Sen. Barack Obama, formally nominated by the Democratic convention yesterday, is set to give his big acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver tonight. However, the GOP is already taking shots at the venue, which features a stage surrounded by Greek-like columns. The New York Times reports that when the plan was announced for Obama to "give his nomination address in an outdoor stadium in front of 75,000 people...members of both parties...saw it as an inspired stroke of campaign image making." But as "he landed here on Wednesday and prepared to become the first presidential candidate in nearly 50 years to accept his party's nomination on such a big stage, the plan seemed as much risky as bold."

The AP reports the McCain campaign "has been mocking the setting of Obama's speech -- he is delivering it on the 50-yard line at Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos -- as well as the stage set, which the McCain team labeled 'the temple of Obama.'" The move is part of an effort to depict Obama "as a fatuous celebrity not ready to be commander in chief." The Los Angeles Times notes the Republican's "Temple of Obama" quip comes "in the latest installment of its 'Audacity Watch' series of press releases on Obama." The Washington Post says Obama "has gambled on the historic moment by creating a stage that will magnify his performance."

Meanwhile, Democrats are expressing some apprehension as to how the speech will go. The Politico reports, "Senior Democratic officials are expressing serious concerns about the political risks posed by Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium Thursday evening," worried that "the Obama campaign is engaging in a high-risk endeavor in an uncontrollable environment." The Hill reports Democratic strategists James Carville and Stan Greenberg, speaking to reporters yesterday, said the venue "could cancel out any effort to strike a chord with voters angry at Republicans but unsure whether Obama is a candidate of substance and not just, as Republicans have said, a celebrity short on experience and ability."

Aides Preview Speech   The Wall Street Journal reports Obama will lay out "how he differs from John McCain and portraying his Republican rival as out of touch." According to "advisers," Obama "won't hesitate to express his views on President Bush and...McCain." The Politico quotes Obama strategist David Axelrod as saying of Obama's speech, "He is going to make a case about the choices that people face. He is going to make a respectful argument, but I don't think he will shy away from making those contrasts where they are appropriate." The AP reports Axelrod said Obama "had substantially finished the text but would probably continue to edit it right up until he delivers it Thursday night. ... 'His goal is to talk to the American people about the challenges we face and what we need to do to solve them, and the stakes of continuing to do what we are doing,' Axelrod said. 'I will leave it to others to decide the inspiration factor.'" Axelrod "said Obama had looked to past nominating speeches as models, including Bill Clinton's in 1992, Ronald Reagan's in 1980 and John F. Kennedy's in 1960."

The Rocky Mountain News reports that "when Obama speaks tonight, the words will be largely his own - a personal message to Americans about the choice they will make in November. 'It is now, and probably always will be, that he's the best speechwriter in the group,'" said Axelrod, adding, "He knows what he wants and he generally says it better than anybody could."

Obama's Demeanor May Hurt As Well As Help Him   In a front-page article, the New York Times reports that "some of the same qualities that have brought" Barack Obama "just one election away from the White House -- his virtuosity, his seriousness, his ability to inspire, his seeming immunity from the strains that afflict others -- may be among his biggest obstacles to getting there." He has "little about him that feels spontaneous or unpolished, and...many Americans say they do not feel they know him." Due to his emotional control, "he betrays little hint of struggle" and "can seem far removed from the troubles of some voters."

-- US News