home

DNC Media Walk-Through

The DNCC is hosting the first media walk-through for the Democratic National Convention in Denver tomorrow.

Events kick off in an hour with a reception at the Wynkoop Brewery. Tomorrow is the walk-through. I'll miss some of it as I have early court in the morning. But I will be there to hear Howard Dean for lunch.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean will address members of the media attending the 2008 Democratic National Convention Fall Media Walk-Through during a luncheon at 12:00 p.m. MT on TUESDAY, November 13, 2007, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Media Walk-Through is being organized by the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC).

...Governor Dean will address members of the media from international, national, local and online outlets planning their coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

This should be fun. More details when I return.

Update below:

There were a few hundred people at the Wynkoop. Lots of food and drink but I didn't see many bloggers.

I spent a lot of time with McJoan of Daily Kos and Wendy of Colorado Confidential. The food went on and on, more than I've seen in one place for a while. There were tables with free photo books and visitors' guides to Denver. Today and tomorrow, the journalists are invited on free tours of local attractions, from the Art Museum to LoDo and many more. There are shuttle buses every 15 minutes from the hotels to the Pepsi Center tomorrow morning to get all the journalists to and from the walk-through.

As I was arriving, I saw my favorite Congresswoman, Diana DeGette, entering the steakhouse Sullivan's, a few doors down from the Wynkoop. She had just left the media event where she had welcomed the group. Turned out she was hosting a "Men for DeGette" event at Sullivan's, something that got its start after some of the local male candidates had hosted "Women for Udall" and similar events. Of course, that meant McJoan, Wendy and I had to crash it.

We did and ended up having a great talk with Diana. She insisted we stay for a drink. McJoan is going to interview her later this week for the new book she's writing.

Back to the media event. The Lexis Nexis folks were on hand. They told me they will have a large space at the DNC for the press and bloggers. It will be open for us to go do research and they will have staff there to help us with it, from fact checking to getting accurate quotes, video, whatever we need. Free.

The walk-through starts early tomorrow morning. There are 400 journalists scheduled to attend. Because I have court at 10 am, I won't get there until the breakout sessions at 11. There are sessions for print media, bloggers, broadcast media and photographers. Then lunch with Howard Dean at noon. Then it's over and the shuttle buses will take the journalists to the airport.

It's very evident that a huge amount of work has been going on in Denver for months planning this convention. I think it's going to run very smoothly. The planners are very aware that it's not just the 5,000 or 10,000 or so delegates that are coming but probably 25,000 more in media. The welcome mat is being rolled out for all. And a lot of attention is being paid to technological needs.

August seems like a long ways off, but I'm already getting excited. It's also a great feeling to know this time I don't have to get on an airplane or stay in a hotel or learn how to get around an unfamiliar city.

For bloggers not so lucky who do have to travel to get here, I hope you will come. It's going to be a great time. Boston in 2004 was a fun experience, and being at the convention live is a whole different and much more rewarding experience than watching it on tv.

While we were newbies at the Boston convention and somewhat of an oddity, this time around we're being welcomed as established media. So apply for your press credentials and book your trip early, then relax and prepare to have a great time in our wonderful city.

< Obama Touts His Death Penalty Reform Role | Sentencing Commission Hearing Today on Retroactivity of Crack Guidelines >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    tell howard to run! (none / 0) (#1)
    by seabos84 on Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 05:48:00 PM EST
    I don't care about promises he made to ANYONE in DC

    what they've 'accomplished' in the last 4 years proves that all of them should be fired.

    I'll NEVER blame the fascists for being fascists - scum are scum.

    what, who are the turkeys on 'my' side sucking up paychecks and space?

    rmm.

    Inside and outside (none / 0) (#2)
    by Ben Masel on Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 11:52:05 PM EST
    It can be taken as a given there'll be substantial antiwar, and likely other protests outside the Convention. Any signs the Party's ready to take an affirmative role in averting the fiasco of a police riot as seen most recently outside the 2000 Convention in LA?

    My experience would suggest the wisest course is for the Party (not waiting for selection of a nominee, to take a role in ensuring space within sight and sound, and exerting influence on the City not to create a PoliceState atmosphere on the streets. Plenty of cops, sure, but keep the robo riot gear stashed. You get the party you dress for.

    Howard Dean Go Scream (none / 0) (#3)
    by Marguerite Quantaine on Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 12:01:45 PM EST
    Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist and the Republican held legislature changed Florida's primary date.

    Howard Dean responded by punishing Florida Democrats for what the Republicans did. (Insert conspiracy theory here.)

    Florida Democrats responded by including all candidates on the ballot and turning out in record numbers to vote. Hillary Clinton won. Obama did just fine.  

    Dean knows full well how Floridians feel.

    If you don't count our January votes, don't count on us in November.

    Can you hear us NOW?