Harry Reid

Earlier cartoon: John McCain: 'Country First'

Plus, click more to watch the video of U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).

WASHINGTON - The Golden State's senior U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein, picked up a hammer Wednesday and symbolically began construction on the 2009 presidential inaugural platform.

Feinstein, who chairs the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, was joined Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) in the traditional "First Nail" ceremony which kicks off construction of the platform and planning for the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20.

The third day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, with a theme of "Securing America's Future."

The day will begin with the nominating process for President, including nominating speeches for U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), followed by a roll call vote.

The headline speaker will be vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Featured speakers will include President Bill Clinton (D), U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

The full schedule is below.