DNCC ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS FOR BLOGGERS DURING 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Members of DemConvention State
Blogger Corps to Have Assigned Seats with Respective Delegations on
Floor of Convention Hall in Denver

DENVER
- Demonstrating a commitment to unprecedented access for bloggers at
the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National
Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that bloggers credentialed
as part of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will be seated with
their respective delegations in the Pepsi Center during the historic
four-day event. The move guarantees bloggers with a focus on state
politics a unique vantage point to provide localized coverage of the
Convention, to be held from August 25-28 in Denver.

"The
Internet is the most significant tool for building democracy since the
invention of the printing press," said Democratic National Committee
(DNC) Chairman Howard Dean. "New local, national and global communities
are being formed which demand two-way communication between people and
their leaders and the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will be on the
frontlines at the 2008 convention to help facilitate this critical
dialogue."

In November, the DNCC announced its blogger
credentialing process for 2008, including an expansion of the
credentialed blogger pool from prior cycles and the addition of a state
blogger credentialing program. Under the DemConvention State Blogger
Corps, which is designed for those covering state and local politics,
the DNCC is offering the opportunity for one blogger to be credentialed
from each of the states and territories. The program, recognizing the
growth of more localized blogs and in line with Governor Dean's
50-state strategy, has been open for applications since December.

"Time
and again, we talk about our commitment to bring down the walls of the
Pepsi Center and engage more people in the Convention experience using
new technology and other creative means," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of
the DNCC. "Granting unprecedented access to our state bloggers shows we
are serious about making this an inclusive, accessible event. When our
nominee for President of the United States takes the stage, members of
the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will witness this historic moment
from the best seats in the house - and in turn, be able to offer their
dedicated readers back home a first-hand account from the center of
that state's action."

To qualify as a state blogger, the
applicant's blog must have been in existence six months prior to
requesting credentials and have at least 120 politically related blog
posts. Bloggers must submit their daily audience and list their
authority based on Technorati statistics. Bloggers may also provide
examples of posts that make their blog stand out as an effective online
organizing tool and/or agent of change.

In addition to the
DemConvention State Blogger Corps, the DNCC will also credential a
general blogger pool, to include local, state and national political
bloggers, as well as niche and video bloggers from across the country.

Applications
for blogger credentials will be accepted until April 15, 2008.
Individuals selected for either the DemConvention State Blogger Corps
or the general blogger pool will be notified in May.

Exciting news for those of us who are hoping to be bloggers at the convention.

Bloggers interested in applying can find additional information at http://www.demconvention.com/blogger-credentialing-process/ .