I just got off of a conference call set up by Democratic National Convention Committee office of Online Communications set up to discuss the logistics of granting bloggers media credentials for the convention. Since last December, bloggers have been encouraged to submit an application for the credentials, with the goal being to have one blogger per state at the convention, as well as additional credentialed bloggers who write for niche audiences or about national politics. The state level bloggers do get one perk: their credentials allow them to be seated on the convention floor with their respective state delegations. Compared to the 2004 convention, this is a considerable leap forward for new media and demonstrates how much an integrated part of Democratic politics the so-called netroots have become.
In addition to the DNCC-sponsored access, DailyKos is also working to set up what they are tentatively dubbing a "big tent" for new media that exists outside of the physical confines of the convention center in Downtown Denver (formal announcement coming in May). Even those who won't be in Denver for the convention will still be able to "report" on the goings ons via a live, gavel-to-gavel videostream (think CSPAN). All of this points to a media saturated event that reaches beyond network and television news coverage to accommodate political junkies and others who are passionate about Democratic politics. At this point, nothing on this level exists on the GOP side, which really speaks to where the balance of power will lie in each party in the future.
--Mori Dinauer
