The following press release just hit my mailbox a few minutes ago.

Today the Obama Campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced a proposal to establish a special commission to recommend changes to the Democratic Party's rules for delegate selection and presidential primary timing for future presidential cycles. The proposal will be presented to the Convention Rules Committee on Saturday in Denver.

The 'Democratic Change Commission' will address three issues 1) changes to the opening of the window and pre-window, 2) reducing the number of superdelegates and 3) changes to the caucus system. The goal of the commission will be to ensure that no primary or caucus is held prior to the first Tuesday in March of 2012, with the exception of the approved pre-window states, whose contests would be held during February 2012.

"After the 56 contests in this historic primary season, our party is stronger and more energized than ever before -- with millions of new voters participating.  As we look to the future, we must continue to strengthen the process and ensure a fair process in which the diverse voices in our party and our nation have a chance to be heard.  That is the essential role that the Democratic Change Commission can and will play, and we look forward to their recommendations," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean.

"Senator Obama is committed to working towards growing our party, improving our nominating process and ensuring as many people as possible participate in the process. Obama believes the Democratic Change Commission is an important and necessary step to achieving these goals," said Obama Campaign Chairman David Plouffe.

The Democratic Change Commission will be appointed by the new DNC Chairman and will consist of 35 members and two co-chairs. Membership will be divided between men and women and will be geographically and demographically diverse. The Commission shall issue its report and recommendations to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee no later than January 1, 2010. The Commission will be established no later than 60 days after the date of the next election of the DNC National Chair.

On one side of Peachtree Center Avenue, members of Georgia's organized labor community held up "Teamsters for Obama" signs and picketed in front of the Mariott Marquis hotel chanting, "Bush, McCain, Same Thing."  On the other side of the street, anti-war protestors, armed with bullhorns, led several cadences of "McCain says warfare, we say healthcare."

There's no word if John McCain saw or heard any of the demonstrations against his Atlanta visit today but nevertheless, the several dozen protestors gathered downtown this afternoon intended to express their dissent at a John McCain presidency.

Among those in attendance at the protest were state Democratic Party Chair Jane Kidd and state Sen. David Adelman (D - Atlanta) who used John McCain's visit to highlight his ties to controversial Republican Ralph Reed.

"We are here today on the streets of Atlanta with real Georgians who are struggling and need our support. Later today, inside this fancy hotel, John McCain will be meeting with Jack Abramoff's colleague Ralph Reed and other lobbyists to hear about their clients," Kidd said at a press conference directly across the street from most of the protestors.

"Instead of meeting with Georgians and hearing from us about what we need from our country, John McCain has chosen to talk only with people who are giving him thousands of dollars."

In recent days, Ralph Reed and his connections to disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff have been the target of criticisms from Democrats after the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that he had agreed to serve on McCain's "Victory 2008" fundraising team.  Associated Press reports say that "Reed's public relations firm...received $4.2 million from Abramoff to mobilize Christian voters to fight the opening of casinos that could compete with Abramoff's Indian tribe clients."  [Source:  Associated Press, "McCain nets $1.75 million at Reed-linked event", August 18, 2008]

Also, according to the AP, John McCain raised over a million dollars at the "Ralph Reed-linked" event.

(picture courtesy, Democratic National Committee)

In the picture above, Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, David Safavian and former Congressman Bob Ney enjoy a leisurely golf outing in Scotland.  Of the four individuals pictured, only one --Ralph Reed-- hasn't been to jail.

But as DNC Online Organizer Nolan Treadway writes, "[Ralph]Reed escaped the law but his name is more than tainted. He lost the Republican primary for Georgia Lt. Governor in 2006 and has been exposed as a hypocrite for taking money from casinos after previously referring to gambling as 'a cancer.'"  [Source:  Democratic National Committee, "John McCain's Tainted Money", August 15, 2008]

This evening, Ralph Reed is participating in an Atlanta fundraiser for John McCain...

...And JohnnyMac is scheduled to make an appearance.

"I grew up believing an evangelical couldn't be a Democrat."

Those are the words of Duluth resident Jonathan Merritt, 25 years of age and the son of a Baptist preacher, who has started to question the Republican Party.

... in the past year, as the presidential campaign has focused on the country's problems, [Jonathan]Merritt has begun to question the party of his father. There was his recent revelation that "God is green," a mission trip to orphanages in Brazil that caused him to worry about global poverty, an encounter with a growing strain of politically liberal evangelicalism that has taken off online, and a nagging sense that Bush's unpopularity has been an embarrassment to the evangelicals who overwhelmingly voted for him.

"When you look at the political party that has traditionally championed poverty, social justice and care for the least of these, it's not been the Republican Party," said Merritt, who now considers himself an "independent conservative" and is unsure whom he will vote for in November. "We are to honor the least of these above even ourselves. It's very difficult to reconcile totally."  

[Source:  Washington Post, "GOP Loyalty Not a Given For Young Evangelicals", August 15, 2008]

The article goes on to detail Merritt's worries including a concern about the loss of life in Iraq and the toll it is taking on families, economic and environmental issues.

After reading this Washington Post piece about young evangelicals, I'm not so sure John McCain and the Republicans can win over these voters just by running on social issues such as gay marriage and abortion.

Jonathan Merrit still isn't a Democrat, but he's undecided in the presidential race.

...The following comes from Article VIII.C.6 and Article VIII.C.7. of the Call for the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

6.  Nomination of the Democratic Candidate for President: The Permanent Chair shall receive nominations from the floor for the Democratic candidate for the Office of President of the United States in the following manner:

a.  Requests to nominate a presidential candidate shall be in writing and shall have affixed thereto the written approval of the proposed nominee and the name of the individuals who shall be recognized to make the nominating and seconding speeches on behalf of a presidential candidate and shall be delivered to the Convention Secretary at a location as specified by the Secretary no later than 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding the day designated for the commencement of presidential nominations.

b.  Each such request must be accompanied by a petition indicating support for the proposed nominee signed by delegates representing not less than 300 or more than 600 delegate votes, not more than 50 of which may come from one (1) delegation. A delegate may not sign more than one (1) nominating petition for president and for vice president.

c.  The order for nominating presidential candidates shall be determined by the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, the Permanent Chair of the Convention and each presidential candidate, or his or her authorized representative, who qualifies to be nominated pursuant to this section.

d.  Each presidential candidate shall be allowed a total of twenty (20) minutes for the presentation of his or her name in nomination by nominating and seconding speeches, the time to run without interruption from the recognition of the nominator.

e.  Delegates and alternates shall maintain order during and following nominations for the Office of President and demonstrations shall not be permitted.

7. Roll Call for Presidential Candidate:

a.  After nominations for presidential candidates have closed, the Convention shall proceed to a roll call vote by states on the selection of the presidential candidate.

The roll call voting shall follow the alphabetical order of the states with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and the territories treated as states for the purpose of the alphabetical roll call.

b.  A majority vote of the Convention's delegates shall be required to nominate the presidential candidate.

c.  Delegates may vote for the candidate of their choice whether or not the name of such candidate was placed in nomination. Any vote cast other than a vote for a presidential candidate meeting the requirements of Article VI of this Call and Rule 12.K. of the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules shall be considered a vote for "Present."

d.  Balloting will continue until a nominee is selected. The nominee shall become the candidate of the Democratic Party of the United States for the Office of President upon the conclusion of his or her acceptance speech.

The gist of all this is that both Clinton and Obama get 20 minutes each to place their names into nomination.  After the nominating and seconding speeches are concluded, the convention proceeds to a roll call vote of the states until one of the candidates receives a majority of the delegate votes.

Should be fun to watch and I must say that I'm getting that tingling feeling up my leg that Chris Matthews talked about.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder reports that despite the flame wars between supporters of Clinton & Obama on the internet and elsewhere, the Senators from Illinois and New York are very close to an agreement that would allow for Hillary's close to 1900 delegates vote for her on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention.

Reports of strife between negotiators for Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are exaggerated and the two sides are nearing an agreement on how Clinton's delegates will participate in the formal nominating process at the Democratic National Convention, according to advisers to both Democrats.

...within the past week, Clinton advisers informed the Obama team that many of Clinton's staunchest supporters felt strongly that something had to be done, and that Clinton had concluded that, in part for the sake of unity, their wishes ought to be respected.  They heard back immediately: the Obama campaign had always been open to having her name placed in nomination alongside his.

Source:  The Atlantic, "Clinton's Name Likely To Be Placed In Nomination; Agreement Near With Obama Campaign", August 14, 2008

Honestly, since we've learned so much about the Democrats' presidential nomination process, why not finish it.

Why not have Hillary's name placed in nomination with all the pomp and circumstance included; from the nominating & seconding speeches to a loud & boisterous demonstration from all of Hillary's delegates.

Then after the roll call of the states in completed and Barack Obama is over the top, have a prominent Hillary supporter make a motion to suspend the rules and nominate Obama by acclamation.

That way everyone has participated in the process, from start to finish, and we can unite around our Democratic presidential nominee.

Update [2008-8-14 12:22:58 by andrewalker08]:: The Clinton and Obama campaigns just released the following joint statement...:

Since June, Senators Obama and Clinton have been working together to ensure a Democratic victory this November. They are both committed to winning back the White House and to to ensuring that the voices of all 35 million people who participated in this historic primary election are respected and heard in Denver. To honor and celebrate these voices and votes, both Senator Obama's and Senator Clinton's names will be placed in nomination.

"I am convinced that honoring Senator Clinton's historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong united fashion," said Senator Barack Obama.

Senator Obama’s campaign encouraged Senator Clinton's name to be placed in nomination as a show of unity and in recognition of the historic race she ran and the fact that she was the first woman to compete in all of our nation’s primary contests.

"With every voice heard and the Party strongly united, we will elect Senator Obama President of the United States and put our nation on the path to peace and prosperity once again," said Senator Hillary Clinton.

Senator Obama and Senator Clinton are looking forward to a convention unified behind Barack Obama as the Party’s nominee and to victory this fall for America.

Cross-posted at Georgia Politics Unfiltered.

Nearly a week after finding out that her video was one of five selected in the Democratic National Convention/YouTube "Why are you a Democrat in 2008?" contest, 18 year old Lithonia, Georgia resident Morgan Harper is still surprised that her video got picked.

"It's kinda surprising," Harper said.  "When I first got the message on YouTube, I thought it was a generic message.  Then I read it and ran downstairs and told my sisters and my parents.  Everyone was really excited."

Back in July, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) launched a national online video contest with YouTube asking Americans to answer the question, "Why are you a Democrat in 2008?"

In Morgan's video, she describes her experience as a first time voter in the February 5th Democratic primary.

"I turned 18 the day before the primary," Harper said.  "And the guy who took my information [at the polls] was excited to see me voting saying that it was nice to see young people involved."

Morgan Harper said she cast her vote for Barack Obama.

When asked if she planned on volunteering with the Obama campaign in the fall, Morgan said that she's been really considering it but hadn't signed up for anything yet.

From now until 12noon on August 13th, YouTube users can log on to www.youtube.com/demconvention and vote for Morgan's video.

The finalist that receives the most votes will see their video played before thousands of delegates, elected officials and other guests at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The winner of the "Why are you a Democrat in 2008?" will also attend the Democratic Convention and be sent on the campaign trail for a day, where as a member of the traveling press pool, they will record a video documenting the daily activities of the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama.

Morgan Harper is currently a third-year student at Atlanta Christian College where she is majoring in English.  She says that she's also a musician and at the time of the interview, was in Florida auditioning for the new season of American Idol.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a co-chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, announced the themes of the convention today on a conference call with members of the media.

Sebelius said the overall theme of the Democratic National Convention is "America's Town Hall" and each night, a different keynote speaker would lead the discussion with delegates, elected officials and people from across America who never have had a chance to participate in a convention before.

"This will be an incredibly exciting and innovative convention," Gov. Sebelius said.  "One like we've never seen before."

Each night of the convention will carry a different theme.  

On Monday night, the theme will be "One Nation" and will focus on Barack Obama as a new leader who is ready to serve as President.  Tuesday night's theme will be "Renewing America's Promise" and will feature Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D - New York) in a discussion on the nation's economic challenges and issues.  Wednesday night is veterans' night or "Securing America's Future" night where the vice presidential nominee will deliver his/her acceptance speech.  And finally, Thursday night's theme is "Change You Can Believe In" and will have Barack Obama formally accepting the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.