Democratic National Committee

DENVER -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) has arrived for the last day of the Democratic National Convention, in time to see Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) accept his nomination for the presidency.

When asked what had caused her absence for the first three days, Giffords told PolitickerAZ.com, "I was working."

"Some of us have re-election fights," she explained, referring to the challenge she faces from Arizona Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson).

DENVER – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) singled out Betsy Markey as a strong Democratic challenger in a short interview with PolitickerCO.com today.

“In this state we believe we have an excellent opportunity. Betsy Markey is a wonderful candidate,” said Hoyer, who is here this week to attend the Democratic National Convention.

Markey, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver) is challenging three-term U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Fort Collins) in what is widely seen as a hotly contested race. Politicker.com’s Pindell Report currently ranks the race as the 14th most competitive in the nation. 

When it comes to the outlook for his party in House races this fall, meanwhile, Hoyer is betting outright that Democrats expand their majority big time.

“…I think we are going to pick up a substantial number of seats,” he said.

Below is a transcript of remarks made by Democratic vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday evening, as prepared for delivery.

DENVER – Kentucky labor unions are mobilizing to counteract the impact of an advertising campaign targeting Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) for supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, according to AFL-CIO Vice-President Ken Koch.

The ads attacking Lunsford claim the EFCA legislation would "take away your right to a private vote."

"The membership is outraged," Koch told PolitickerKY.com in Denver, where Koch is serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. "The facts are it's not taking a vote away from them, it's taking the power away from the corporation and giving it to the working people."

The EFCA legislation removes an employer's option of calling for a secret ballot vote on unionization and permits union certification when a majority of employees have signed union membership cards.

Koch said Kentucky unions were reaching out to their membership about the legislation and the ads, and hoping members push that perspective to others.

DENVER – In selecting U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his running mate, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has undercut any gains Republican rival John McCain could make in Pennsylvania by picking former Keystone State governor Tom Ridge, U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) suggested today.

“There’s no question …he’s a good governor and he’s well thought of,” Murtha said in a short interview with PolitickerPA.com, referring to Ridge. “But with Biden on the ticket, he almost offsets that.”

Murtha said that Biden, a six term senator, would especially help bring in votes in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, the part of the state closest to Biden’s Delaware. He also said that Biden’s Wednesday evening speech at the Democratic National Convention would be a key moment for the newly-minted vice presidential nominee.

DENVER -- Sarah Rosen, the former communications director of the Arizona Democratic Party who was killed in a car accident in 2005, was honored at the breakfast of Arizona's Democratic National Convention delegation Tuesday morning.

Her father, Sam Rosen, once came close to breaking down as he spoke about his daughter to the delegates, and made a pitch for the fund that was started in her name.

He recalled how he collaborated with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean to establish the memorial fund in her memory. The Sarah Rosen Fund provides living stipends that allow summer interns working for the DNC to afford housing.

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington): Campaign PhotoDENVER - U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) called the first day of the Democratic National Convention a “home run opening day.”

They “hit all the right notes,” the 4th District Democrat told PolitickerMD.com during the Tuesday breakfast for the Maryland delegation at the Renaissance Denver hotel.

Edwards said it's going to be important for the Democrats “to point to the actual record of John McCain.”

U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Hyannisport): Getty Images PhotoDENVER - U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) waves to the crowd during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, starts today and finishes August 28th. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown: Getty Images PhotoDENVER - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) (L) moderates a panel during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, starts today and finishes August 28th. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Denver Mayor John HickenlooperDENVER - Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper addresses the crowd during day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, starts today and finishes August 28th. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)