GOP sets up camp, strategy in Denver

DENVER -- Give the Republicans an inch in this Mile High City, and they'll set up a war room down the block from the Democratic National Convention.

"A mile high, an inch deep" is the motto for the GOP's new website, notready08.com. It features top Democrats blasting Barack Obama's short political résumé in words they might wish to retract. Republicans have added a personal touch this week in the Democrats' backyard.

With offices just up Speer Boulevard from the Pepsi Center, the GOP is seeking to take some of the luster off the Democrats' four-day convention with marquee speakers, rapid responses to Democrats' charges and some pointed attacks of their own. Tops among them: Obama isn't ready to lead.

On Monday, it was former Democratic congressman Tim Penny of Minnesota making the charge. Penny, now an independent whose children back Obama, has endorsed Republican John McCain because of McCain's ability to work with Democrats.

"This really is a choice between words and deeds, rhetoric and a record of accomplishment," Penny said in an interview. "With Obama, it basically is rhetoric. There's a very skinny record."

About two dozen Republican staffers have set up shop here as part of a bipartisan tradition dating back several conventions. Their temporary digs in an accounting firm's office even include a ping-pong table and a full kitchen. Four years ago, Republicans did the same thing in Boston, Democrats in New York.

Democrats will be in St. Paul next week for the GOP convention. "You won't have to look too hard to find us in the Twin Cities," said Damien LaVera of the Democratic National Committee.

"The Republicans can set up as many war rooms as Sen. McCain has houses, but that won't change the fact that John McCain voted with George Bush 95% of the time last year and offers just more of the same failed economic policies," Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Today, the GOP's big guns begin to arrive. Mitt Romney, a leading candidate to be McCain's vice presidential pick, will hold a news conference, followed by fellow GOP primary also-ran Rudy Giuliani, the Republicans' convention keynote speaker, on Wednesday. On Thursday, it will be Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, also on McCain's short list for a spot on the ticket.