For you Dems out there who weren’t able to go to the convention, fret not. There will be a “unity” party at Scholz garden tomorrow night as Clinton gives her big speech (or throws a coup). They’ve reserved the space from 6pm-10pm, so go out and enjoy politics in the most honorable way possible… at a landmark Austin bar.

Scholz Garden:

1607 San Jacinto

474.1958

If you were awake at 3am this morning and part of the Obama team’s text messaging list, then you already know he has chosen Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate.  Republicans are hoping the ‘loose cannon’ (he’s notorious for sometimes putting his foot in his mouth) will slip up Howard Dean style and let what comes out of his mouth determine his electability.

“There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama’s lack of experience than Joe Biden,” said McCain spokesman Ben Porritt. “Biden has denounced Barack Obama’s poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing — that Barack Obama is not ready to be President.”

According to a an AP news report released, Waco congressman Chet Edwards is on Obama’s short list as a potential running mate in November. KXAN Austin News is heading to Waco for reaction…you can watch the report tonight at 10.

2 attack ads have been released this week targeting each presidential candidate’s moral foundation..or at least the foundation upon which their homes were built.

The Texas Republican Partyb drew their pistols today and quickly responded to Obama’s ad criticizing the number of homes McCain has. The party came up with their own ad–this one brings us all the way to Obama’s brother’s house in Indonesia.

The TX Republican Party’s Response:

While some political insiders are speculating on the possibility of a meltdown spurred on by the Clintons during the DNC, Green Party contender Ralph Nader predicts just the opposite.  Apparently, Nader called ‘Politico’ and announced his prediction of Obama’s running mate: none other than Mrs. Clinton herself. Nader says the union is the only way for Obama to get everyone in the party on board to take on the Republicans in November.

Well, you’re in luck. Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, sent out an e-mail tonight telling supporters that Obama could be close to announcing a running mate.  You can apparently be the ‘first’ to know by filling out this form.

Another politician, another extramarital affair. I can’t say I’m surprised as 3/4ths of the population apparently engages in this kind of activity. I am surprised it came out now and not while he was running for prez. According to Edward’s statement today, he admits to having an affair in 2006 with Rielle Hunter but he denies fathering her baby. However, apparently while he was running for the nomination, his campaign took care of all of her medical needs, etc.

Here is part of his statement that came out today: “In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough.” He continues. “But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.”

Meanwhile, if you are interested, check out the top ten political sex scandals… this is certainly not a new headline we’re seeing.

For those of you who want to check out another presidential candidate…one we have seen before, you can see Nader tonight!

He’ll be at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 600 East 50th Street. There is a $5-10 suggested donation.

Charlie here, totally hijacking the blog to point you to another blog!

The National Conference for State Legislators (NCSL) is in New Orleans this week and we’ve got an embedded blogger. Check it out to find out what Texas legislators are there and what they are learning and will probably bring back for the next legislative session.

What to think about today’s cover of The New Yorker magazine? Everyone is talking about how Obama is offended, but I wonder how Muslims in the area feel.

Obama’s campaign response according to the Associated Press: “The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton. “But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree.”