How can I attend the 2008 convention in Denver? Can I buy a ticket?

[Nimrod2005]

Can a regular person like me just attend? I would like to be part of the activities.

[demnan]

I think you need to be elected, actually

or you could join the Secret Service :)

[WCGreen]

1. Contact your local party to run as a delegate....

Or, contact the DNC and see if there are any lotteries or such to get tickets to watch...

You could also try and hook up with a legitimate news organization and go as a credentialed press corp member...

[SharonRB]

2. My new goal in life is to be a delegate

I have some contacts that might be able to help me, but selection works differently in every state.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Only delegates allowed in, and very good luck at trying

It is pretty easy to become a delegate in off-year state conventions. But in an election year, heading to the national convention.... lots and lots of competition because everyone wants in.

In Washington (at least in off-years), it works like this. The district caucus is available to any and all who are willing to sign a statement of membership at the door (Washington has non-partisan voter registration; in states with partisan registration you must be a registered party voter to attend the caucus.) You get elected as a district delegate to the county convention. At County, you get elected as a delegate to the State Convention. I think that the next step is to attend State and get elected as a delegate to National, but I've been to State during a presidential election year. I do know that there is the added consideration of being a delegate representing not just your district/county/state but also a specific candidate.

If you are not already a party activist, your chance of getting to the National Convention is pretty much non-existent. And then it typically takes several years of hard work and LOTS of face-time and flesh-pressing before you are likely to get enough votes to make it.

Added There is no reason you can not be in Denver as a non delegate, mind you. You will not be allowed into any of the convention spaces, however. Security is typically very tight and badges have the picture of the delegate, so you won't be able to borrow ID from someone else.

But, if you can find lodgings in the city, you can meet with delegates outside the convention space. Candidates... probably not, as security (again) is going to be very tight.

[Nimrod2005]

12. Thanks, this is helpful. I actually have a place to stay in Denver, but

It sounds like I will be getting some more "quality" use out of my new big screen HDTV.


I am still going to try.

[Benhurst]

4. There is usually a visitors' gallery. You'll need to get someone

with pull to get you in, though. And as a visitor you would not "be part of all the activities."

To be part of all the activities, you'll have to become a delegate.

[Nimrod2005]

13. I think I am will be calling Howard Dean's office. Ask him to put me to work

or put me in touch with someone locally...etc.

[Catchawave]

5. You can go as a convention blogger !

Here's the list from 2004:

http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/001461.php

[tridim]

6. I'm trying to get a job, so far no luck.

Guess I have to keep pestering the committee. I figure that's my best chance of getting in, otherwise I'll just go and hang out outside with my video camera.

[Nimrod2005]

14. Job where? You mean working for the party?

[cally]

7. You can volunteer at the convention

Most volunteers won't get into the hall but some will. I almost volunteered in Boston in 2004.

Otherwise, you have to be elected. In California, meetings are held and whoever is a registered Dem in that district can vote for you. I went to the Kerry one to support a friend and I think I could have been elected if I had some understanding of the process. California requires an equal number of men and women and the meeting I went to had few women candidates. I've heard similar stories from men who showed up and won election because in their district there happened to be few men candidates.

On Sunday in California, there are meetings throughout the state to elect delegates to the State Party convention. I hope many go and support progressive candidates.

[Traveling_Home]

8. I'm in Denver

and I remember this will be the 40th anniversary of the Democratic Convention in Chicago - I was 17 at the time - too much fun. Anybody read anything about Cindy Sheehan's plans given her 'protest' at the news conference last week (week before??)

[electprogdems]

9. Contact your local orgainzation

find out where they meet and start going. At the very least, you will meet alot of cool, liberal people.

[SCDem]

10. If you are under 30 you will have an advantage of getting in

I ran to be a delegate in 2004 - there was a star behind the name's of people under 30. Our state party wanted to have a diverse group. I actually got in - I helped hand out the sheets of paper that people were going to write who the wanted to be a delegate - and I said "Remember (my name) at the top of your ticket." I did a little speech and miraculously won. Just get involved locally and go from there, regardless.

[bluescribbler]

11. Become a delegate.

It isn't easy, but it can be done. You would need to attend a caucus for a qualifying candidate in your Congressional District, and get elected. It's easier if you bring a lot of friends who will vote for you. They will all have to be registered Democrats.

Another possibility would be to get friendly with someone who's highly placed in one of the campaigns who could get you in as a guest.

But, as far as I know, tickets to conventions are not for sale at any price.