The Republican National Convention is Still in St. Paul

Various public figures and media outlet have been placing this week's Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. CBS anchor Katie Couric referred to the event as being in Minneapolis, our own Governor Tim Pawlenty did likewise, as did U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Presidential historian Doug Wead, speaking on Tuesday, mixed it up by saying "Tonight John McCain will be in St. Paul, but St. Paul will be in Minneapolis."

He meant Congressman Ron Paul, who held his own convention on Tuesday night at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

While events have been held in venues in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Bloomington, the actual convention is at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

I live in downtown St. Paul, and the RNC is definitely here. An emergency vehicle screams past my house every five minutes and at least one helicopter has been hovering over my home since Sunday. Then there's the police and National Guard at the end of the block, the bus being re-routed a half-mile from my house, police horses trotting past and a lot of scruffy looking people on bikes with black messenger bags. (One of the scruffy bikers will be still here once the RNC has gone... me).

As long as I don't get tear gas shot through my window, I don't mind. It's been fun to watch, and it will sure seem quiet around here once the Republicans, media, security, protesters and everyone else has packed up and gone home.

Today is the last day. John McCain arrived in town last night and will officially accept his party's nomination as presidential candidate in a speech this evening. And then, assuming no catastrophic protester activities, all will be back to normal in Minneapolis and St. Paul.