Authorities downplay threats to Obama

DENVER — Federal authorities Tuesday downplayed threats made by two men arrested over the weekend with rifles, sniper scopes and an alleged desire to kill Sen. Barack Obama.

Shawn Robert Adolf, 33, and Tharin Robert Gartrell, 28, face federal weapons charges, as does an associate, Nathan Johnson. U.S. Attorney Troy Eid said that, during a methamphetamine binge, the men had expressed racist views and spoken about killing the presumed Democratic nominee.

The vague talk, Eid said, does not meet the legal standard for filing charges for threatening a presidential candidate. "The law recognizes a difference between a true threat — that's one that can be carried out — and the reported racist rants of drug abusers," Eid said.

Eid acknowledged that many questions have not been answered, including why the men had high-powered weaponry, body armor, two-way radios, wigs and camouflage gear. It also was unclear how they decided to base themselves in a suburban hotel where they believed — erroneously — that Obama was staying.

In a jailhouse interview with a Denver TV station, Johnson said he did not know whether Adolf and Gartrell would have taken action. "I don't want to say yes, but I don't want to say no," he said.

Guest of honor arrives today for party

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sen. Barack Obama rumbles into Denver today after a campaign swing through closely contested states and a lot of late nights working on his Thursday-night acceptance speech.

During a speech in Kansas City on Tuesday, Obama renewed his emphasis on economic themes, pledging to enforce occupational health and safety regulations as president and declaring that Republican rival John McCain "doesn't get it" when it comes to anxieties that many middle-class workers are facing.

Opening night posts ratings gain

The opening night of the Democratic National Convention drew more than 22 million viewers, 20 percent more than in 2004, according to Nielsen Media Research.

NBC pulled an average of 4.71 million viewers for its hourlong special, up 4 percent from four years ago. ABC attracted 4.17 million viewers, down 5 percent. CBS fared the worst, pulling in 3.46 million viewers, a drop of 24 percent.

The picture was far rosier for the cable news networks, whose decision to devote nearly all their programming to the convention paid off. All posted major gains over 2004.

CNN's ratings propelled it past ABC and CBS at the 7 p.m. PDT hour. The network averaged 4.27 million viewers. Fox News had 2.92 million viewers, and MSNBC had 2.10 million.

Republicans debate platform

MINNEAPOLIS — Republicans went on record Tuesday with a reaffirmation of their hard line on abortion and edged toward a more moderate stance toward climate change, reflecting the views of both John McCain and the conservative base.

In its platform debate, the party stuck to its call for a constitutional amendment banning abortion despite McCain's opposition, and toughened already uncompromising language on the issue.

Conservatives succeeded in removing a line that merely urged a reduction in abortions — underscoring their point that abortion should be eliminated. At the same time, the party weighed an energy policy acknowledging the human imprint on climate change.

Romney, Pawlenty auditioning for No. 2?

DENVER — Final auditions for Republican John McCain's running mate, perhaps?

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was in Denver on Tuesday to criticize Democrat Barack Obama on behalf of the GOP nominee-in-waiting. Another Republican said to be in contention for the No. 2 slot, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, was scheduled to play attack dog in the city Thursday.

The Arizona senator is expected to name his vice-presidential pick this week.

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