Democrats face a number of imperatives at their convention, none trickier than making more voters comfortable with Barack Obama’s background.
Corporations and party planners are scrambling to comply with sweeping new ethics rules that ban free meals and concerts.
Malcolm A. Smith, the Senate minority leader, a Democrat, sought to distance himself from comments he made at a fund-raiser last week as Republicans asked for a legal inquiry.
House Democrats have initiated extensive voter contact programs to fortify their own candidates and simultaneously bolster Barack Obama in areas where he might struggle with blue-collar voters.
For the coming political conventions, Minneapolis and Denver, the host cities, have urged artists to make works that address the political process.
