Republicans set up shop near Demos' site

DENVER (AP) — They're grossly outnumbered by a swarm of Democrats, but national Republicans have set up shop in Denver.

While the spotlight naturally is focused on Barack Obama, Republicans have set up an effort to grab media coverage, or at least offer some balance.

It includes a "war room" and media center less than a mile from the convention hall and making top Republicans such as Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney available for press conferences and satellite interviews to television stations across the country, especially in swing states.

There's a new GOP Web site (www.notready08.com) with videos and ads, along with plans for rapid responses to attacks on GOP nominee-to-be John McCain and to speeches from the Democrats.

A staff of two dozen has set up shop in temporary workspace up the road from the Pepsi Center and thousands of journalists. Security at the war room is tight to avoid problems with Democratic protesters.