By J. PATRICK COOLICAN, Las Vegas Sun

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Republican National Convention here is as much about the far-off future as it is about the November election.

Here's why: Although the party's nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, has a strong shot at winning this fall, his age and health history -- he's had cancer -- make him more likely to serve one term than any recent president.

DENVER -- The most revealing moments at the Democratic National Convention didn't happen in the hall or on the stage. They occurred as activists, political operatives and thinkers gather at small forums around Denver to talk about the future.

Two panels this week revealed potential fault lines among Democrats if they end up in control of the White House and Congress.

LAS VEGAS -- Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons had hoped for a fresh start. After an inglorious 18 months in which his public approval sank below President Bush's, Gibbons shook up his senior staff and successfuly prodded state legislators to make painful budget cuts instead of raising taxes. The governor seemed poised for a do-over.

For all the chaos of the Jan. 19 Nevada Democratic caucuses, it may pale in comparison with what happens Saturday when the elected delegates gather for the next step in the process.

About 7,000 Clark County Democrats are to gather in Las Vegas to elect delegates to the state convention this spring in Reno.

LAS VEGAS -- After wearing helmets while riding in tanks and being for things before being against them, the party of the late response and the lame attack ad has learned how to do politics this election.

Democratic presidential candidates, having split victories in New Hampshire and Iowa, are using every tactic available here in Nevada.

To wit: