Republican convention post mortems: Thanks for the WiFi ... but what's the deal with the security?

For reporters in 2008 ... access to WiFi is about as important as access to a pay phone was 20 years ago.  (For those in their 20s, there was a time in America when people who were away from home made phone calls from structures known as phone booths ... of, if they were lucky ... from things called pay phones in the lobbies of hotels or office buildings. Ask your parents ... I'm not making this up.)

Anyway, political reporters as well as scribes for whom politics is not their main beat, made their way to Branson over the weekend to cover the Republican State Convention. And, there were more than a few smiles when we learned that our work areas would not only include tables and chairs ... but WiFi Internet access, courtesy of the GOP. They get it!

One of the first things Missouri Republican Party Communications Director Tina Hervey told me after I arrived at the Chateau on the Lake for the convention was that our work areas would have access to the Internet. I was pleased, of course, as were other reporters for whom Internet access is kind of important in the grand scheme of things these days. I asked Tina how much this cost and she told me the party had worked out a deal with the hotel at a cost of about $2,500 to the Missouri GOP. Tina showed again that "she gets it" when she pointed out we need the Internet to do our jobs well ... just as we need electricity or audio mult-boxes for radio and TV.

Having covered more than a few political conventions and election night gatherings ... I can't remember a political party or campaign that worked out a detail like this ahead of time to make sure the media could get right down to business and not have to try to strike a deal with the hotel or convention center staff. Many times a hotel will sell the media 24 hours worth of Internet access for about 10 bucks ... and that's fine ... but there are far too many instances in which Internet access is not even an option. We're not asking for a freebie (our bosses pay for it, after all) ... but the campaign season will soon be in high gear ... and it would be wise for the political people who make these decisions to be sure the media covering a watch party on election night have access to the Internet.

On another topic regarding the Republican State Convention ... what was the deal with all the security? These people were looking at attendees' credentials ... even after Friday's night's speeches had concluded and folks were heading to the hospitality suites. Tina, who is relatively new on the job, thought it might be because two Governors were in attendance Friday night ... but I doubt that's the case since Governor Matt Blunt doesn't usually have a lot of security with him when he's touring the state ... and has even less security when he's at home in Springfield. As for the other Governor - Frank Keating of Oklahoma, who spoke at Friday's dinner - he's a former Governor. And, when it comes to former Governors ... I have run into our own Bob Holden frequently at the Schnucks grocery store in Jefferson City ... and he's like anybody else ... just picking up groceries.

I did hear a rumor that the added security had to do with fear there might be trouble at the convention from some of the attendees unhappy with the direction in which they believe the party is headed. Several Ron Paul supporters told me this ... adding they felt Republican leaders were concerned the Paul supporters might stir up trouble. Whatever the reason ... while there might have been some disagreements over policy decisions ... it was a peaceful weekend. And, at the conclusion of business on Saturday, McCain and Paul supporters were chatting with each other as they attended an end-of-convention reception.

They came together on Saturday ... but will they be united after the Republican National Convention in September and down the stretch to November? One delegate I spoke to answered that question rather directly: "We'd better hope so!"

- Steve Walsh 

Comments

[chere]

This was certainly long winded article NOT to find out the outcome..HOW MANY delegates were selected for each ?
***dont forget about the EMERGENCY BANK HOLIDAY bank run***
www thisjune5th com
or youtube emergency bank holiday.
I dont agree but not taking chances knowing the action this group has had in past donations to campaigns & boycotts
I'm off to find results !

[Branson Missouri]

Iowa was much better. Google provided free beer, wine, energy drinks, multiple news feeds and lounging chairs.

It's too bad that we couldn't stroll the floor. That would've been cooler.

Check out the Google Lounge at http://2008caucus.blogspot.com

[Steve Walsh]

Chere: regarding the delegate count, 53 of the "contested" delegates were not seated at the convention. I placed this information in the Missourinet news story on the convention. Thanks for reading the blog!