Media Presence

By Cathaerine Fergson/Washington Bureau Intern

DENVER – Here’s a behind the scenes look at media operations on site at the Pepsi Center.

This is a view of the restaurant from which Fox News is broadcasting during the DNC.

This is the entrance to"Talk Show Row", an entire area within the convention hall dedicated solely to talk show radio broadcasts.

It's almost impossible to take as many as three steps on the floor of the convention without running into an interview in progress.

News media agencies from around the world are covering the convention, including the BBC.

Convention participants can upload their own personal messages to YouTube at this interactive station.

Here is a view inside one of several rooms located on "Talk Show Row."

Talk radio shows will be broadcasting live from within the Pepsi Center throughout the convention.

Here is a view of some of the many press boxes located in the convention hall.

This is a view of the NBC News skybox located inside the convention hall.

This is just one of the many sections of "Radio Row", which extends around the entire second level of the convention hall.

CNN has transformed this local restaurant into the "CNN Grill".

Charles Gibson discusses upcoming interviews with a fellow staff member.

Here is a view of the press boxes for ABC, Al Jazeera, and C-SPAN networks.

Clinton In The House

By Malika Raghavan / Washington Bureau Producer

DENVER – She may not have V.P. status but she was V.I.P. backstage this morning.  Senator Hillary Clinton was at the Pepsi Center for a behind the scenes walk-through of the stage she’s scheduled to speak on this evening.  As she left the arena, she shook hands with media representatives and thanked them.

We also passed by the Reverend Al Sharpton, who was doing interviews on “Talk Show Row.”

Hillary’s Big Night

By Shaun Neville / Washington Bureau Producer

DENVER – This is the night Hillary Clinton and her supporters have been waiting for.  Well… they’ve probably been waiting for her to give the Thursday night acceptance speech.  But this will have to do.

There’s been a LOT of talk about unity through the first couple days here.  Michelle Obama made sure to mention Clinton’s accomplishments last night, getting a loud ovation from the crowd. 

But our crew saw a bunch of Clinton supporters downtown today who are still 100% behind their candidate, and want a roll call.  It’s a clear sign that while the candidates are playing nice, their bases of support may still be holding a grudge.

An Emotional First Night

By Shaun Neville / Washington Bureau Producer

DENVER – Just some quick thoughts on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention…

- If you like politics, there’s no better show than being inside the convention hall.  Sure, it’s all scripted.  And the drama of floor fights aren’t coming back (if it didn’t happen this year, it’s never going to happen).  But the show is spectacular.  The crowd is fired up and the staging and lighting make you feel like you’re at a major rock concert.  It’s my first time covering a convention, and I’m excited to have the next two weeks ahead of me.

- It’s tough to tell who got the bigger applause of the night:  Ted Kennedy or Michelle Obama.  But the overall Kennedy segment has to go down as the emotional highlight of the night.  Caroline gave a heart-felt introduction and the video chronicling his years in the Senate was perfectly put together.  While there were rumors all day that he would show up, we didn’t know for sure until he took the stage.  That made the moment all the more memorable. 

- While networks were covering the convention, a local affiliate was breaking a story a possible plot against Obama.  Right now, it looks like there was no grand scheme, and it could turn out to be nothing more than a vague threat.  But hearing about white supremacist tattoos and weapons with scopes is a scary storyline, especially on the first night of the convention.  We’ll likely be hearing a lot more about this on Tuesday, as law enforcement releases details.

“Dem”-orabilia

By Malika Raghavan/Washington Bureau Producer

Donkeys for sale!

DENVER – The donkeys are taking over the city…And they’re inviting everyone to join in and be part of the excitement.  All you have to do is sport some good ol’ democratic gear.

There’s no dearth of democratic memorabilia available throughout the city.  Just take a five minute walk through downtown Denver and you’re bound to bump into people crowded around stands selling everything Obama.

One of many stands where you can purchase offical gear from the DNC

Some people have even traveled here from other parts of the country, hoping to make money off of colorful buttons, sloganed t-shirts and official posters.  Vanessa Town flew in all the way from Tampa, Florida and said the money she makes from selling souvenirs at various events actually helps put her kids through college! Who knew!?

According to her, one item in particular is the most popular…

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But when it comes to options, you’ve got a lot more than just buttons.  Want to support the Democratic party every morning?  How about a fresh cup of ’The Presidential Roast’ – DNC sponsored coffee grounds. 

And it comes in 2 sizes - A small pouch and a larger bag.

Free samples could convince you to pick up a bag.

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And if you’re a little younger…Or just young at heart…You could always get a handmade Barack Obama action figure. 

Handmade Barack Obama action figures for sale

People all over this city are showing their support for Barack Obama and the Democratic party.  But my absolute favorite is below…

Woof woof apparently means Obama 08!

Even the pooches in this town have gotten their paws on some ‘dem’-orabilia!

Just An Average Joe…

By Cathaerine Ferguson/Washington Bureau Intern

DENVER – Senator Joe Biden drew attention today when he made a surprise stop to purchase lunch from a street vendor on the corner of 16th and Lawrence St.  He made his rounds through the crowd shaking hands and taking pictures before he entered the kitchen side of the tiny food booth, where he asked workers about their wages.  As he walked away from Boney’s Smokehouse BBQ with his pulled pork sandwich, the crowd buzzed with admiration for the Vice Presidential candidate, who tried to show folks he’s just an average Joe.

First Day On The Floor

By Nikole Killion/Washington Bureau Correspondent

Overlooking the DNC stage inside of the Pepsi Center.

DENVER– “It’s 3 a.m. … something is happening in the world…who do you want answering the phone?”

So I stole a line from the old Hillary Clinton ad because our our red phone moment is in Skybox 10 inside of the Pepsi Center. This is our first morning on the job as we preview the opening day of the Democratic National Convention.

“We’re booked solid,” my producer, Joe says, with his ear glued to the receiver.

We begin the day with back-to-back hits on the East Coast. The big question of the day — whether or not Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy will show. A video tribute is already planned for Kennedy, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last spring. But within a few hours, we got official word that he will make an appearance.

“He’s humbled by the outpouring of support and wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world,” Kennedy spokesman Anthony Coley told me.

20 live shots and counting…

As we continue our reports for our Central and West Coast stations, another big question emerges: What about Barack and Hillary?

The Obama campaign held a conference call with a stern response, following a report in The Politico that tensions had reached a boiling point between both camps.  Obama campaign officials dismissed the claims and insisted they have a high level of cooperation from the Clintons. Even the candidate himself reiterated that point on the campaign trail today in Iowa, telling the Associated Press that they “couldn’t have been more clear” in their support for his candidacy.

40 live shots and counting…

…and that’s a wrap! It’s 8 a.m. …something is happening in the world… but we’re not picking up the phone…because it’s time for breakfast!

My breakfast fuel during the wee early morning hours: Red Bull and granola bars.

Power To The People!

By Malika Raghavan/Washington Bureau Associate Producer

DENVER – Everyone knows this week, Denver is all about Barack Obama and the Democratic National Convention.

But that’s not the only thing going on in the Mile High City. Hundreds, if not thousands, have traveled from around the country to gather here for week-long protests, which kicked off Sunday.

I’d never been to a protest before so I have to say, I was bit overwhelmed by the sharp rhetoric and extremely passionate crowd. Sponsored by a group known as Recreate 68, the protest featured speakers like Cindy Sheehan and Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party presidential candidate…And after several emphatic speeches and some musical entertainment, they marched down to the Pepsi Center. With several hundred people marching and shouting, it was quite a scene.

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Miniature blow-up doll of President Bush...Pinocchio style!

But while our reporter Laurie Kinney weaved her way through protesters, gathering elements for her story, I was struck by some of the more random scenes of the protest.

For instance, directly across the street from the protest the DNC was sponsoring a Convention Marketplace to showcase some Denver products….

Pots and pans anyone?

…and that includes kitchen-ware.

Here’s what Gareth Heyman, one of the event’s main coordinators, had to say about the product fair:

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I have to say the lightest moment of the day was while I was walking around with Eric Naz, another one of our producers and he pointed out the ironic scene below.

Law enforcement takes in a peaceful site, while protesters march nearby.

It may be hard to tell but that’s actually a group of people doing yoga…But did you notice the black blob in the back right corner? Those were police officers…taking in the comforting scene just a short walk from the protests.

Before I sign off, I have to say one last thing about this protest: the age range. There were plenty of adults and late teens. But it got a lot younger than that. The proof is below…

Young girl at anti-war protest

Young boy at counter-protest.

The second picture is of a boy who was participating in the counter-protest. He told me his dad is in Iraq fighting for our country.

I guess “power to the people” starts early…

It’s Obama Time!

By Nikole Killion/Washington Bureau Correspondent

DENVER — As soon as my plane touched down at Denver International Airport, the man sitting in front me yelled out, “It’s Obama time!”.

That drew a smile from the dozens of delegates who happened to be on the plane with me as I made the trek from Washington to Denver.

Texas delegate Molly Beth Malcolm showed me a different exclamation of support.  She pointed down to her freshly painted red and blue-glittered toenails.  On the right foot — Barack Obama’s campaign logo. On the left — ‘08.

The Obama Pedicure.

“About six weeks ago, I gave the manicurist an Obama campaign button and asked if she could do it,”  she said, sporting a matching Obama t-shirt.

Others stuck to more traditional paraphernalia. Janet Ryder, a member of the Pennsylvania delegation, flashed her “Philly for Obama” pin.  She said she is pleased with the Obama-Biden ticket and hoped it would help make inroads among voters, especially those outside of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Obama Delegate Janet Ryder.

But my seatmate, Margaret, said Colorado is the battleground state to watch. The Fort Collins resident recalled when she moved to the state about 20 years ago when it was mostly a Republican stronghold. As a Democrat, she said she’s glad to see the convention in town, though she plans to avoid the action.

“I’ll just watch you guys on TV,” she smirked. But then she warned: “The West is crucial.”

Welcome to Denver!

A sign greets convention delegates at Denver International Airport.

Ready For Showtime

By Shaun Neville/Washington Bureau Producer

DENVER – After weeks of secrecy, the Democratic National Committee unveiled their stage at the Pepsi Center this weekend.  You’ve probably already seen some video; it’s an impressive site.  Check out just a few of the scenes from around the arena, as they’re getting things prepared for Monday night’s kickoff: