The Trail

"If we really are sincere about changing -- not changing, improving -- Social Security," she said, then Republicans need to "change the mind-set" about such federal programs.

But other Republicans voted down Wing's proposal, arguing that it could become a political liability if Democrats sought to exploit the issue. Tony O'Donnell, a delegate from Maryland, warned against triggering "unintended consequences for us in future elections," adding: "This becomes our platform, not just McCain's platform."

McCain did weigh in on one relatively obscure issue, demanding that delegates insert language pledging the party's commitment to maintaining a special U.S. envoy for Northern Ireland. His Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, recently said he would review whether such an envoy was still necessary.

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said the senator wanted the envoy commitment "enshrined in the 2008 Republican platform" to underscore how strongly he feels about the issue.

"The special U.S. envoy was first appointed by President Clinton and has been critical to fostering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland," Rogers said. "That Senator Obama would be willing to toss aside one of the signature diplomatic accomplishments of the Clinton administration and put the progress in Northern Ireland at risk is only further evidence that he is simply not ready to lead."

But Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor pointed out that McCain had frequently criticized Clinton's foreign policy during the mid-1990s, including the former president's decision to grant a visa to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. In a June 1996 Foreign Policy article, McCain wrote of Clinton, "With his credibility now substantially at risk in Northern Ireland, the President finds himself stuck in a conflict that has frustrated the best efforts of many a skilled statesman."

-- Juliet Eilperin

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

'Easy Wasn't in the Cards,' Michelle Obama Tells Crowd

DENVER -- All the talk of anxiety among Democratic delegates about Barack Obama's chances this fall may have gotten to his wife, Michelle. Addressing several hundred members of the convention's black caucus at the Colorado Convention Center on Wednesday, she appeared to be referring to those worrying about the closeness of the race when she seemed to break off her train of thought before pausing and declaring in a serious and gently upbraiding tone: "This is not going to be easy. There's nothing about electing Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States that could ever be easy."

The crowd laughed knowingly.