Tuesday look-ahead

Street Vendor Mark Evans shows off his hand puppets during Carolina Fest, Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C., before the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

And so, the Democratic National Convention begins. The party has unveiled its platform, arguing that thanks to the passing of the health care law and elimination of top Al Qaeda operatives that America is a better place.

Ezra Klein from the Washington Post has a roundup of the top issues for the day for political wonks, including why the question "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" is taking centre stage, and why Obama has moved away from his "Hawaiian mellowness."

Will Bill Clinton be the Democrat's Clint Eastwood? It's said Bubba has yet to release details of his speech.

Speaking of Eastwood, the president executed a perfect social media operation following the old man's chair act. His tweet — "this seat is taken — was the most popular one in Tampa.

Michelle Obama will speak tonight. Today, she is one of the most popular people in America, with one in seven saying they like her. She'll be attemping to transfer some of those good feelings to her significantly less popular husband, and win over more women voters.

This is the celebrity endorsement Romney has been waiting for? Rapper/songstress/wacky fashionista Nicki Minaj declared, more or less, she's voting Republican. “I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney, you lazy b------s are f------ up the economy,” Minaj raps in a track called “Mercy" on Lil Wayne’s latest mixtape.

Those at Bloomberg News are optimistic about the Democrat's chances, writing in an editorial "Despite harsh electoral conditions — high unemployment, low growth and public pessimism about the economy — President Barack Obama remains in a tight race with Republican Mitt Romney. It seems possible that Democrats might even retain their majority in the Senate, a prospect that appeared unlikely just months ago."

The New York Times reports that the party is more united than ever, owing in large part to a shared fear of Republican rule.

And Ryan continues to receive flak for saying his marathon time was under three hours. It was, in fact, closer to four, a slower time than Sarah Palin.