Some key Democrats stay clear of Denver

Democrats ridiculed several Republican congressional candidates for planning to skip their party's nominating convention in St. Paul next week. It turns out many Democrats are using the same strategy.

"Our overall advice to candidates has been to stay home," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The purpose, he told Associated Press writers and editors, is "not to separate themselves from the Democratic Party, but because that's where their constituents are. You don't find your constituents in Denver, and these are important days" to campaign before the Nov. 4 election.

A number of GOP candidates, worried about President Bush's low approval ratings, have announced they will steer clear of next week's convention where John McCain will be nominated.

Van Hollen suggested that some of his Democratic candidates want to distance themselves from their party at the national level as well.

"I'm sure that there are some that are intentionally staying away, just as a symbolic indicator of their independence," he said.