Palin: I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq.

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It's Bayh's first appearance on the show and it comes a day after he addressed the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The Hoosier state ranked second nationally for business filings per 1,000 residents, behind only Michigan, which has been hurt by a shift in auto manufacturing from large cars and trucks to more fuel-efficient vehicles.

For individual filings in the 12 months that ended June 30, Indiana ranked eighth nationally per capita, behind first-place Tennessee.

For bankruptcy filings of all types, Indiana ranked fifth nationally per capita, behind Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Nevada.

In the moments after U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., took a turn in the national limelight with a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, local Democrats in Denver said they felt all those things for the state's junior senator.

"Disappointment, because I believe (the vice-presidential nomination) was something he would like to have had and was well-prepared for, and relief because he's going to stay our senator," said Anthony Long of Boonville, chairman of the 8th Congressional District Democratic Party.

"Pride, because all of us would have liked to have seen him have the opportunity to run for vice-president - but everyone believes he will move up into the national scene," Long continued. "He's clearly a national figure."

As Biden prepared, Sen. Hillary Clinton officially released her delegates this afternoon, freeing them to back Obama at the formal roll call vote of Democratic delegates.

So far, this convention has been fascinated by the Clintons. And Biden's task will be complicated by former president Bill Clinton, who will precede him to the podium here.

Clinton is expected to follow the lead of his wife in backing Obama, and to take her criticism of McCain still further.

"Tonight will be interesting theater," quipped Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter this morning. "Bill Clinton is still such a grand political figure, nationally and internationally."

The PAC's state committee of trustees considered Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democrat Jill Long Thompson, but neither received the two-thirds vote needed to gain the endorsement.

One of the first things that struck me was the overwhelming police presence.  There seems to be a police officer covering every square inch of this city.  Cops on bikes. Cops on horses.  Cops with dogs.  Cops trying to look like they're not cops.  You probably couldn't illegally download a song without the authorities at your door in 15 seconds.  And it's hot.  Very hot. Not humid Indiana hot but dry desert hot.

Wandering the streets, your definitely notice the friendly nature of the people here.  There seems to be a palpable sense of history in the air and everyone is caught up in it.  While at the Rockies game (who played the Reds), I sat next to someone from the DSCC and without knowing each other, spent the next three hours talking about how excited we were to be here and what we wanted take away from the experience.  

Its about 3/4 of a mile from Coors Field to the Pepsi Center and the route goes through an old part of Denver.  Denver is on a more advanced track of what Indianapolis is experiencing right now; old downtown buildings are being converted into condos/luxury apartments and such. About five blocks out from the Pepsi Center, the security starts to get pretty intense.  Street traffic is diverted and every other person has a credential of some sort hanging around their neck.  You start to get the feeling as you cross the street leading toward the Pepsi Center that you need not even attempt to get near the place unless somebody important knows your name and life story.  

All pedestrian traffic into the the Pepsi Center is diverted into a very few entry points.  The checkpoints are thorough and the lines are long.  No one is immune.  There were several people in the line on their cell phones explaining how they couldn't believe that they were having to wait so long.  A whole lot of "...don't they know who I am/work for?" going on.   I'll be interested to see how that situation develops once you have thousands of delegates waiting in the hot Denver sun.

The nightlife is unbelievable.  There were two parties main parties going on Sunday evening: Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crow at the Red Rocks outside of Denver and the Blue Dog Party at Mile High Station.  I made it to the Blue Dog Party and, having never been to an exclusive Hollywood party, I'd guess that this is kind of what it looks/feels like.  Fancy invites, everyone dressed to the nines and high quality complimentary food and beverages.  Inside people were mingling and meeting up with people they hadn't seen in a while or groups that very clearly knew each other.  There was quite a bit of networking going one in a flurry of business card exchanges but after a while, people just seemed intent on mingling.  Outside KT Turnsstall was performing in the packed patio section.

That was the first day in a nutshell.  And now, let the games begin.

[...]

Let's be clear: Julia would never, not in a million years, have supported Mitch Daniel's bid for reelection. It's no secret that André Carson, Julia's grandson and successor in the House, has put his full, enthusiastic support behind Daniels' Democratic opponent, Jill Long Thompson. While Julia and Mitch were publicly cordial, they couldn't be more different in their approach to government and politics. Julia was a tireless advocate for all of Indiana's citizens. Daniels, first as OMB Director for the Bush Administration and now as Indiana Governor, has been a tireless advocate for the wealthy and multinational corporations. His administration's disastrous record on providing services to low-income citizens stands in stark contrast to so much of the community activism Julia ran out of her home - activism which took as its focus making sure government was responsive to even the poorest and most marginalized Hoosiers.

Daniels: For the absolute minimum amount of time. If I could get out of it altogether, I would. I'm going to go for one day, then back to the work that really absorbs all of my attention right now, which is not national, it's about our building a better state.