Democratic Platform Draft Includes Same-Sex Marriage

In National Journal’s Democratic National Convention Update this week, the Platform Drafting Committee approved language favoring same-sex marriage; Bill Clinton is picked for a major convention speech and will place President Obama’s name into nomination; and both party conventions snub Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Democratic Platform Draft Includes Same-Sex Marriage
[Washington Blade, 7/30/12] The Platform Drafting Committee, where the official positions of the Democratic Party are created, unanimously approved language favoring same-sex marriage. Before being voted on at the party convention in Charlotte, members of the full Platform Committee will meet in Detroit next week.

Bill Clinton to Have Leading Role at Party’s Convention
[New York Times, 7/30/12] Former President Bill Clinton will do the honor of formally placing Obama’s name into nomination, a role traditionally given to the vice president. Joe Biden, however, will speak on the final night of the convention.

Both Party Conventions Snub Lieberman
[The Hill, 7/31/12] Sen. Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., is a man without a convention. He has not been invited to either the Democratic or Republican conventions.

Dems Tap Rising Hispanic Star for Keynote
[National Journal, 7/31/12] Julian Castro, the mayor of San Antonio and a rising figure in Democratic politics, was tapped as the keynote speaker for the convention.

Elizabeth Warren: Obama's Convention Gamble
[National Journal, 8/1/12] Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren was chosen to deliver a major speech at the convention, but it could be a gamble for President Obama, as Hotline’s Josh Kraushaar writes.

BofA and the DNC: Quiet but Significant Support
[Charlotte Observer, 7/30/12] Despite Democratic opposition to a $5 debit-card fee last month, Bank of America gave $17.7 million to convention organizers just a week and a half earlier. The total amount the company donates to the convention could reach $65 million.

Occupy Protesters Targeting Obama at Democratic Convention
[U.S. News, 7/31/12] Occupy protesters are planning to protest at the convention, with one of the organizers naming the operation the “Coalition to March on Wall Street South — Building People's Power During the DNC.”

An Unconventional Guide to Charlotte and Tampa
[New York Times, 7/27/12] The Times has mapped out a guide for convention-goers in Tampa and Charlotte. From where to get an emergency necktie to the best place to misuse PAC Funds, just about any need is addressed.

Gingrich 'Very Comfortable' Not Speaking at Convention
[National Journal, 8/1/12] Former Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said on CNN on Wednesday that he was “very comfortable not speaking” at the Republican convention, and is instead focusing on organizing some workshops.

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