The host committee for the Democratic National Convention set for Denver next month is avoiding paying state and federal taxes on gasoline by gassing up vehicles at a city fuel depot, according to a city councilwoman quoted yesterday on the Web site of the Rocky Mountain News. “There’s something there that just doesn’t seem right to me because, in a sense, you’re saying then that the officials who pass the laws are not willing to live by them, and that concerns me,” the Denver official, Jeanne Faatz, said at a city meeting yesterday. “I believe this is only for elected officials, government dignitaries,” Mayor Hickenlooper said at the session, according to the News. “My understanding is in Washington or wherever where this happens on a regular basis, that it’s standard operating procedure. I do know for a fact that they’re doing the same exact thing in Minneapolis.” Not so, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention’s host committee in that city, Teresa McFarland, told the paper. “We’re not getting a tax break on fuel,” she said. “That’s not the set-up at this end.”

A spokeswoman for the Democratic convention, Natalie Wyeth, said the taxes would be paid. “The Denver Host Committee will pay all applicable taxes and fees related to their fuel contract, as they should,” she said in a statement e-mailed to The New York Sun.

McCAIN GIVES DISPUTED DONATIONS TO CHARITY

On the day Senator McCain surged to victory in Florida’s presidential primary, a group of supporters gathered at the elegant Tampa Club for a luncheon held by Governor Crist and Senator Martinez. Mingling with some of the state’s business and political elite that January day was a Florida newcomer, an Oregon venture capitalist named Craig Berkman. Unbeknown to the guests, Mr. Berkman’s life was crashing around him.

For two years, Mr. Berkman had been battling his investment partners after admitting that he had lent himself $5 million of their money without telling them. A civil fraud case against him was about to go to trial. Mr. Berkman continued to raise money for Mr. McCain. He and his wife have donated $50,000 to Republican candidates and party committees this election cycle, including a $28,500 check to the Republican National Committee’s Victory Fund on May 29 to support Mr. McCain’s bid. Mr. Berkman’s generosity has angered his former investors, who prevailed in court but have not seen the $28 million in civil damages that a jury awarded them.

This week, the McCain campaign said that it has given Mr. Berkman’s donations to charity and that it will ask the Republican National Committee to do the same.

OBAMA DEFENDS IRAQ PROPOSAL

Senator Obama yesterday defended his proposal to withdraw American forces from Iraq over a 16-month period despite opposition to any timeline from the American commander, General David Petraeus. More forces are needed to combat a perilous situation in Afghanistan, Mr. Obama said. “I believe that the best way to support Iraqi sovereignty and to encourage the Iraqis to stand up is through the responsible redeployment of our combat brigades,” Mr. Obama told reporters after completing a four-day visit to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Declining to speak in detail about his discussions with General Petraeus, the candidate said the commander wants as much flexibility as possible on troop strength. Mr. Obama said he would neither ignore the advice of military commanders nor accept it outright.

OBAMA GETS A ROYAL LIFT

Senator Obama has been to the Middle East before, but not as the Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting, and his Jordanian hosts yesterday seemed eager to prepare a warm greeting. King Abdullah flew back from Colorado for the visit, and Obama aides said the Jordanians had suggested a one-on-one meeting before the two were joined by a larger group for dinner at the palace. Abdullah told Mr. Obama that achieving Palestinian Arab statehood was essential for ending the Arab-Israeli conflict, according to a royal palace statement summarizing his remarks during their private meeting. The king later drove his guest to the airport in his Mercedes.