Are you going to the Democratic convention in Denver or the Republican convention in St. Paul?
This year’s nominating conventions are poised to be some of the most exciting and newsworthy in decades. And because of new technology and online distribution, entire elections can now hinge on moments captured not by traditional journalists, but by ordinary citizens and those closest to the action.
Reuters is looking for participants in a new mobile journalism project that will capture this year’s conventions from the ground up. We will be equipping attendees with video cameras, and helping them to shoot footage from their own perspective and upload it to Reuters.com and other sites.
We hope to capture an unseen side of the conventions, from those most involved — delegates, donors, convention volunteers and others. Unfortunately we can’t provide passes into the conventions. But if you already have plans to attend, or know someone who does, email reutersmojo@gmail.com for more details.
Even if you’re not going to Denver or St. Paul, what kind of coverage would you like to see? What questions would you like on-the-scene reporters to ask? Leave your suggestions in the comments section.

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I’ll definately be at the Dem Convention. Can’t avoid it with my rickshaws rolling around the city during the event. I’d love to offer a unique perspective from the seat of a pedal cab. Count me in!
- Posted by tezindenverAdam,
Item first: Kudos to Reuters for taking steps to plumb the process of a ship in desperate seas. The press is the fourth and ultimately most important power in a democracy. Only a government of informed citizens can address the issues of the day with the vitality of conviction. To hand this power back to individuals is not only timely because of the advances of technology, but revolutionary.
As a nation, we have migrated from the indie-owned opinion publications that flourished in our infancy, to the propaganda machinations masquerading as news, owned by large corporations. These mis-information media-roids are operated for one purpose…the bottom line…to sell you something. This change has been to the detriment of our nations literacy, as made obvious by a large percentage of the responses above and the predilection of a populace ready to elect leaders based on “high-school-aesthetics” over substance. So thank you again for the chance to educate each other. I hope this proves to be a glorious moment in journalism for you, as well as the people of this country!
Item second: Questions I would like to submit to the candidates and platform developers of the two parties:
1. What can you do get rid of the corruption of our process by large/wealthy corporations?
2. What will you do get rid of the corruption of our process by large/wealthy corporations?
3. Will you put that in a binding legal contract?
4. If not, when do you intend to - a. surrender to authorities and/or b. remove yourself from the process? Because to paraphrase the current mouthpiece, “You’re either against it, or you’re for it.”
- Posted by swafo[...] the conventions this year? Reuters is looking for a few good bloggers to participate in their mobile blogging project at the Dem/Repub conventions in an attempt to “capture an unseen side of the conventions, [...]
- Posted by Reuters utilizes mobloggers :: Cyber AnthropologyTo the above, britteny Tang,
It is clear that you have the completely wrong idea about socialism. “That it only benefits the poor” or you don’t want them deciding how much money they get from you.
Take a look at the way socialism works in France. All people benefit, not just the poor. I forgot, could you remind me what is wrong with helping those in need? That is the exact problem in the united states, we only look out for ourselves. The me first, I, mine, nation, who cares about others. The united states probably wins the award for most selfish nation on the planet. And believe me, we have it good, really good. The fact that you can buy clothes and food at all is a blessing. Our priorities are far out of balance, and one day soon there will be no choices, it will be far too late.
I suppose you only support socialism when it is for the good of large corporations and billions of dollars are involved, read below:
“The regulators should investigate themselves for bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the creditors of Bear Stearns and the financial system with new lending facilities. They have swapped U.S. Treasury bonds for toxic securities,” he told Barron’s. “It is privatizing the gains and profits, and socializing the losses as usual. This is socialism for Wall Street and the rich.”
- Posted by ChristineAgain, sorry for being off topic, but i’m torn. i grew up in a Democratic household, who thought welfare was great, but i think of myself as being conservative while holding the need for being humane and having a degree of empathy, there needs to be a balance.
However the current GOP isn’t producing those ideals or the process is definitely slow. There’s more arrogance and self-concerted motives than there is boldness. Sure, they sound off promises just like every party but there’s little product. The current Democratic party has gotten way way more left… i’ve only been alive for 24 years and even i recall the difference.
Obama, shows himself to be more of a socialist. We all know countries that are (at least i hope we do). And ppl i don’t want 60% of my pay checks going to Uncle Sam, no matter how much of i may love him, i need to have the ability to feed and clothe myself before i’m capable of mustering up enough energy to help my neighbors. And why shouldn’t it go both ways? Just because someone’s poor doesn’t mean they should have the right to pick how much they want from me. I should have the choice in how much i contribute to their needs not the other way around.
Sadly and by default i’ll be faithful to the GOP. i rather have a president who’s interested in the USA more than his global appearance or trying to be the next limited-Jesus addition. fyi, if you don’t know this by now you ought to, no one’s been able to meet the promises Obama’s been sounding, what makes you so sure that with him elected we’ll have a more prosperous and happy nation?
oh and btw… i’m more interested in seeing the response of the attendees. There might be moments during each candidate’s speech that might be appealing, but since i’m a bit pessimistic towards our national progress, i think those speeches will only cause me to be more cynical and aggravated. Thank you for a chance to respond.
- Posted by britteny TangCan’t wait to see all the fringe Lefty loons on the streets of this beautiful city. I will be out with my video camera capturing the idiots in all there assininity. The loon is the state bird but we may want to CHANGE that once these Leftists protest all their irrelevant causes. We will carry a few of our own signs that will be over the heads of the uneducated:
“It takes a Communist village to raze a country”.
- Posted by Jerry J St. Paul, MN“When Obama is Prez, there will be no CHANGE for a dollar.”
“Lets give Communism its 1000th chance”.
“Obama lied, Hillary cried”
“Bring the troops home from Germany”
“Be humane, unhang Hussein”
“Two Americas!…double our welfare payment.”
I have made arrangements to be out of state during the republican convention. Non-violent civil protest is not only a right but essential to democracy however: destructive violence and shouting abusive language is criminal. Most importantly nothing the protestors do or say will change the minds of any of the delegates or candidates. This is not 1968, and the only likely outcome is seroiously messed up traffic on 35E and in Saint Paul. People want free speech? why not blog it? start a flash momement. Even better got something to say say it on You Tube. Nothing to see here move along
- Posted by Dawn ChawananoI won’t be going to any conventions at all, as they are known by all to be staged, to me, it’s really not worth the 8 hour drive to Denver.
I live in a small town where it’s genetically bred into the populations DNA to be a staunch Republician. There are one or two quiet rebels around with Obama bumper stickers.
If I was allowed to vote I would choose Mr Obama, but not being a citizen the choice is out of my hands.
I’m English, we all moved here six year ago.
- Posted by Samantha AllumI have read that video cameras and even photos taken by phones will not be allowed at either of the conventions, and that security will be super-tight at both of them. I live in Minnesota, and I will not be going to the Republican convention because I’m not a Republican. Forget the convention, the action will be in the streets! I’m going to go there and document what I can — how protestors are treated and the protests themselves. I’m very concerned that the police will be joined by private security firms like Blackwater. I’m very concerned that police will be armed with tasers and tear gas and will be using them. I hope to photograph as much as I can of what happens. I’ll be there for two days and will be attending the anti-war rally at the capital, the March on the RNC, and the concert, and probably the march on Day 2. There will be protest marches all four days. The first day’s protest march will be the largest! We are concerned about being penned in “Free Speech Zones”. I invite everyone to come to St. Paul Minnesota and join us in protesting. We need as many people there as possible!
- Posted by Shelly ThomasMindless babbling from the obama crowd. If his name was “Bob” nobody would care about him. Why do flaming liberals addicted to the odd, obscure and insane?
When all the illegals in states like Wisconsin and Florida vote for Obama for the never-ending handouts, and the payoffs from the elite for his REELECTION campaign happen (any small business will die under the insane costs of national health care, let alone the new taxes he will punish us with…ending competition from The Little Guy, a repeat of the market crash of 1929 where the biggies bought up everything)
Stupid people that love Obama for no reason other than he isnt Bush will soon be worse off than ever, but TOLD they have it good. If anything goes wrong, obama will blame it all on Bush, just like Clinton blamed everything on REAGAN of all people.
- Posted by NobamaI will be there on two separate days but not in the convention proper but if outside journalism is any help to you, I can do it.
- Posted by erica calkinsIt’s all staged like the WWF wrestling matches.
- Posted by LynnEveryone gets their script. People are just really sick of all of this. Obama will just finish what Bush sr, Clinton, Bush jr and his minions started. Until we all end up in concentration FEMA Camps being Gassed! We’ll just get a kiss instead of a kick before we go. They all work for the Rothschilds.
We have had free energy since Telsa, but they want to tax us for breathing. They are parasites on humanity.
When is it all genocide, wars, starvation, nuclear pollution, Drilling for oil, GMO crops, poisoning, vaccines, splicing of animals just going to stop?
Lord hear my prayer!
I’d love to go to the Democratic convention. I always watch the conventions on TV, and the Democrats always have the more interesting of the two. I’ll watch both this year, as usual, but it would be great to see the Democratic convention in person.
However, I live 2,000 miles away from Denver, and it’s probably too late to score tickets. No matter. I can do my part to make sure Obama gets elected this year. I was petrified of the last two times Bush took the presidency, and I was right to be. Continuing Bush-style rule under McCain is as scary as it gets. When a candidate talks about using martial law in America’s cities, I get scared. We all should be scared of McCain. Do you want soldiers marching down your street? The man is insane.
- Posted by Larry McAwfulI won’t even tune in. let alone go.A lot of wasted time and money.
- Posted by DorisEvery person in America ought to fear an Obama presidency.
It certainly scares me, and gives me the chills just thinking of it.
- Posted by BobHello Adam.
I am interested in the new mobile journalism project.
My web creator and I have maintained a grassroots Obama website since October 22, 2006.
http://www.Victory2008.net
featuring Barack Daily Buzz, Obama on Tour and Obama TV.
Also post my Buzzes on MyBarackObama.com, Obama Rapid Response, Barack’s Inspired Phone Army, etc.
I will be attending the Denver convention and hope to
participate in your project.
Michael Collins
- Posted by Michael CollinsHe would never pick Hillary, and she is too smart to take it. He ain’t gonna get there. She is free for the next go-round. The Senate is where it is going to be for four years—Hillary vs Obama, a continuing primary for the next four years in the Senate.
- Posted by maudgonneSorry to join the others in being off-topic, but that last comment is a pretty ridiculous and childish attempted argument against an Obama presidency. The man was editor of the Harvard Law Review, reached a point at which his life became dedicated to public service, and yet your main strategies are to make fun of his name and make the ridiculous claim that he’s more elitist than John McCain (who owns SEVEN homes, wears $520 shoes and is married to the heiress to the Anheuser-Busch fortune, a.k.a. Malibu Cindy).
You call him a “constantly-morphing, fact-dodging ‘Changeling,’” yet it’s John McCain who’s shamelessly flip-flopped on issues MORE THAN 70 times:
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/fli pflops
As far as the “fact-dodging,” how about the outright lying about Obama that McCain has begun to do after previously pledging to lead an honorable campaign?
He accused Obama of canceling a visit to American troops at a German military hospital because the media was not allowed. That was actually a lie. And, says the New York Times, the McCain campaign had “ignored Obama’s unheralded visit to a combat hospital in Baghdad.”
The Times says “Mr. Obama has distorted Mr. McCain’s record at times, but Mr. McCain’s false charges have been more frequent: that Mr. Obama opposes ‘innovation’ on energy policy; that he voted 94 times for ‘higher taxes’; and that Mr. Obama is personally responsible for rising gasoline prices.”
I don’t think your arguments are going to work against sane people who are looking for the leadership and the respect for the rule of law that America so desperately requires.
Also, you or whoever wrote that comment above simply sounds crazy. That won’t help your cause, either.
- Posted by MikeLouisiana Broker wrote:
THE AUDACITY of an inexperienced, presidential wannabe …
Well “Barry” is winding down his sensational photo-op throughout the Middle East and Europe. He’ll soon be heading home in his freshly, repainted plane (where the American flag was purposely removed) and all of that great film footage…garnered by “the press” for him…will be carefully selected and edited for future, campaign ads.
This Chicago “Tom Slick” really missed his calling in life. He should have headed to Hollywood from the mean streets of Chicago and embarked on a movie career … brilliantly “playing” a presidential roll on the screen (pre-scripted).
It takes an empty vessel to be a great actor … one that can crawl into any roll and play it out convincingly. It’s the stuff OSCARS are made of.
When I saw how “Barry” pulled off that “I Am A Citizen Of The World” speech in Germany … I saw an OSCAR winning performance in Hollywood. And…I could see “Barry” snapping his gum, nervously … in the limo … on the way back to his hotel room that night … getting playful slaps on the back from his HANDLERS … telling him “you did a great job kid … we bowled um over out there today.”
Yes, I even heard rumors that his advance men made sure there was a rock concert nearby that day, with plenty of free food and beer…where attendees could easily be herded over to his site…when the cameras were ready for the big MONEY SHOT…just like they did in Oregon a while back. I think they call it “backdrop expense and management.”
It will be interesting to see now…how this HUGE EXTRAVIGANZA plays out…back home…with the ignorant, gun-toting, Bible-thumping people in the heartland of America.
Are they really too stupid to “get it” or will they peg this constantly-morphing, fact-dodging “Changeling” for what he really is: An ACTOR from Chicago who has been CHOSEN to play the roll of PRESIDENT — not only of the U.S. — but of THE WORLD !!!
http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx ?rsrcID=2036
- Posted by EAST COASTWe can’t afford to go to the convention, but we made a music video to support Barack.
Please check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pid-DxRSs 84
Thanks!
Go OBAMA!
- Posted by Tony Oppenheim