"Sometimes the facts have a liberal bias" - Stephen Colbert

My breathing has becoming strained over the past few days as I've pondered the idea of tens of thousands Republicans taking over our great cities.

The Republicans announced yesterday they’re holding their 2008 convention in St. Paul at the Xcel Energy Center. The chairman of the Minnesota Republican party said he can’t wait “for our nation’s next president to be nominated in Minnesota.”

It’s kind of weird that they would choose one of the country’s most democratic-leaning areas for their convention. The 2004 convention was in New York City, though, which is very liberal. In St. Paul, the previous mayor was a Democrat but they threw him out because he wasn't liberal enough.

While discussing the economic benefits the convention will bring to the city, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said they will be greater than if the Democrats had picked St. Paul first. Why? “Republicans have more money to spend.” Hilarious. Apparently Gov. Pawlenty gave him a really annoyed look and said something about how Republicans don’t spend all their money.

That’s what’s really sad about this. The Democrats wanted to have their convention here too, but the Republicans beat them to it. Congrats to Minneapolis and St. Paul for being cool enough that the nation's two major political parties are bickering over who gets to hang out here for their convention.

I might go on vacation that week.