I've been to both conventions over the last two weeks. There are obvious differences in the what is being talked about, who is doing the talking and the rhetoric pouring out of politico mouths. But some things are the same, and one of those is the parties.

The parties are everywhere. Sunlight Foundation folks were invited and attended a party put on by the travel, airline and real estate industry last night and talked to a popular lobbyist about why the party was being thrown. The signs, "Vote for Travel! Vote for Hospitality! Vote for Real Estate!" appeared to be more than simply party decorations but rather implied requests to elected officials from major industry groups.

ABCNews was also on the lobbyist trail with a great piece on the parties here in the Twin Cities.

Senator McCain asked that the partying be muted in respect to the hurricanes slamming into the Gulf States but it seems the lobbyists (and many elected officials) didn't hear the message or chose to ignore it.

We'll have more from St.Paul later today.