Republicans Try to Steal Spotlight at Democratic Convention

They’re grossly outnumbered by a swarm of Democrats, but national Republicans have set up shop in Denver, hoping to thrust themselves into the media’s coverage of the Democratic convention. While the spotlight naturally is focused on Barack Obama, national Republicans have set up an effort to grab media coverage, or at least offer some balance to the Democrats’ show. The GOP effort includes a “war room” and media center less than a mile from the convention hall and making top Republicans such as Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney available for press conferences and satellite interviews to television stations across the country, especially in swing states. There’s a new GOP web site (http://www.notready08.com) with videos and ads, along with plans for rapid responses to attacks on GOP nominee-to-be John McCain and to speeches from the Democrats. A staff of two dozen has set up shop in temporary workspace up the road from the Pepsi Center and thousands of journalists. ... (link)