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Robert talks to Jacob Weisberg, Chief Political Correspondent for the on-line magazine Slate, about political advertising throughout the campaign, and the BIGGEST political ad of them all, the four-day convention. This year's GOP convention has been highlighted by music and video and packaged presentations. There's been a look and sound from the stage unlike any other GOP event before, with lots of minorities. And Weisberg notes the inclusion of performers like Brian McKnight, an R&B artist, whose song Monday night seem to baffle a lot of the audience who weren't used to hip-hop at a GOP event. There have also been video presentations of past Republican presidents. Another recurring theme: the live feed of the candidate, George W Bush from the campaign trail every night, making his way to Philadelphia.

The Republican convention that began today, and its Democratic counterpart that begins in two weeks are underwritten by taxpayer financing. Each major party gets $13.5 million for its four-day nominating extravaganza. The public funding was supposed to fee the parties from their dependence on private sponsors for these events. But the parties have found ways to accept private donations as well. NPR's Peter Overby reports the conventions are now more elaborate and expensive than ever.

Robert talks to Jack Randorff, the acoustical engineer in charge of sound at the Republican Convention. It's Randorff's job to make sure everyone at the convention -- and perhaps more importantly, the broadcast audience -- can hear the sounds of the gavel, and the voices of the speakers. (2:30)NOTE: MUSIC HEARD HERE WAS THE ESKIMO "MOUTH BOW" VERSION OF THE "ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" THEME, PLAYED BY JOHN PALMES OF JUNEAU, ALASKA

The "at" (@) sign -- the letter "A" encircled by a loop -- is everywhere these days -- thanks to the internet and E-mail addresses. But where did the sign originate and what is it actually called? According to Giorgio Stabile, a professor of history in Rome, the "at" symbol or "amphora symbol" is not a new sign at all -- and it predates the 18th century as historians previously believed. Professor Stabile has been hard at work for the past three months studying this ubiquitous symbol -- and has now traced it back to May 4, 1536 in a Roman mercantile document signed by Francesco Lapi. No doubt the race is on to find earlier recordings but for now -- the "at" symbol, drawn as we know it, dates back at least as far as the Italian Renaissance. We also went out to ask folks on the streets of Washington about @.

At the University of Dayton today, George Bush addressed one of the biggest crowds of his campaign, more than 3,000 people. He talked about education, social security, strengthening the military, and promoted his wife Laura's speech tonight to the Republican National Convention. After the rally, Bush rode with Mrs. Bush to the airport to see her off to Philadelphia. NPR's Don Gonyea is traveling with the campaign, Linda talked with him this afternoon.

JP Manoux (mah-NOO) is a professional commercial actor. At least he was until May 1st, that's when the Screen Actors Guild went on strike. It's a strike that continues with no end in sight. He offers his musings on the business of commercial acting and what the strike means to him and for his craft.

Robert Siegel is at the Republican convention in Philadelphia, where he talks with Marvin Olasky, an occasional informal advisor to George W. Bush. He also coined the phrase Compassionate Conservatism, a phrase that is also the title of Olasky's new book. Olasky is a University of Texas journalism professor, and also senior fellow of the Acton Institute for the study of Religion and Liberty. He talks with Robert about how Bush's Christianity could infuse his presidency and his policies.

NPR's Scott Horsley reports Ford Motor Company and telecom giant Qualcomm will offer wireless communication systems to new cars. The venture, called Wingcast, will be installed in all new Fords by 2004, giving drivers access to e-mail and wireless Internet services. But some worry that these distractions will affect road safety.

Host Alex Chadwick talks to David Horowitz editor of the Jerusalem Report about Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's political woes. Yesterday, Barak survived a no-confidence vote despite coalition defections, a failed peace summit and the election of right-wing opposition politician Moshe Katzav as president.

Commentator Kevin Phillips says this is the sixth time Philadelphia has hosted the Republicans since 1856. The city has been good to GOP incumbents, but three times an untested candidate has won the nomination, and all three lost in November.