Bill Richardson

Check back next week to view my Convention Sketchpads from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis.

The fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, with a theme of "Change You Can Believe In."

The final day's events will take place at INVESCO Field at Mile High, where over 70,000 people are expected to attend.

Featured speakers will include Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D), former Vermont Gov. and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean (D), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D), former Vice President Al Gore (D) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D).

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential nominee, is scheduled to address the convention at 10 p.m. EST.

The full schedule is below.

The third day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, with a theme of "Securing America's Future."

The day will begin with the nominating process for President, including nominating speeches for U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), followed by a roll call vote.

The headline speaker will be vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Featured speakers will include President Bill Clinton (D), U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

The full schedule is below.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, and an air of smug satisfaction, the Gregoire for governor campaign issued a statement today apologizing for citing facts in their most recent television advertisement that have since been proven outdated.

The issue in question is the state's business climate ranking according to Forbes magazine. The ad states that Washington is the fifth best state in the union in which to do business according to 2007 rankings. 2008's list, which was released today, bumps the state up to third.

"We apologize to anyone who was misled into believing that Washington is the fifth best place to do business when, in fact, we are ranked third," said Gregoire press secretary Aaron Toso.

Washington Gov. Chris GregoireGov. Chris Gregoire, who closed out the month of April with a last minute call to supporters in an e-mail asking them to cap off the month on a strong note.

"The media, undecided voters and my Republican opponent are all lining up to see how much support we have after our first 30 days," Gregoire said in the e-mail. "A donation before midnight tonight sends a message they can't ignore: We want to continue taking on challenges and getting results."

It seems to have worked. A source at the campaign told PolitickerWA.com that they are expecting about a million dollars for the month of April. Much of that came during the fundraiser with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. That even brought in more than $300,000. Not a bad way to formally kick off a campaign.

SEATTLE - In what was dubbed the formal campaign kickoff for Governor Chris Gregoire's re-election, likely the final piece ofGov. Gregoire greets supporters in Seattle the ignition that begin on a bus tour in Auburn earlier this month, more than 1300 people ate lunch and contributed to the campaign at Seattle's Westin Hotel. The event, which doubled as a fundraiser, charged between $100 for a "Silver Level" ticket up to $2800 to be a "Chris' Crew Member". Free tickets were also available to supporters unable to donate at the silver level.

But yesterday's fundraiser luncheon was very different from any of the bus tour kickoff events, highlighted by local dignitaries and a short stump speech by Gregoire before hopping back on the bus and on to the next town. This time the speech was revamped, video screens flanked the stage with images of Gregoire with the Dalai Lama and a new campaign video, and the dignitary came from out of state in the form of New Mexico Governor and former Presidential candidate, U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.

First came a Democratic Presidential candidate who fell short of the mark, as Governor Chris Gregoire announced last week she would host a fundraiser featuring special guest Bill Richardson, the New Mexico Governor and fourth place finisher in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.

Now Gregoire has the help of the "real deal," 2004 nominee and current Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. PolitickerWA.com has obtained an e-mail sent to Kerry's supporters asking for their financial support to help Gregoire's re-election campaign.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be heading to Seattle later this month for a fundraising lunch for his governing colleague Chris Gregoire. Dubbed a "campaign kickoff fundraiser", the event will be held at the Westin on Monday, April 28. 

The invitation for the event comes along with the slogan "Taking on challenges. Getting Results." It also highlights a few of the campaign's main policy talking points with statistics for new jobs and children's health care.

Public Disclosure Commission reports are out and you can do your part for full disclosure by looking up your favorite candidate’s contribution and expenditure reports at www.pdc.wa.gov.  read more »

Politicker has learned that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is endorsing Barack Obama for President. His letter to supporters is below.

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.