We found out today that Blue Mass. Group will be the credentialed Massachusetts blog for the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August.
The DNCC previously announced an expansion of the credentialed blogger pool from past Conventions and the addition of a state blogger credentialing program. As part of the new DemConvention State Blogger Corps, designed for bloggers covering state and local politics, bloggers will receive unparalleled access to state delegations and the floor of the Convention hall. In a truly unprecedented move, the DNCC will seat these bloggers with their respective delegations during the historic four-day event, providing even greater access for local coverage and perspective. Highlights from these blogs will also be featured on www.DemConvention.com in the lead up to and during the Convention.
“The members of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps represent a broad spectrum of voices that illustrate the 'big tent' nature of our Party,” said DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry. “Many of these blogs are vibrant communities, well respected in their home states and committed to ensuring that all voices can be heard in the political process. I'm excited about the roles these bloggers will have in engaging an even broader, more diverse base of people from around the country in conversations not only about the Convention, but about the future of our nation.”
All three of us get one credential to share between us, so that's not altogether luxurious, but understandable.
What kind of coverage of the event would you find useful and meaningful?
Props to Blogs and Bloggers! This is waaaay cool!
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p>BLOG ON!
We have national blogs and national news for that.
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p>Cover the Massachusetts angles. Cover MA politicians and delegates. Cover issues where MA and national Dems differ in their platforms [gay marriage, for example]. Cover issues where MA and tUSA have different policies [required health care, for example]. Cover concepts which are particularly relevant to MA [higher ed, health care, public transit, wind power, for examples].
Beware of the “embedded journalist” syndrome, the sort of thing that has distorted not only coverage of the Iraq war, but also much of the press’ political coverage. Spend some time with the delegation, but most of your time elsewhere. Preferably, in places where you don’t need credentials at all.
only one of us will have a credential in hand. So the other two will be left to our own, non-credentialed devices. What do you suggest we look for in those times?
Thats where the interesting news will be. Don’t talk to Obama, CNN will be all over him. Talk to the pro-lifer on the platform committee. Talk to the pro-war protester. The big news stations won’t cover the Dems for Life guys holding a rally a couple blocks away from the hall, but I’m sure you will be able to meet a guy from Fitchburg or Amesbury or Norwood there. Talk to them. Find out why they traveled across country to attend the convention of a party that they love but who won’t accept them.
and here i thought he was warning them away from the English muffins.
Gonzo Journalism. Talk your way into the good after parties, then consume as much alcohol as possible and accost delegates and supers with deranged yet hilarious conspiracy theories. Record as it’s happening because you won’t be able to remember what the hell happened last night afterwards. See if you can get Barney Frank to do a kegstand.
It’s surprisingly easy.
the faces because that will tell you more than anything else. Keep an eye on Gore and Dean. Get to know security. If they’ve seen you once or twice, they’ll let you pass through even without your credentials (my preferred method). Act like you are VIP’s (which, of course, you are). Pay attention to who’s going in and out of the VIP doors (often the best way to catch politicos and have good conversations).
I don’t know, but I think I’m planning to go, so I will try to find out what else is going on. I certainly kept myself busy during the 2004 DNC in Boston without ever once setting foot inside the convention itself.
There are many events that are open to interested Demcorats. Niether credentials nor invitations are needed. For example, I met Barak Obama in 2004 at an environmental rally in Boston. It was a public open event with maybe 50 people. Having said that, if you have the opportunity, try to get in the hall at least once. There is something special about actually being in the building during a national convention. Having said that, if you have a chance to get credentials, get them.
Myself, I am very interested in the attendance, involvement and votes of the MASS delegation.
As I understand it, the designated Massachusetts delegate hotel does not have extra rooms. If your press crednetials get you access to a room at the delegate hotel, use it.
And three to a room?
I expect three eight-hour shifts: one in the convention hall (closed, open, or not I don’t care in…break in if you have to and blog about the security practices), one person interviewing on the streets for “local color” (even if it’s the half-asleep watchman at a u-stor-it warehouse who’s never heard of Obama), and one person in the hotel room sleeping, then blogging about their dreams.
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p>Twelve post-per-day minimum, or I’ll whine that I’m not getting my money’s worth for this free product.
We got C-Span for that. What’s going on away from the floor. Sure, the gossip, but also the mechanics of the convention that always get ignored.
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p>How is Massachusetts voting on platform and charter amendments?
What are the platform and charter amendments? When does the voting happen?
Is anyone local mixed up in any of them?
How do people in other states view Deval? A competent governor or not; a future national candidate or not?
How about John Kerry…or Niki Tsongas?
Once things settle down with the nomination (fingers crossed), you could contact a few of the delegates. Do some back ground and follow them through the process.
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p>Hope you can get that kind of access. Dean is pushing transparency. Some will play along, for the most part.
Seriously – are you flying or driving 4 days each way? MCRD is right that this could be way expensive. Or are the advertisements/BMG income enough to float it?
Livin’ large, there, MCRD. I think we can bring it in a bit cheaper than that.
😉
Of course, I take it everywhere … but I’m thinking about a new look. Whaddya say?
You know, it’s a really fine line between preppy/expensive and super-dorky-kitsch. I’m confused. Do you wear this on Nantucket, or in Allston?
be sure it tops off a nice pair of polka dotted seersuckers.
LOVE that artifact – I mean sport coat – did you get it at the revolving museum?
n/m
Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition. I look forward to your perspective at the Convention.
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p>One suggestion – spend some time talking with youth delegates and first-time delegates to the Convention. I think one of the great advantages of the competitive Democratic Primary is the enthusiasm it has generated and the new people it has brought into the electoral process.
do you get to wear funny hats too, or do you have to remain haberdasher-neutral? you at least need fedoras with a PRESS card sticking up from the band.
How about a black fedora to top it off? (lol)
Oh…you’e going to THAT convention…
that you’re slumming it again this year?
“My blog went to the DNC and all I got was this lousy tshirt/mug.”
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p>Not so seriously, I’m always interested in wandering around these things and seeing the tshirt/button slogans. There are always some clever ones that never seem to make it outside the event. Even in the blogoworld.
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p>Another tip: check in with some politicians or party regulars who have gone before. Before you go. Who better to help you find the nooks and crannies than the crooks and nannies, after all.