Just got an email from my "Minnesotans for Obama" group. It's now confirmed that Obama will be in St. Paul, Minnesota this Tuesday night to declare victory in the Democratic nomination!
Obama will be speaking at the Xcel Energy Center, also known as the home of the Republican National Convention.
According to MinnesotaMonitor.com,
Time Magazine is reporting that Barack Obama will lay claim to the Democratic presidential nomination at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday evening. With primaries in South Dakota and Montana slated for that day, Obama is expected to cross the party's 2,026-delegate threshold for assuring his nomination.
The Xcel center, of course, is where John McCain will officially be proclaimed the Republican party's presidential nominee in September. Obama undoubtedly hopes that the symbolic setting will finally kickstart the general election campaign.
Look for Hillary Clinton in the parking lot outside waving a "not finished fighting" placard.
What a perfect setting to finally end this historic nomination process. The heart of the beast! Gotta love the symbolism. More proof that Obama is the candidate that will stare the GOP down before punching it right in the face. You think they're scared yet?
They'd better be.
Update: Ben Smith's quick take over on Politico:
Tuesday is the night of the final Democratic primaries, and the choice of venue is a mischievous, aggressive way for Obama to unofficially kick off the general election campaign against Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The location gives huge meaning to the moment, with Obama likely to frame a tough case against his new opponent in the very hall where McCain will accept his party’s nomination.