U.S. stock-market futures declined Monday morning following the long holiday weekend. As the hopes for a quick economic recovery waned, oil prices dropped sharply, adding to pressure on stocks. After focusing much on the economy, investors will now turn their attention also to earnings as the beginning of the second quarter earnings season begins. Meanwhile, today, the headlines have more auto news as the General Motors' bankruptcy plan received a federal judge's approval.

Vice President Joe Biden didn't help to instill confidence in Wall Street when said Sunday on an ABC interview the Obama administration "misread how bad the economy was." He added, though, that the administration stands by its stimulus package and believes the plan will create more jobs as the pace of its spending picks up. With nonfarm payrolls data last Thursday showing U.S. employers slashed 467,000 jobs in June -- 100,000 more than anticipated -- many hope the administration is right.

Right here, in my hometown of Minneapolis-St.Paul, the Republican National Convention is set to begin. The hotels, restaurants and bars are abuzz and a table for four is a tough reservation to secure!

The convention has been tempered down as the nation watched Hurricane Gustav, the first and most important priority. As the hurricane dwindles into just a huge rain storm, the convention can resume its course.

They say that once the conventions are finished, the nation truly focuses in on the presidential election. The 15% or so who watch the primaries in earnest will be joined by the other 85% who have tuned out. Well, now it's time to tune in. Both McCain and Obama have interesting and fascinating backgrounds; both have come such different paths to their respective party's nominations.

Many said Obama is inexperienced, until his campaign totally outmaneuvered the Clinton machine -- so much for inexperience. Senator Joe Biden brings 36 years of Washington experience to the ticket, although I'm not sure if that's really relevant in this election.

McCain electrified the Republican base by naming Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Her experience is also limited, although she does have executive experience, far more than Biden, Obama and McCain combined! The addition of Governor Palin has, at least locally here in Convention City, mobilized a great number of voters who were warm, maybe lukewarm, to Senator McCain. Many in Minnesota thought our governor, Tim Pawlenty, would grace the ticket with McCain. Politics makes for strange bedfellows though.