Media Monitor: Backstage Pass

8/31, 8:45am CT: Set of "Fox News Sunday"

Pre-show observations: While waiting to enter the Xcel Center, we found the security staff to be friendly; they offered seating, observing that "those heels must not be very comfortable" to stand in.

Show Guests: John and Cindy McCain (pre-taped 8/30), and the Sunday regulars: Fox's Brit Hume, Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, NPR's Mara Liasson and NPR's Juan Williams.

Scene: In a suite overlooking the convo floor.

After making our way to the "Fox Experience" tent, we were re-directed to the Xcel Center. After being told by security we didn't have the proper credentials to gain access to the center, we were saved by the kind people at Fox, who provided us with borrowed credentials to sit in on the last 10 minutes of the "Fox News Sunday" roundtable.

More after the jump, including pictures and an interview with Chris Wallace, who reflects on the DNC's Denver show and considers political fallout for the GOP as Hurricane Gustav interrupts the party's convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

(RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX)

The suite was rather small, but had a great view of the convo floor below, where preparations were still ongoing. When the taping ended, we headed into the green room for an interview with show host Chris Wallace.

Wallace, who is covering his 16th convention, reflected on the Dem convo, and looked ahead to this week's GOP convo.

Wallace: "I think it was a successful convention for [Barack] Obama. I think that the speeches by Hillary and Bill Clinton really helped in that regard, to heal the wounds [in the Dem party], certainly among the delegates in the hall."

More: "They may not have meant a word of it, but I think they certainly put on the best face in terms of trying to heal the wounds of the party."

Wallace also discussed the possible impact Hurricane Gustav will have on the GOP convo, and what that will tell us about the GOP response.

Wallace: "Not that anything anybody does here has any impact on Gustav, but I think Republicans are keenly aware of how badly they came off in the response to Katrina. And, if anything, I think they're going to go overboard in terms of showing their sensitivity to the people on the Gulf Coast at this convention."

Added Wallace: "It'll give you an insight into the face the Republican Party wants to present to the country."

Wallace with the McCains (courtesy of Fox):

Xcel Energy Center:

Fox's HQ in MN: