Presidential Elections

DENVER - Barack Obama is using his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic convention to make the case for electing a man whom he admits doesn't fit the "typical pedigree."

DENVER - Forgive some of the 75,000 people amassed at Invesco Field Thursday if their thumbs are bit weary by the time Barack Obama takes the stage for a triumphant acceptance of his presidential nomination.

DENVER - Republican presidential candidate John McCain decided on a running mate early Thursday, and one top prospect, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, abruptly canceled numerous public appearances.

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama is accepting the Democratic nomination Thursday night with a lofty vision for the nation's future that is far easier to articulate than to accomplish.

DENVER - Al Gore told Democrats Thursday night that the 2008 election is close because defenders of the status quo "are desperately afraid of the change Barack Obama represents." And the former vice president said he knows something about close elections.

WASHINTON - Hollywood hasn't contributed official speakers to Barack Obama's convention this week. But, man, have celebrities flocked to Denver in droves. Oprah's in the house! Was that Matthew Modine just now? Oh, wow, there's Anne Hathaway.

WASHINGTON - And now comes ... the wait for "The Bounce."

WASHINGTON - John McCain and Barack Obama share common ground on a surprising selection of issues where the age-old Republican-Democratic divide doesn't cut it anymore.

DENVER - In a brief break from a fierce advertising war, Republican presidential candidate John McCain will air a one-evening-only ad with a simple message for Barack Obama: "Job well done."

DENVER - Vice presidential candidate Joe Biden told Pennsylvania delegates Thursday that running mate Barack Obama can't win the White House without the Keystone State.

DENVER - On Barack Obama's big night, Republicans in Denver pushed an alternative convention narrative: Sure he can thrill a crowd of Democrats, but is he ready to be president?

DENVER - The air was thin, the sun was strong and the view of the stage was horrible. But that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of Democrats who sat in the cheap seats all the way at the top of Invesco Field at Mile High.

DENVER - Four days, hundreds of speakers, thousands of delegates, endless pontificating. So much that is memorable from the Democratic National Convention, so much that is forgettable. Seven AP reporters help sort it all out, by identifying — in their humble opinions — some of the week's best and worst: speakers, put-downs, seats, and more.

DENVER - John McCain is airing a one-evening-only ad with a simple message for Barack Obama: "Job well done." The ad coincides with Obama's nomination acceptance speech.

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) - Barack Obama will Thursday warn that eight years of "broken" politics and "failed" Republican leadership is enough, and issue a call for sweeping change at a "defining" moment of US history.

DENVER (Reuters) - Barack Obama, about to take a historic step as the Democratic presidential nominee, promised on Thursday to reverse the economic failures of the last eight years, end the war in Iraq and restore America's reputation.

Barack Obama, launches his historic fall campaign for the White House with an outdoor Democratic National Convention

The Obama campaign is hoping to capitalize on the enthusiasm generated by the Democratic National Convention to register voters across the country in "massive" numbers this weekend.

Excerpts from Barack Obama's speech Thursday accepting the Democratic Party's nomination for president, as prepared for delivery:

Sen. Barack Obama plans to stress his life story and his vision for changing the policies espoused by President Bush when he accepts the Democratic Party's nomination tonight at Invesco Field.

INVESCO FIELD — The Barack Obama campaign’s organizational forces were on full display at Invesco Field on Thursday.

Never mind history-in-the-making. It’s all about news cycles.

NEW YORK - Interest in the Democratic convention among television viewers continues to run well ahead of 2004, although vice presidential candidate Joe Biden was a slightly less potent draw than Hillary Clinton.

DENVER - Call it getting out the God vote.

DENVER — Ask Edem Archibong when he came to America from his native Nigeria and the 54-year-old cabbie will give you the exact date: May 31, 1977.

A look at where Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain stand on a selection of issues as the national party conventions affirm their presidential nominations and launch the fall campaign:

DENVER — Barack Obama was the clear favorite among the majority of people dining at the Cafe Africana on East Colfax Avenue in Denver one night last week.

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's surprise visit to California's breakfast meeting Wednesday was a hit with delegates. Many were repeating a comment during his speech about how America needs a leader who inspires rather than embarrasses them.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama could open talks with Iran on its nuclear program early next year if he wins the White House, one of his senior foreign policy advisers said on Thursday.