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Don't punish resales - it's not worth the headache

Rocky Mountain News

Published August 11, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Officials with the Democratic National Convention shouldn't be too zealous in their attempts to stop people who hold tickets to Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech from selling them.

For one thing, Denver officials say selling tickets for free events - including the Aug. 28 events at Invesco Field at Mile High - does not violate the city's anti-scalping ordinance. There's no state law against scalping, so transactions made outside Denver couldn't be prosecuted.

Beyond that, though, the DNC would make a huge PR blunder if it aggressively tries to prevent willing sellers from doing business with eager buyers.

Officials announced plans to invalidate the bar codes of any tickets posted on eBay or craigslist. That's possible, in part, because unlike with many events, each ticket to the convention finale will be linked to an individual. Indeed, the party will interview ticket seekers before issuing them "community credentials" for the speech. The idea, Obama deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand told The Denver Post, is to ensure that applicants show "a level of seriousness" about the nominee. He even suggested that before getting a ticket, you'll be encouraged to sign up as a campaign volunteer.

We understand why the DNC and the campaign want to limit access to the faithful. It's their party, after all. And it is possible to link a ticket to an individual in this manner. But it's a tricky business, even for concert promoters controlling a handful of backstage passes for major shows.

Expanding that cumbersome process to cover tens of thousands would be both a headache for security and a nightmare for attendees.

Imagine 76,000 people queuing up to what would amount to "will call" windows to enter the event. And then walking through metal detectors, undergoing pat-downs, or whatever other security measures the Secret Service will require before people are allowed to enter the stadium.

Clearly, the Secret Service should take extraordinary care to ensure the safety of Obama and those in attendance. If the crowd is subjected to too many other hassles that are not related to security, however, the audience might be more cranky than exuberant when the nominee takes the stage.

We'd be willing to bet that the vast majority of tickets obtained from "scalpers" would be snapped up by Obama supporters anyway. You'd think the campaign might embrace those folks, not harass them.

Comments

  • August 11, 2008

    6:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    VVVV writes:

    They just don't want the bad publicity of kicking protestors out. The dems are sending a strong message with many of their mandates that "you are either with us or against us." It happens here all the time. If you don't agree, you are in denial, evil, or somewhere in between, but you can't possibly be trusted. I fear what will happen with the recent dramatic erosion of personal liberties if they come to power and start their retribution.

  • August 11, 2008

    8:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shadow writes:

    The democrats are so afraid that there may be some dissent on their annointing of Obama to the nomine for President. Control freeks could be used as the term to describe what is going on.

    The idea of restricting protestors was bitterly objected to at their last convention yet this time celebrated.

    This election cycle has lastd way to long and the longer it goes the more truth is reveled about Obama. Something the dems are trying very hard to surpress. Look at the activities of their web supporters. The very questionable campaign contributors. A lack of answering questions.

    If people resell their tickets , some may interpret this as a lack of siupport for the annointed one. Thus the very restrictive policies and pleading on rticket possesion.

    Aslo they (dems/Obama) do not want any nonbelievers to get in and have an oppertunity to ask a real questionof the candidate that is not scripted or a softball.

  • August 11, 2008

    10:15 a.m.

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    conniesz writes:

    I hope they go after the sale of these tickets - you are supposed to use it yourself and not profit from it other than being there. They have every right to restrict resale, and I hope they stop everyone at the gate who was not the original recipient of the ticket. For each of those people, someone waiting patiently in a line for the "extras" can be let in. It will ensure that only people who want to be there for the right reasons will be admitted. It's their party (the DNC) and they should have absolute control over the invitations - it's as simple as that.

  • August 11, 2008

    11:44 a.m.

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    fntsymtn writes:

    Interesting that the party that espouses equality is going to descriminate at it's own convention ...

  • August 11, 2008

    1:01 p.m.

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    Acemon writes:

    Imagine being strong-armed to work as a volunteer in order to receive Obama tickets. It's almost as bad as being charged a "seat license" for the ability to buy Bronco tickets!

  • August 11, 2008

    4:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    infidel91 writes:

    "the DNC would make a huge PR blunder if it aggressively tries to prevent willing sellers from doing business with eager buyers."

    I thought that was the whole purpose of government these days . . .