A stadium to match Obama's mile-high hopes

As a sports nut, Barack Obama knows a good taunt when he sees one. His means of choice these days? Cavernous sports venues where he can flaunt his legions.

Last month, Obama picked the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul -- the site of the Republican National Convention in September -- to claim victory in the Democratic nomination race. Today, the Democratic Party announced that Obama will deliver his big Democratic National Convention speech in Denver's INVESCO Field, the Denver Broncos' stadium, instead of the smaller indoor arena that will house the rest of the festivities.

The move will give Obama one heck of a visual in a crucial swing state this fall: a sea of some 75,000 fans, packed into an outdoor football stadium, screaming their heads off for their November hopeful.

"The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention," Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. "Senator Obama's candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 convention. By bringing the last night of the convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama's positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way."

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a co-chairwoman of the convention and a potential running mate for Obama, added, "This change in the convention program will allow thousands of first-time participants a chance to take part. I can't think of a better convention finale for our nominee who has made reaching out to voters a hallmark of his campaign."

UPDATE: Matt Burns, the communications director for the Republican National Convention, just released a response. “Not surprisingly, Senator Obama and his fellow Democrats are more focused on stagecraft and theatrics than providing real solutions to the challenges facing our nation," he said. "A change of venue for a speech isn’t the kind of change the American people deserve or expect – and that’s why we’re confident the next president of the United States will be nominated at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.”