Converging at the convention

By Lisa Mascaro

Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008 | 10:19 a.m.

(The Sun has gone on the road to listen to voters and talk to political leaders around the West. Reporters will examine the economic, cultural and demographic forces re-shaping the region as they drive to Denver for the first of the two major party conventions the Sun will cover.)

WASHINGTON -- Leaving Washington, D.C., this crisp, late-summer morning to join my Winning the West colleagues at the Democratic National Convention in Denver feels like leaving one bubble for another.

Inside the Beltway to inside the convention hall.

Thank goodness for the interlude earlier this month in Nevada for a glimpse of grannies playing slots at the neighborhood casinos - regular folks living regular Nevada lives.

A new poll out today in the R-J shows 15 percent of Nevada voters remain undecided.

Hopefully by coming to Denver, and to St. Paul with the Republicans next week, we can offer some insight and analysis for crunch time.

The poll showed McCain gaining a wider lead over Nevada, though another recent poll showed it remains as tight as ever.

How enviable for Nevada, others must think, to have such a voice in this democratic system.

How enviable to matter.

Wish us well as we navigate the bubble and look for the language of the regular folks.