It's day 2 of the GOP Convention in MSP and right now I'm backstage at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis waiting for Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic to get started.

The lack of posting yesterday was due to the fact, that well, there was nothing to cover as almost all convention activity was suspended. But as I predicted, Hurricane Gustav wasn't the mother of all storms that some feared it would be, and we've now returned to our regularly scheduled program here in MSP.

Because Paul wasn't invited to speak at the GOP Convention - he's throwing his own gig - and according to reports the venue's been sold out.

David and I walked in just as Paul was wrapping up a press conference - but Matthew Yglesias has the round up here.

I'm blogging this from the press filing center - a collection of folding tables backstage - and we're seeing a pretty heavy media presence for the rally - lots of tv cameras and reporters. I think it's because the GOP Convention doesn't kick off until 6 or 7 tonight and everyone's looking for something to cover this afternoon. Smart planning by the Paul campaign to hold this now - the only problem is that Dr. Paul doesn't take the stage until 7PM - a time when most media (including myself) will have already moved down the street to the Xcel Center.

As always check out RNCO8.com for up-to-the-minute Twitter coverage.

Updated: 1:44PM Check out David's interview with Ron Paul's communications director Jesse Benton:

More videos of the rally on the TechRepublican YouTube channel here.