Planned politics

DENVER - During the Democratic National Convention, Denver's Pepsi Center is abuzz with thousands of delegates, journalists, vendors, workers and others.

But outside the arena, beyond the big white media tents and TV satellite trucks, is a broad no-man's land protected by chain link, concrete barriers and police roadblocks, reports Jim Morrill.

The security perimeter extends for blocks around the arena itself. The closest light rail stop is closed for the week. A shuttle bus from downtown dropped its passengers off several blocks away, a long walk in the hot afternoon sun.

From the hotel where the North Carolina delegation is staying, in a far south suburb, it takes about 20 minutes to get downtown by light rail. To get a convention shuttle downtown, you pass by the convention center. Outside the center are vendors of almost every stripe. There are Obama buttons, T-shirts and necklaces. Animal rights activists passed out "Tax Meat" buttons.

And Planned Parenthood volunteers, dressed in pink T-shirts, handed out special mementoes: Pink containers of condoms.

"Protect yourself from John McCain," they said.