In addition to our coverage from Denver and the Democratic National Convention, BlogHer has also been awarded credentials to cover the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis - St. Paul. That's right, the BlogHer team is going to spend August 25th-28th bringing you DNC details from Denver, sleep for a weekend, and turn around and head to the Twin Cities for all things GOP September 1-4th. (whew, I'm tired already!) Two weeks of convention coverage from BlogHer.com!

Last week, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed a bill (.pdf) that will alllow science teachers to introduce "supplemental materials" on contentious subjects such as evolution and global warming. While supporters cheer the new law as a victory fo academic freedom, critics see it as a pretext for allowing teachers to bring their religious beliefs into classrooms.

Apparently there is some old joke about being asked a loaded question: "Are you still beating your wife?" Of course I had never heard this used before, not in the context of lawyers or trials or even reporting. Fine. Fair enough. I sure don't know every pop-culture catch phrase out there (yes, I'm snickering).

(Warning: Rant alert)With every public election, regardless of what position is being sought, the campaigns are usually unpleasant. Each candidate tries to veer the public to vote for them by trying to taint the character and / or motives of their competitor(s). Some people understand what is going on and ignore the tactics used to try and change their minds. Others who might have already formed some negative connotations about a specific candidate might be swayed if they feel one candidate voices views that correlate with that they believe.

Lucky. My family and I are lucky. I am a working mom. A working woman. A female voter. As BlogHer Contributing Editor American Princess put it, part of the demographic that will have a "profound effect on the outcome of November's election." Like many Americans I recently went from "stay-at-home-mom who could stand to make some extra cash on the side" to "I need a job and I need it now to make ends meet in this house."

John McCain and Barack Obama seem to have recently, perhaps magically, discovered that there's a demographic out there that is going to have a profound effect on the outcome of November's election: women. As any politician does when he makes such a discovery, both of them are rapidly attempting to convince an audience of millions that their entire political philosophy -- nee, their whole lives -- center around the needs and demands of this specific group.