60,000 Coloradans jam Obama ticket phone lines
By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Carrie Porter, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 7, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.
Updated August 7, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
Video: Coloradans show up at Barack Obama's campaign HQ in Denver instead of calling or checking the DNC Web site for tickets to his Aug. 28 speech. Watch »
Photo by Darin McGregor
Bridget Broomfield tries to peek in the window of the Barack Obama campaign office on Santa Fe Drive as she and more than a dozen other people wait outside to see about getting tickets to Obama's upcoming acceptance speech at Invesco Field. When the office opened at 11 a.m. Broomfield and the others were told that they had to apply for tickets online.
The hottest ticket in town was literally burning the ears of the phone operators Thursday.
That would be the ticket for Barack Obama's Aug. 28 nomination acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High — an event expected to draw 75,000 people on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
In about a 24-hour period, 60,000 Coloradans had submitted requests for tickets — forcing the Obama campaign to start a waiting list. The campaign and the Democratic National Convention Committee said more than half of the available seating would go to Colorado residents.
"We're pleased that so many people want to be part of this historic event," Obama spokesman Matt Chandler said. "We've said from the start this is going to be America's convention, and I think we've seen today that it's truly going to be Colorado's convention, too."
Using the Obama Web site and a toll-free number, the campaign launched the ticket giveaway Wednesday afternoon. From 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, about 20 volunteers sat in a windowless room at the Pipefitters Local Union 208 in Denver taking calls.
Then, beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, volunteers again began taking ticket requests. Internet requests could be filled out overnight.
Each phone call took about five minutes. Volunteers followed a strict script, asking questions to confirm transportation plans, accommodations for disabled visitors, and explaining the two types of tickets offered.
In exchange for six hours of campaign volunteer work, callers were told they could receive "preferred" tickets that would give them better seats.
Volunteers had identical blue cell phones charged at each of the 20 work stations. When a cell phone became too hot to use, volunteers would switch to one that was cooler on the ear.
Sherry Bebitch Jeffee, a senior scholar and political analyst at the University of Southern California, said she expected that the historic nature of the convention and the enthusiasm of Obama supporters would generate a huge demand for tickets.
She also said there would likely be little downside from those who felt shut out of a chance to get a ticket.
"People at this point in time are used to being locked out of concerts and sporting events," she said. "It happens. I really don't see people rising up in anger over not getting a ticket to the speech."
The response for tickets — or community credentials as the DNCC calls them — didn't come without hiccups, however.
Early Thursday morning, about a dozen people showed up at the Obama campaign office on Santa Fe Boulevard in an attempt to get tickets.
Frankie Briggs-Hopson, of Denver, said she stopped by the campaign office because she was interested in volunteer opportunities. The 56-year-old said she sent in a volunteer application almost two weeks ago and hadn't received a response.
Instead of calling or going online, she simply signed an application for tickets while talking with Obama staffers.
"I work in the area, and I thought I would just come down here on my lunch break," she said.
There were also multiple reports of people trying, without success, to get through on the toll-free phone line — including Javier Johnson.
The 27-year-old journalism student at Metro State said he started calling shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday. He estimated he dialed the number "at least 50 times," first getting a busy signal, then endless ringing.
"I'm getting kind of antsy," Johnson said.
If he has to, the Denver resident said, he'll buy scalped tickets despite warnings from the DNCC and Obama campaign that those tickets may be deactivated and access denied.
"Who wouldn't?" he said. "I'm a black man, it's a black president. This is a great opportunity ... and I'm trying to make it."
Despite the troubles some had getting through on the phone, Chandler said the campaign tested the phone system and that it was working properly. He urged people to be patient and persistent.
Campaign officials said they didn't know when they would cut off the waiting list, though DNCC officials said they would keep the list open until Tuesday.
"We are telling folks who sign up now that chances are very low that we can accommodate them, but we are keeping them on the list," DNCC spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth said.
By Thursday evening, it was unclear if the ticket allotment for the rest of the country had been reached. Those who filled out forms or got through on the phone will be notified Aug. 15 if they were successful in getting the credentials.
Officials didn't release any details about how soon people would need to get to Invesco and what kinds of items, such as coolers and drinks, would be banned or allowed into the stadium.
Staff writers Sara Burnett and Tracee Herbaugh contributed to this report.
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August 7, 2008
12:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
sue27 writes:
Gee, kinda reminds me of the Rockies tickets last year. Online only sales worked so well then, let's do it again!
August 7, 2008
12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
steel writes:
"On Wednesday, officials announced the bulk of tickets — more than half — would go to Colorado residents and two-thirds of the tickets would go to those living in the Mountain West region."
Hmmm... 1/2 + 2/3 = 1-5/32 Plus the delegates. Democratic math. No wonder Hillary wants a recount.
August 7, 2008
12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
SaraSmile writes:
Democratic math, Republican geography? Colorado is part of the Rocky Mountain West region, so that 1/2 is included in the 2/3.
August 7, 2008
12:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
benn writes:
Isn't the 1/2 included in the 2/3 there steel?
Therefore that leaves 1/3 of the tix to go to delegates and out-of-staters?
Math seems fine to me - could have been worded better.
August 7, 2008
12:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
P_Denver writes:
Johnson: ".... it's a black president...."
Probably correct, but still a little premature.
August 7, 2008
12:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
No rock concert and everyone is lining up to see Obama? What about the right wing theory that it is all for the music act?
August 7, 2008
12:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Conspiracy! Must be Bush's fault!
August 7, 2008
1:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
Glad i already put my name in for three. They will be on Ebay less than one minute after they hit my hands.
August 7, 2008
1:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
O_TRAIN writes:
steel - my public school math teacher said; 1/2 + 2/3 = 1 1/6
August 7, 2008
1:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
GK writes:
Froward69
That was excellent.
August 7, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mayor_Quimby writes:
Froward69: People who go to Obama rallies are hippies and druggies without jobs. The people voting for McCain keep this country running and pay taxes so those hippies dont have to do anything and can still retire at 65 on Social Security.
Go McCain!! Obama is all hype!! No one wants Carters second term!!
August 7, 2008
1:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
bph writes:
Obamapallooza
August 7, 2008
2:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
cln2day writes:
Johnson said :
"Who wouldn't?" he said. "I'm a black man, it's a black president. This is a great opportunity ... and I'm trying to make it."
Better said
"I am a black man, it,s a 1/2 black senator with 2 years experience running to become president.
mother white born in USA, father black from Kenya
so to be PC he is a American-African, as he was born in Hawaii
August 7, 2008
2:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
GK writes:
"People who go to Obama rallies are hippies and druggies without jobs. The people voting for McCain keep this country running and pay taxes so those hippies dont have to do anything and can still retire at 65 on Social Security."
Obvious jealousy.
August 7, 2008
2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
AmaranthArticia writes:
I filled out the online form with no problems. You're a fail if you tried to call cause god knows the lines would get jammed!
August 7, 2008
2:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
People who go to McCain rallies are gun toting, gay bashing, god preaching rednecks (don't believe me? See map in link below). The people voting for McCain keep China running and give tax breaks to the rich.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epol...
August 7, 2008
2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Keno33 writes:
yes come you liberal fools! come and listen to the anti-christ speak. He will promise you all you wish to hear and bring you only distruction.
August 7, 2008
2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
DemsAreDumb writes:
coloradovet writes:People who go to McCain rallies are gun toting, gay bashing, god preaching rednecks (don't believe me? See map in link below). The people voting for McCain keep China running and give tax breaks to the rich.
This is exactly why i vote republican!
August 7, 2008
2:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
coloradovet writes:
Between giving all our money to China, the Saudis and the top one percent, soon we will all be a bunch of god fearing, gun toting rednecks! Woooohooo, at least we can still go ATVing and bass fishin!
August 7, 2008
3:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
DenverDan writes:
GK
Yea, did you say drugs?
DemsAreCorrect
You dont know why you are voting Republican. You just know your not voting for Obama. Go ahead with your Bush3 self.
August 7, 2008
3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
DemsAreDumb writes:
You dont know why you are voting for Obama except to say "change". Carter wanted change too, look how well that turned out. But you vote for Carter's second term and see how well we turn out!!
August 7, 2008
3:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
steel writes:
O_TRAIN writes:"steel - my public school math teacher said; 1/2 + 2/3 = 1 1/6"
Do it decimally... 0.5 + 0.66 = 1.16 = 1-5/32
August 7, 2008
3:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrtaco writes:
help!!! mcstain has fallen and he can't get up!!!
August 7, 2008
3:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrtaco writes:
steel:
1) you failed to realize that the 1/2 and 2/3 can and will overlap.
2) 1 5/32 = 1.15625. 1 1/6 = 1.166666
you're a bit off, again.
August 7, 2008
4:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
jaymoveonorg writes:
froward69,
I can't believe you are even trying to defend Carter? I will give you that he might have been a good man but he was a lousy President. You just lost all credibility when you begin to defend Carter when even the history books even say he had a failed presidency.
August 7, 2008
4:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
KING writes:
OK,
First attempt and i got through no problem. Now how was the experience...it was lame....guy named James who took my "order" couldn’t hear very well and kept trying to get me to volunteer for the campaign to get "preferred seating". Since Obama interests me about as much as a tooth ache, I opted for the "general admission".
They require your name, address, how you are going to get to the actual event (i live within walking distance), phone number, and email. They can only offer one ticket per person and if you want another for a friend you better have their info at hand because they have no way of you adding it in later at another time.
Overall, I think my chance are about the same as Rockies tickets from last year, but hey, when i sell mine, the Libertarian party will have a nice donation.
August 7, 2008
4:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
jaymoveonorg writes:
KING,
Just so you know how it works. When you give up all that information you are put in a database to be used by the Obama Campaign to continue to sollicit you. It really is a great system they have set up and is one of the reasons why the Obama camp is raising so much money.
August 7, 2008
4:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
"He will promise you all you wish to hear and bring you only distruction."
maybe he'll bring you a dictionary as well.
so, is the new conservative attack method calling Obama a reincarnation of Carter?
what happened to attacking his middle name, the lack of an American flag on the tail of his plane or the fact that his grandmother is Muslim? I kinda liked those meaningless arguments over things that don't matter.... but hey, might as well throw another one on the fire.
August 7, 2008
4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
cln2day writes:
Froward69 writes:
Read up a bit will ya. please do not continue to "take pride in your ignorance."
Well a report can say all it wants but if you dont take into account the others plan then............sounds like McCain's plan wants to change the good old boy's
Taxes
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/...
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior economic adviser to McCain, noted that the report does not take into account the spending reforms - such as eliminating earmarks - that are central to McCain's strategy to support tax relief and help reduce the deficit.
One of the center's co-directors, William Gale, conceded in a conference call that "if McCain succeeds (in achieving his proposed spending cuts), the fiscal cost of his plan does go down."
But spending cuts can be politically difficult to achieve, said Len Burman, the Tax Policy Center's director.
Holtz-Eakin characterized McCain's plan as one geared toward "reshaping federal bureaucracies and protecting taxpayers' money. [His] plan is based on kicking down doors in Washington, and delivering tax dollars back to the American taxpayers who are struggling with record gas prices, soaring food costs and a down economy."
Energy
http://my.barackobama.com/page/conten...
windfall profits, guess who will pay, not the company, it would be the stock holders and every person that has a 401 k plan. Look at where your plan puts your money to grow
Electric cars, what do you do with the battery when it dies in 8 years. It cost almost for a new battery as it does for a new car.
Reduce imported oil and make up the difference with renewables?
Well if we aim for a goal for 25% renewable energy where is the other 75% going to come from?
http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan/
what if the winds die for a week, where does the energy come from to do life?
Health Care?
how bout if we dont tax the person that needs health care. Let them take the money and choose health insurance for themself
So yes I can read and find the FACTS just more words and speaches
August 7, 2008
4:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Big_D writes:
Carter would have done better if the GOP wasn't committing treason with Iran and undermining the elected government.
August 7, 2008
4:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
P_Denver writes:
cin2day
The first candidate that promises -- really PROMISES -- to eliminate earmarks and veto any bill with non-core-related amendments will get my vote.
I think that more money is wasted with these two tactics than is spent legitimately by the legislature. It's how most of the special-interest funding gets passed. It needs to be stopped -- by the executive branch, since the legistative branch can't control itself.
August 7, 2008
5:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
KING writes:
jay,
thanks for your concern, but i am not dumb enough to give a real email address and the phone number i gave, i did with the provision that i am not contacted except for tickets. If they violate that, I will hang them with the dems own "do not call list". I wouldnt mind suing them for all of Obama's money.
August 7, 2008
5:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Reason writes:
Um, but, but, you'll have to give me that mic back, of course I don't care about the problems of the African-American community, I'm already getting 9 out of 10 votes from that demographic, I need to pander to middle class whites hoping for change if I don't want to end up like John Kerry.
Obama '08
August 7, 2008
5:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
proudlyliberal writes:
Governor and King,
You are obviously both jerks who have nothing but contempt for your fellow citizens. I am sorry my fair country spawned such hateful people as yourselves. Fortunately, you're in the minority and the only exposure I'll ever have to you is online.
August 7, 2008
5:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
cln2day writes:
Froward69
Guess u made my point
I agree the health care needs reformed, we can lead a horse to water but if they dont drink we cant make them.. With all the programs out there that give help we still end up with issues. So if we give people more of there hard earn money back into their pocket and they chose not to use it for health care then IMO thats their choice, why make the majority of us who choose to do the right things pay for the ones who make bad choices.
yes iv seen the panels but your reference was to a plan put out by the "chosen one" and it states we need to have 25% renewable energy, my question still is where does the other 75% come from. If energy use goes down the percentages stay the same.
August 7, 2008
5:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
cln2day writes:
P Denver
Line item veto,,,, bring it back, until then three people control the earmarks
August 7, 2008
6:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
CP writes:
What puzzles me about liberals is that they are anti-military, anti-gun etc. yet their posts are so hate filled and rude. Why can't you just stick to the issues?
Like how in the world can Obama really believe car tire pressure and tune ups (which are rarely done anymore) would equal all the drilling in the US? And when Pelosi was asked why she wouldn't let congress vote on offshore drilling one of her replies was that the republicans can just use their imagination. Like that really addresses the energy crisis!
August 7, 2008
6:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
BlueCarp writes:
Reject the status quo.
BobBarr2008.com
McCain is a big government, anti-free speech member of the global-warming cult.
Obama sold out the Democrats by voting in favor of FISA and REAL ID and he is against gay marriage.
BobBarr2008.com
Or just accept the status quo.
August 7, 2008
9:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
P_Denver writes:
If the DEMS really wanted to control the tickets, and make sure they went to Denver residents ... why didn't they give them to the homeless? They certainly live in Denver (and they don't have addresses, so they can't acquire the tickets "legitimately"). They are all liberal. They will certainly show up (what else do they have to do?). It's a perfect solution.
I'll copy this email and send it to the REPS. I'm sure there are one or two homeless in Minnesota. They will need all the help they can get filling the seats in whatever high school gym they use for McCain's speech.
August 7, 2008
9:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
raoul writes:
they're handing out tickets if you have photo id. the Boy King and his mainstream media puppets are probably assigning seats based on race (skin color). wouldn't want too dark of a backdrop for the 5pm news, could scare whitey away from the booth in Nov.
August 7, 2008
11:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
denverone writes:
G-Damn anyone that votes for this lier!! No true American would be seen in the same room with this man. How many signs from God do you need??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng1aGi...
August 8, 2008
9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
"But you vote for Carter's second term and see how well we turn out!!"
we've debunked this far right wing myth so many times i can't believe some of the extremists are still trying to slip it by.
once again...obama's platform is nearly identical to clinton's...whereas mccain's is nearly identical to bush's.
therefore, if we look at the data from the track records of those policy stances...we can determine which set has been more successful and therefore is more likely to be successful in the future.
here's that data again for the far right cheap seats:
REAL GDP GROWTH1
4.09% Over Prior 8 Years
2.65% Over Prior 7 Years
NATIONAL DEBT
$5.7 Trillion
$9.2 Trillion
BUDGET DEFICIT/SURPLUS
$431 Billion Surplus over the Previous Three Budget Years
$734 Billion Deficit over the Previous Three Budget Years
JOBS CREATED
1.76 Million Jobs Per Year
369,000 Jobs Per Year
AMERICANS IN POVERTY
31.6 Million
36.5 Million
AMERICANS UNINSURED & CHANGE IN UNINSURED LEVEL
38 Million Uninsured
47 Million Uninsured
4.5 Million Less in 2 Years
8.5 Million More in 6 Years
ANNUAL TOTAL PREMIUM COST
$6,230 for Family Premium
$12,106 for Family Premium
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME & CHANGE IN MEDIAN INCOME
$49,163
$48,023
$6,000 Increase in 8 Years
$1,100 Decrease in 7 Years
PRICE OF GAS
$1.39/Gallon
$4.07/Gallon
COST OF COLLEGE
$3,164 per year
$5,192 per year
PERSONAL SAVINGS RATE
+2.3%
-0.5%
CONSUMER CREDIT DEBT
$7.65 Trillion
$12.8 Trillion
U.S. TRADE DEFICIT
$380 Billion
$759 Billion
STRENGTH OF U.S. DOLLAR
1.07 Euros per Dollar
0.68 Euros Per Dollar
COMBAT READINESS
All Active Duty Army Divisions Were Rated At The Highest Readiness Levels
Not A Single Active Duty Or Reserve Brigade In The U.S. Considered “Fully Combat Ready.”
FOREIGN OIL DEPENDENCY
52.75% of U.S. Liquid Fuel Consumption is Imported
60.38% of U.S. Liquid Fuel Consumption is Imported
cin...you apparently need to get some more education on this issue under your belt if you still think mccain is going to stick to his campaign promise of eliminating earmarks.
even he can't explain how he'll do it because some earmarks send funding to global allies and people in need....including israel.
thus...his economic plan has been found to produce TRILLIONS of additional debt and no realistic plan to cut spending.
rhetoric vs. reality.
as far as mcsame's energy policy...it is a 3.8 billion dollar corporate welfare program for big oil and more of the same bush policies....enough said.
and finally on healthcare....do you believe the united states incapable of adopting some of the best practices that allow some of our global peers to provide cheaper, better healthcare than in the US?
"So yes I can read and find the FACTS just more words and speaches"
it appears not.