LONDON (Reuters) - Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75 percent -- far more than previously estimated -- according to a confidential World Bank report published in a British newspaper Friday.

This confirmation from the "logistics" side of NBC tell us that the "network discussions" we referred to earlier today have already taken place, and that this is looking like it's going to happen:
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign is considering having the Democratic presidential nominee make his acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High instead of the Pepsi Center, according to two people in a position to know details of the idea.
...
News of the potential relocation of the key event was first mentioned on the DemConWatch blog at http://www.demconwatchblog.com/.

The two people told The Associated Press on Thursday that the plan is under consideration, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

NBC officials involved with convention coverage preparations tell 9NEWS that all indications are that the event will be held at Invesco. Those officials stressed that the move was not official until the DNC makes its final decision which is not expected until at least Monday. - 9NewsBut there are still big logistical hurdles:
The move, which would open the convention's marquee event to the masses, would no doubt be a logistical nightmare for police, secret service and the media, all of which have been gameplanning for a convention at the Pepsi Center.

"This would be an incredible event," said Norman Provizer, a News2 political analyst. "I think it just boils down to: how do you pull it off?" - News2 Denver

FARGO, N.D. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama waded into controversy Thursday over his plans to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq, first saying he might "refine" his views but later declaring his stance had remained unchanged for more than a year.

When Marc Ambinder first noted today that the Obama campaign wants "to do something different on Thursday -- possibly at a different venue", we then reported exclusively that the idea of the Democratic nominee giving the acceptance speech at Invesco Field instead of at the Pepsi Center has been floating around Denver for over two years. It turns out it's under active consideration:
Barack Obama campaign officials did not deny reports today that his nomination speech might be given at Invesco Field instead of the Pepsi Center.

"No decisions have been made," Obama spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said.

A blog, demconwatchblog.com, had been reporting the final night of the Democratic National Convention would be staged at Invesco Field at Mile High instead of the Pepsi Center.

"Thursday in Denver will be a historic day," was the only elaboration Gilson would offer.

The Associated Press, citing two unnamed "people in a position to know details of the idea," said the plan is under consideration.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said he hadn't heard the rumor directly from the Obama campaign, but said it would be "amazing" if it happened. He also said it could be done, if needed.

"It would be difficult, but not impossible," Hickenlooper said. "You would have to adapt. You would have to make sure you got the right people in the right places — if it's something the Obama campaign want to do."- Rocky Mountain News
The Denver Post has more:

Barack Obama’s campaign is considering moving his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field at Mile High to allow tens of thousands to witness the historic moment, sources say.

The move would mark a major departure from tradition, but would be in keeping with the candidate’s desire to build a large grass-roots campaign focused on “change.”

Should the Illinois Senator give his speech — which occurs on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech — at Invesco, the move would leave behind the multi-million-dollar broadcast studios and high-tech podium and stage to be constructed at the Pepsi Center.

“No decision has been made in regards to this,” wrote Matthew Chandler, the Colorado press secretary for the Obama campaign in an e-mail. A spokesperson at Obama’s Chicago headquarters declined to elaborate and Denver’s convention host committee declined to comment.

The move, mentioned early Thursday on www.demconwatchblog.com, would not be unprecedented. In 1960, the Democratic National Convention was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. But nominee John F. Kennedy delivered his acceptance speech next door at the Memorial Coliseum.

Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos, seats 76,125 and presumably several thousand more could fit on the field. The Pepsi Center holds less than 20,000 and is to be restricted to delegates, media, high-dollar donors and guests of the Democratic Party.

7News:
Natalie Wyeth of the DNC committee ... did not confirm nor deny a report that Barack Obama's acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination would take place at Invesco Field at Mile High.
...
Blogs are buzzing that Obama wants to do something out of ordinary on Thursday, and one scenario would be to open the last day of the convention to the public at Invesco Field, which seats more than 76,000 people. That's not including the thousands of seats that could be placed out on the field.The Pepsi Center accommodates less than 20,000 so seating is restricted to delegates, media people with credentials, and major players within the Democratic Party.The report originated on DemConWatch.Also see the discussion at Daily Kos.

FARGO, N.D. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama left open the possibility Thursday of revising his 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq, saying he could "refine" his stance after he visits the country.

FARGO, N.D. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama pushed deep into Republican territory in North Dakota Thursday, saying he saw the potential for a significant political realignment in November's election.

This story may have more legs than what we originally thought. The LA Times had an article reporting that the Obama campaign may limit the convention to 3 nights. Now a tip from Marc Ambinder and a little digging in the DemConWatch archives leads to the possibility of holding the 4th night at Invesco Field at Mile High. Invesco is just across I-25 from the Pepsi Center and is within walking distance.

Barack Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee are toying with a convention scheduling change that has been broached before in theory but never seriously considered: cutting the party's conclave in Denver short by one day to give Obama an extra day of post-nomination bounce in the crowded August calendar.

For the last several decades -- when conventions became forums that merely rubber-stamp a presumptive nominee -- they have traditionally run from Monday through Thursday. Increasingly, both parties have struggled to offer something of interest during the first couple of convention nights, and the television networks have responded by dramatically reducing live coverage. The only truly significant event has been the nominee's acceptance speech, delivered during prime time on Thursday evening.

But Obama aides have floated the idea of ending the Denver convention on Wednesday, Aug. 27, instead of Thursday, Aug. 28. - LA Times
The article goes on to explain that having an extra day to campaign may be worth the trouble.

Host Committee Communications Director Chris Lopez told us today: "We have no reason to believe that the convention would be shortened from 4 to 3 days. We're certainly flexible to anything Sen. Obama's campaign would like to change about Denver's hosting of the convention but we have no indication this is under consideration. In fact I believe the Obama campaign last night told the Denver Post that it looks forward to what will transpire in Denver on Thursday night."Mayor Hickenlooper told the Denver News
"I can guarantee you that's not happening," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said, adding that, unless he hasn't been told about it, discussions Wednesday with officials from the Democratic National Convention Committee and the Obama campaign indicated both camps were planning for a full convention Aug. 25-28. And Obama spokeswoman Shannon Gilson told them:
"Absolutely not. We think Thursday night in Denver will be very special," she said in an e-mail. And Marc Ambinder weighs in with this...
My understanding is that the Obama campaign doesn't want to end the convention on Wednesday night, August 27... it's just that they want to do something different on Thursday -- possibly at a different venue. There'll be a conference call with news network execs soon to discuss this....And Matt was on this possibility way back in March of 2006...
In the previous post, I wrote that Denver is reported to be considering proposing holding the last night of the convention, when the nominee speaks, at a different location than the previous 3 nights. I thought this was a crazy idea for the Denver bid from a logistical and cost viewpoint.

However, a source has told me that Dean has been dropping hints that he would like some sort of "public event" to close the convention week, which could, logically, be the nominee acceptance speech. (It could also just be a big rally the next day). So we may see all the cities come up with proposals like this, and my comment earlier saying "don't blame Dean for this" may have been premature.

And maybe there is a method to the madness. I understand that the goal is to get people to watch and listen to the speech on Thursday night, so maybe doing something "different" is the right approach. We shall see...And here's what Matt's previous post said....
* Denver's bid would put most of the convention action at the Pepsi Center, with the final night at Invesco Field.Update: Even Obama himself has denied the original 3-day story:
"That's not coming from our campaign," Obama said. "We expect we'll have the same four days that have been the tradition for a long time — four full days."

Following events are scheduled over the next four weeks:

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CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from the Best Political Team. (CNN) — Barack Obama responds to charges he is flip-flopping on his Iraq policy, in Thursday's edition of CNN=Politics Daily. Also, CNN's Dana Bash reports John McCain's presidential campaign is undergoing a makeover amid GOP concerns the Arizona senator isn't keeping pace with Obama. Bill Schneider [...]

IN THE HEADLINES

Sen. Obama discussed his Iraq policy in North Dakota Thursday. (CNN) — Call it take two. Barack Obama held a second news conference with reporters in North Dakota Thursday, to deny any suggestions that he's changing his position on withdrawing all combat troops from Iraq. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee opened his second go-around with reporters by saying, [...]

What better place to accept the nomination for the most powerful job in the world? Invesco Field at Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos, can seat 75,000 people. It's just a short walk under I-25 from the Pepsi Center and would be a part of the rumored one-mile square radius security zone.


Back in March of 2006 Matt wrote the following:
However, a source has told me that Dean has been dropping hints that he would like some sort of "public event" to close the convention week, which could, logically, be the nominee acceptance speech. (It could also just be a big rally the next day). So we may see all the cities come up with proposals like this, and my comment earlier saying "don't blame Dean for this" may have been premature.And in his previous post he wrote:
Denver's bid would put most of the convention action at the Pepsi Center, with the final night at Invesco Field.

I am very suprised by that last one. Having the convention in two separate places makes the logistics much harder. You have to build all the infrastructure twice: podium, floor seating, and media facilities. I can't imagine the media will be happy about having to pay for two sets of anchorbooths, wiring, etc. Security is also a nightmare. You have to setup the whole security infrastructure in two separate places. Not to mention the security checkpoint system gets used and worked out the first 2 days, before the big days of Wednesday and Thursday. If you have the final night in a completely new place, it seems to me you're asking for trouble.We have so far gotten denials from the DNCC, The Mayor's Office, The Host Committee and the Obama Campaign. Of course they want this to be a big announcement that our humble blog wouldn't be able to approach.

The Invesco Field Special Events department is closed for the holiday weekend. If they were open I'm sure they would have told me that they're booked for August 28th.INVESCO Field at Mile High is the home of Championship events! Whether your event is casual or formal, the 280,000 square feet of event space can accommodate multiple events at one time with groups of 20 to 75,000 guests.

When selecting INVESCO Field at Mile High you are choosing a venue that offers diverse event space with a sporty Colorado flair. The newly rennovated Budweiser Champions Club and United Club Lounge are a perfect blend of Rocky Mountain refinement and all-American athletics. The winning opportunities are endless and we look forward to discussing your needs and how we can exceed your expectations!Considerations for holding the acceptance speech at Invesco Field:
- Added cost. Does the Obama Campaign pay for it?
- Additional security.
- What happens if it rains?
- How does the media handle setting up for two locations?
- The American Presidential Experience will be held in the parking lot during the week.
- The University of Colorado and Colorado State University play at Invesco on Sunday 8/31. It was originally scheduled for Saturday 8/30 but was moved in May due tot he convention.
- A Tailgate on the Field event was originally scheduled on Friday 8/29. The day after the acceptance speech. We are awaiting word from the Metro Denver Sports Commission on its status.
- Great way to take the wind out of McCain's rumored Friday VP Announcement






It may not look that close but this is a picture of Invesco Field taken from the Pepsi Center.








Aerial view from Google Maps

In case you're wondering... the last time a Democrat accepted the nomination in an outdoor stadium was in 1960 at the Los Angeles Coliseum by John F. Kennedy.




The GOP also considered having Bush give his acceptance speech in an alternate location in New York, but nothing ever came of it.

I think you can bet on this happening from what I'm gathering. While we may not get a confirmation until it's officially announced, we will keep digging and let you know as we find out more.

Update: One other possibility: Give the speech at Pepsi Center, then go over to Invesco for the rally to end all rallies.

In April, four experts on smoking cessation published a paper espousing an unconventional plan for helping hard-core nic

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Obama denies any shift in his Iraq policy. FARGO, North Dakota (CNN) – Democrat Barack Obama denied Thursday any suggestion he's shying away from his proposed 16-month phased withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq, calling it "pure speculation" and adding that his "position has not changed" — shortly before telling reporters questioning his stance that [...]

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