CONVENTION MIDTERMS.  —  We're halfway through this convention.  Not all the way through, nor even near it.  And I'm inside the convention, not watching it on television and consequently not sure how most Americans are actually experiencing it.  But if I were doing the grading now, I'd fail the thing.

Two Days Down  —  Ezra Klein frets: … I'm afraid I concur.  With the sole exception of Michelle Obama's superb speech, this convention has been McCain's dream.  Yes, there's Biden and the chance that someone - who knows? - might actually attack the worst national security record of any administration in modern times.

Schweitzer Steals the Show; Hillary Calls for Unity  —  Of course Hillary Clinton's speech last night at the Democratic National Convention was emphatic and inspiring - as she urged all her supporters to get behind Barack Obama.  But Hillary has made this plea before, and the more important speech at …

Pictured: The miniature ‘Greek temple’ from which Barack Obama will launch his final push for the U.S. presidency  —  Barack Obama's big speech on tomorrow night will be delivered from an elaborate columned platform resembling a miniature Greek temple, it has been revealed.

Has He Lost His Mind?  —  “Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple.  —  The stage, similar to structures used for rock concerts, has been set up at the 50-yard-line …

McCain camp gleefully mocks ‘temple of Obama’ … Republicans, who mock Barack Obama as a self-appointed divine savior, gleefully pounced Thursday on pictures of the set for his big convention speech, which appears to resemble a temple.  —  The Democratic presidential candidate will accept …