Leak Details Dems' Convention Plans

Spoiler Alert: No, not for the Olympics, for this summer's Democratic National Convention.

Politico's Mike Allen got his hands on plans for the three-day convention. The big takeaway: It will feature appearances by a handful of Republicans, along with a concerted effort to paint Mitt Romney as, in the words of the leaked docs, "someone who doesn't understand middle class challenges." President Obama, meanwhile, will be held up as "someone whose life story is about fighting for middle class Americans and those working to get into the middle class."

OK, we admit, neither of those plans are exactly shockers to anyone who has been following Team Obama's line of attack in the past few months. But the leak nonetheless provides a sneak peek at what prime-time viewers can expect to see if and when they tune in to the convention coverage early next month.

Exactly which Republicans those viewers will see on the DNC stage, however, remains to be seen. Allen writes:

Convention planners are considering featuring a centrist Republican leader on at least two of the three nights. Nightly remotes from swing states may include a CEO or “major Republican.” On Wednesday night, a “notable GOP woman” is among the possible participants. And on the final night, Democrats may include a Republican leader—someone like former Sens. John Warner or Chuck Hagel—or a GOP woman. “This segment would speak directly to independents, noting we are all ‘Americans first,’ ” the documents say. “Depending on the speaker’s background, the President’s military accomplishments might be highlighted.”

Other highlights of the leak include:

—Nightly "social contrasts" in which two speakers will talk, testimonial style, about a controversial campaign issue (though Slate's Emily Bazelon is disappointed by the caution the campaign is taking in the selection of said speakers).

—A focus on the auto bailout and other actions the president is touting as his accomplishments: "Tell the story of the President’s accomplishments—the auto rescue, manufacturing, ending the war, health care, energy—as central to his fight for the middle class and America’s long-term economic strength," the plans explain.

—A possible appearance with short remarks by the president's daughters.

As Politico admits, the plans represent only a tentative blueprint for the September convention, but seem to hit on many of the expected major themes of Obama's campaign strategy for the fall.