Party On, Governor!

Washington, D.C. - Governors are always hot shots at national political conventions, but maybe even more so this year: New lobbying rules passed by Congress in 2007 don't apply to state and local officials--just federal lawmakers. "People will feel better about participating in our events because it's easier to do so," says Chris Schrimpf, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association (RGA). "It's the safest way to be active at the conventions." The Republicans hold their convention Sept. 1-4 in St. Paul, Minn. Among the RGA's highlighted events is a reception hosted by the Edison Electric Institute and the Nuclear Energy Institute, two prominent energy industry groups. There's also a concert featuring country music star Clay Walker and Capitol Offense, a band whose bass player happens to be former Arkansas Gov. Mike... [read full story]