Today, inside the Xcel Center: new photos

[Sarah's Update: These photos were taken early this morning, before Gustav became a major factor in RNC events.]

 

Sarah had a chance to get some of the first pics of the transformed Xcel Energy Center.

Tom Hauser doing a live promo of the show.

An unlikely trio at the RNC, Former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, the Taxpayers League’s David Strom and former DFL Assistant Senate Majority Leader Ember Reichgott Junge.

DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez and Sen. Tarryl Clark (DFL-St. Cloud).

Finally, what every convention-goer looks for: Preparations for the much-anticipated balloon drop.