "We're very anxious to start that debate. There's a stark contrast between the two nominations. We think McCain appeals to Independents and Democrats." Mentioned taxes in Minnesoa. People should see John McCain is prepared on day one to be commander in chief.

Eric Eskola, WCCO radio: Do you have a sense McCain will have a public event when he comes here for a fundraiser June 19th?

Carey: Details on 19th are being worked out. Because MN is a battleground state, we won't be surprised if we see him here campaigning 'multiple times.'

In all, it seemed to be a typical political conference call. I'm unsure of what the actual point was except I suspect, to try and use the Obama visit to create more momentum and excitement around McCain (since there seems to be so little). If that was the goal, I'm not sure it was entirely successful only because the catch phrase, "stark contrast" was repeated over and over, instead of specific talking points about what the actual contrast between the candidates is (though Chairman Duncan did review a couple of those at the beginning, very briefly).

Also, I think Obama is attempting to show some bravado by going right to the place where we are holding our convention. He is stepping up to the plate, puffing up his chest and saying, almost like a bully would get in the face of the nerdy kid at school: "I'm not afraid to step onto your territory and get into a fight." Not to mention the fact that he believes he's got Minnesota in his back pocket.

Our response? "There's a stark contrast between the candidates." Slightly lame, but then, what else can the RNC say on a quick phone call? I'm not sure if I have a great answer to that myself.