Popandpolitics.com reports on the ground from Democratic National Convention

The student reporting team for Popandpolitics.com is on the ground in Denver, blogging about the pomp and circumstance of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Among the team’s recent posts:
  • Chris Nelson (M.A. Print Journalism, '09) reveals the key to mobilizing voters: a raucous hip-hop concert
  • Brooke-Sidney Gavins (M.A. Broadcast Journalism, '09) tracks down an un-disaffected Hillary Clinton supporter
  • Max Zimbert (M.A. Print Journalism, '09) exposes the lack of political leadership in addressing the pains of HIV/AIDS in America
  • Torey Van Oot (B.A. Print Journalism, '09) gets a read from former Fugee Wyclef Jean on Barack Obama’s Latino appeal

Chris Nelson shot some photos of the Wyclef Jean concert Aug. 26

In a post describing the experience of reporting on a major national political event, Nelson recounted a conversation with “P&P” founder Farai Chideya. “’It’s just as much show business as it is politics,” Chideya told Nelson. “Maybe more.”

“So far, Farai was dead-on,” Nelson wrote, describing a carnival-themed pre-convention media party. “Lots of pomp and a seemingly hollow circumstance. Substance will undoubtedly come, but apparently not without an accompanying dose of cotton candy.”

The Popandpolitics team is one of about 120 credentialed blogs covering the convention, reporting on floor speeches, side panels and other political activities in the Mile-High City.

The site’s coverage has been organized by interim managing editor Tricia Romano, who was a columnist and editor at the Village Voice for nine years.

"The DNC is a great opportunity for the journalists to flex their skills in a number of mediums," Romano said. "They are hitting the ground with cameras, video gear, and their sharply honed reporting instincts."

DNC coverage
Popandpolitics.com