by Thomas Pierce

It's official: what began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois will end on November 4th in Chicago's Grant Park. Will it be a celebration or a concession? Nobody knows. (Many claim to know.)

The announcement came with some bad news for the media. The best positions at the site for reporters, cameras, and crew will cost an arm and a leg (and the other arm and the other leg). Lynn Sweet writes that if a reporter wants access to the press filing center, it might cost $935. And as she puts it, "This is an outrageous pay to play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets."

No word yet on the McCain event site (or press filing center price tag), though word is he'll be in Phoenix.