Does Obama’s candidacy reflect a broader shift in Democratic Party politics? Some would say yes. Ending the war is now a majority position. There is a shift on trade. Universal healthcare is—if not part of the platform—at least on the table. There’s much to be done but is the convention this year a sign that the game has changed?

Others would argue that Obama has successfully co-opted the progressive left's agenda but that his policies do not mark a departure from the status quo. He opposed the Iraq war but has vigorously called for an increase of troops in Afghanistan. His approach to Israel (and Biden's as well) is more of the same. His healthcare plan is weak, and as discussed on a previous panel, keeps private insurance companies in charge. It's difficult to know where he stands on trade. Many of his economic advisers including Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furman are firm free trade advocates. Then there's FISA, faith based initiatives, and offshore drilling. Have things really changed?

Here to discuss the state of the Party, the 50 state strategy, and what lies ahead are Chris Hayes, The Nation’s Washington D.C. Editor, and Dan Slater, Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the convention. Coming up tonight an interview with Barbara Lee, a roundtable on Obama's economic policies, and from '68 to '08: What's happened to the power of culture.