Yes, even with wunderkid Obama at the helm, I've been waiting for something to happen, whether it be an attack from John McCain or (more likely) party-inflicted stupidity, and today it has happened.

On the front page of the New York Times is the article I have been waiting for (though i have a sneaking suspicion this is only the first of many between now and November). It details how planning the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado this summer is proving to be an enormous headache.

The budget has been underestimated, money has been spent foolishly, and the party is struggling to put on a good show to prove to the world that all sides have kissed and made up in the aftermath of the grueling, seemingly endless primary season. If this weren't enough to make me bang my head against my wall, hard, this one particular particular problem certainly is: in the 28 page contract signed with the City of Denver, the DNC agreed for completely unfathomable reasons that the food should contain:

"'at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white.' Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away."

Look, I'm all for eating healthy, promoting locally grown produce, and supporting sustainable, organic agriculture. Our planet is in bad shape, and the effort is a commendable one. But when you start agreeing to stipulations (and subsequently getting into arguments) over what color the food should be, you start looking less like the party that can win the general election and lead the country successfully, and more like a complete parody. How can the DNC even hope to be taken seriously as a political party if they wind up fighting about the color of the food on their plates (and blue/purple? What the hell are they going to serve? Blue corn and Terra chips?)?

It's this kind of stupid incompetence that makes it all too easy to start losing faith in the Democratic Party. If the Obama campaign has any sense, now that they are involved in the planning process, they will take charge and restore order to the process. Failure to do this and to resolve the issues surrounding this convention (food nonsense aside, the convention is costing a huge amount of money) puts the Democratic Party in the position of being a laughingstock instead of the party that will (hopefully) retake all the branches of the government come November.