August 25, 2008
What the DNC State Blogger Corps Really Gets You
DCist is participating in a first of its kind credential program at this year's Democratic National Convention. We're serving as the selected blogger representing the District of Columbia in the DNC State Blogger Corps. Here's how The New York Times described the desirability of our credential:
For bloggers attending the Democratic convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, two types of credentials are offered. The first is a national credential, which offers the same access granted to members of traditional news media organizations.So, what does this "coveted" credential actually get you? To start with, a daily floor pass, with unlimited access to wander around the convention floor, take photos, and talk with anyone we please. We also have one seat within the allocated section reserved for the D.C. delegation, and a hard-wired internet hookup right at that seat. I'm typing this from the convention floor as we speak.The second, more coveted credential is the state blogger credential. It allows one blogger per state to cover the convention alongside its state delegation, with unlimited floor access. Inspired by the strategy of Howard Dean, the D.N.C. chairman, to organize in all 50 states, the state-blogging credential was highly sought after, with as many as 14 blogs vying to represent a single state.
It's not hard to understand why Howard Dean wanted an army of bloggers roaming the floor of the Pepsi Center. Other state bloggers are wandering around introducing themselves to each other, excited to be here and impressed by where they're standing. Big time TV news anchors are right there! Was that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano who just walked by? This sure is a big, bright shiny room. And so on. State Blogger Corps: decidedly neat-o.
On the other hand, everything that's going to happen on stage is either being televised or is available to stream off the internet. Not to mention the generally accepted truth that conventions don't actually, uh, add up to much real news. It wouldn't be very interesting for me or for you if I just sit here and type up what's happening at the podium. What will I do instead? This sort of thing has never been done before, so I'm more or less making it up as I go along. Stick around to find out what DCist ends up doing as a member of the State Blogger Corps.
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So where in that Ginormous Pepsi Center is the DC delegation actually sitting? (couldn't tell from the pictures) I heard the Delaware delegation got to move up all the way to the front (brown nosers!) DC needs to cultivate a Vice President pick to get the front-of-the-line views our delegates deserve!
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Maybe McCain will make the surprise of the election his pick of Carol Schwartz as his #2 and turn DC Red for the first time since... um ... 1800?
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1814, DCster.
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We're sitting at the very top, house left, behind Connecticut and in between Idaho and the Virgin Islands. All the small delegations are around here: American Samoa, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, all very close by.
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that's pretty cool, Sommer. i imagine being in Denver is way more exciting than sitting in Cosi surfing washingtonpost.com, wtop.com, etc, and posting about whether a panda is pregnant or not.
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All the small delegations are around here: American Samoa, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, all very close by.
Nice how they segregate all the contrarian States and uppity Senator-free territories and protectorates all in one little convention ghetto. Are the bathrooms clearly labelled "STATES WITH SENATORS" and "EVERYBODY ELSE?
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Katie Couric ... she's still on TV? I thought they booted her when her network's ratings were surpassed by "It's Academic".
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go to boulder if you get the time, sommer...