Saturday, April 05, 2008

Media worried about Denver hotel availabilty

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The media is getting antsy about the allocation of hotels to the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

Some say Denver is risking a barrage of grumpy press reports during the Democratic National Convention if it can’t find more hotel rooms for the folks who buy ink by the barrel. With more than four months until the August convention, some of the country’s biggest news outlets have yet to secure temporary barracks for the armies they’re sending to cover the conclusion of this year’s dramatic presidential primary.
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Some media logistic planners have gone into panic mode lately after the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) notified them that they might get only a fraction of the rooms they have requested.”…Some national television networks and The Associated Press, have reserved big blocks of hotel rooms on their own. But other outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, Reuters and others, have requested dozens of hotel rooms via the DNCC. So far they’ve been allotted only a fraction of the rooms, various sources said.
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Theoretically, there are another 25,000 hotel rooms in the six-county metro area. However, as of this week, many hotels reported being booked solid for convention week, and even some low-budget facilities were advertising New York-style prices. For example, the travel site Expedia.com listed the modest Budget Host Inn near Six Flags Elitch Gardens, which currently costs $65 per night, for $429 per night the last week of August. A hotel manager … said owners had not decided whether to be open or proceed with a planned renovation that week.
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Richard Sharf, president and chief executive officer for the Denver Metro Convention…..speculated that DNCC officials were holding extra rooms until they find out whether they need space for the Florida and Michigan delegations, or for either one or two top candidates after the last primaries in June. – Rocky Mountain News Continue Reading...

Thursday, April 03, 2008

DC Add-ons named

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The District of Columbia named its two add-ons tonight. They are:

DC City Council members Yvette Alexander and Harry Thomas Jr . We’ve been told both are Obama supporters, and we’ll add them to the list as soon as we get appropriate sources. Alexander is an Obama supporter, while Thomas is a former Clinton supporter who is now on the fence, given his ward voted 83% for Obama. We’re still looking for a quote from Alexander before we can add her. Continue Reading...

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Deadline For Democratic National Convention Youth Essay Contest Fast Approaching

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

We told you about the Write to Lead Youth Essay Contest in February. We’re just over 2 weeks away from the deadline to submit an essay. If you can’t get in as a delegate or volunteer this may be an alternative.

The Democratic National Convention Committee, Post-News Educational Services and Qwest are issuing a last call for students across Colorado to enter the “WRITE TO LEAD” essay contest — a unique opportunity for Colorado youth to voice their thoughts on leadership and the future of our country and to engage in the 2008 Democratic National Convention experience. Finalists will have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors to state delegations from across the country, and two Presidential Winners will attend the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Continue Reading...