This is the third dispatch from Denver where Dyana Z. Fumansky is sharing her experience in trying to get a seat to hear Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field. In this post, she relates the volunteer requirements for the seats...and getting the news....
Getting the News
By Dyana Z. Furmansky
Special to the Lynn Sweet blog
DENVER--"So are you trying to get a seat at Invesco?" asked the man who came to the door of his deluxe duplex in Precinct 616, Turf One, a toney neighborhood better known as Cherry Creek North.
A volunteer for Obama's Campaign for Change stood before him, ready to canvass.
Hundreds of volunteers hit Denver's streets this week in a last-ditch effort to qualify for one of the 30,000 tickets being held for Coloradans who want to attend the presumptive presidential nominee's acceptance speech at the Bronco's stadium August 28. They have until Friday August 15 to complete their six hour minimum commitment.
This is the third dispatch from Denver where Dyana Z. Fumansky is sharing her experience in trying to get a seat to hear Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field.
Getting the News
By Dyana Z. Furmansky
Special to the Lynn Sweet blog
DENVER--"So are you trying to get a seat at Invesco?" asked the man who came to the door of his deluxe duplex in Precinct 616, Turf One, a toney neighborhood better known as Cherry Creek North.
A volunteer for Obama's Campaign for Change stood before him, ready to canvass.
Hundreds of volunteers hit Denver's streets this week in a last-ditch effort to qualify for one of the 30,000 tickets being held for Coloradans who want to attend the presumptive presidential nominee's acceptance speech at the Bronco's stadium August 28. They have until Friday August 15 to complete their six hour minimum commitment.
Regina Jackson, an Obama supporter of long standing, has volunteered way more hours than that, but she continues to sign up friends to serve in various ways so that they'll have a chance to go to the speech with her.
"We're all so jazzed about his being here," she said at the fund-raising party she was attending for Colorado Democratic Governor Bill Ritter. I mentioned to her that I had offered to volunteer when I registered for an acceptance speech ticket but nobody had called me. Regina quickly got up and asked the valet to go to her car and bring the folders on the front seat. She happened to have a few canvassing packets with her, and presto, I was drafted as a new precinct walker. I had to act fast, and went out at nine the next morning.
The Door Knocking Script the Obama campaign provided starts conversations that go something like this:
"Hi, I'm walking in the community speaking with your neighbors about why I believe Barack Obama should be our next President, and while I know it's still a few months away, I was wondering if you plan on supporting Senator Barack Obama or John McCain in the election this November 4?"
But in Precinct 616 Turf One I had only seven chances out of 51 to recite the script since most people weren't home to hear it. It probably doesn't matter. My hunch is that the Obama campaign wants to encourage the habit of community service in any form and not just give as many people as possible the chance to personally witness the first acceptance speech ever given by a black presidential nominee.
Today I completed three hours of canvassing. When I got home I checked my email.
There was bad news: "Due to the high demand for community credentials you have been placed on a wait list," the message from the Obama campaign read. I will still do another three hours of canvassing tomorrow. Even if a person doesn't get admitted to the acceptance speech she shouldn't regret the time spent knocking on doors. That wouldn't be in keeping with the spirit for Change now, would it?
Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
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Dyana, just use your ingenuity. Tell them you are a Colorado citizen. Then perhaps you'll get one of those last 30,000 seats. If that don't work, tell them you are a super-delegate. Think about it, that'll work. Why even Kwame Kilpatrick was given super-delegate status. Hey, if all doesn't work, tell them you are 'homeless'. It won't get you into the convention, but I guarantee you'll have a good time. Because the DNC is giving all the 'homeless' free movie theatre, restaurant, and amusement park tickets, inorder to not be seen. You could have yourself a great vacation without spending any money.
My deepeth sympathy to the thousands who will be yelling at the Democratic National Convention. Also my deepeth sympathy to the citzens of the USA,if this man is elected as president.Our only prayer has always been God have mercy on the USA.If he is elected, that sentence will take on a new and profound meaning.Not only for those present at this shindig, but for the rest of us who will go down too.
Well, there's a fact-based preachment if ever I've heard one. I remember my Aunt Tilda saying the same thing about JFK.
Dyana, seriously, get press credentials.