Coming to you live from the Xcel Energy Center…

Right now, the Republicans are lauding wounded and killed veterans in the “War on Terror.” The last speaker mentioned how she leg was amputated, her left eye blind and her life almost taken.

Despite her service, in all honesty, she was an awful speaker. Perhaps that’s just because it was disturbing to hear her speak of death with a smile on her face.

—-

As for the rest of the convention itself…it’s a very different world inside and outside the Xcel Center. Right now, out on 12th street, protesters are getting tear gassed and pepper sprayed. The city is in a constant state of chaos and no one really knows where to go. The barricade around the Xcel Center was moved further into the city after protesters tried to rush the gates last night. Columnist Kyle Szarzynski, who was here earlier today, said “It got kind of bloody.”

Youth Vote Correspondent Jason Fisher was in Denver for the DNC and Denver and is here with me covering the whole shindig in St. Paul. He says Denver was a celebrity bonanza of sorts where so many people were greeting visitors and handing out information.

Here, it’s a very different scene. The only celebrity we’ve seen so far is Rachel Leigh Cook (who is here on a non-partisan assignment). Not even Chuck Norris is here (who we’re apparently looking for?).

I know I’ve been brief, but I’ll try and post more extensive thoughts on the convention tonight.