http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/259013

GOP Unveils Counter Convention Plans In Denver

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Sadiq Green
When the DNCC opens it's national convention, the GOP hopes to counter the heavy press coverage that the Democrats are guaranteed to warrant this week by holding events that will immediately counter messages made during the Democratic National Convention.
The DNCC Podium
by DemConvention-Flickr
The DNCC Podium
The RNC has set up a War Room headquarters not too far from the Pepsi Arena in Denver and plan to unleash a rapid response media barrage wthat includes a dedicated website. The Republicans are aiming their efforts at moderate and disaffected Democrats
The RNC events will feature speeches by GOP opponents. The lineup includes Carly Fiorina and Democrats supporting McCain on Monday, Mitt Romney, who some consider is a potential vice-presidential choice for McCain, and who in February won Colorado's Republican presidential caucus on Tuesday, Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday, and Tim Pawlenty on Thursday.
Arizona Senator Jon Kyl will be on hand, as will a number of U.S. representatives, including Eric Cantor of Virginia, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida. These prominent GOPers will be holding news conferences, making television appearances and giving satellite interviews with outlets from battleground states in Denver to cover the convention.
RNC Chairman Mike Duncan commented, when asked by Philip Kleinof The American Spectator if this was a sort of shadow convention:
"They've got their own shadow convention, we're just commenting on it."
That could possibly be a veiled reference to Hillary Clinton supporters and their efforts to have their concerns aired.
There were as yet, no plans for McCain himself to appear in Denver next week. The Arizona senator plans to stay in the Southwest during the Democratic convention and will make a visit to The Tonight Show With Jay Leno this evening.
The McCain campaign does have convention-specific television advertisements that will run throughout the week. Republicans will supplement those efforts with an additional new website with videos featuring TV clips of Democratic leaders praising McCain while questioning Obama’s experience. Featured in those will be Hillary and Bill Clinton as well as Obama Vice-Presidential choice Joe Biden.
If that is not enough for Democrats to contend with, third-party campaigns are also headed to Denver. Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney addressed supporters at the Recreate '68, anti-war rally after a march through downtown Denver on Sunday:
Independent Ralph Nader plans to attend a star studded super rally at Denver University on Aug. 27, the night before Obama accepts his party's nomination.
Digital Journal's SueD is reporting Hillary Clinton Advisors will make an early exit from the convention, bringing to question the so-called party unity.