Status of DNC's green chief hazy
Some say Andrea Robinson is out; not so, official says
Jerd Smithand David Montero, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 14, 2008 at 8:46 p.m.
Updated August 15, 2008 at 1:03 a.m.
Andrea Robinson's efforts have sometimes been ridiculed.
The status of the woman in charge of making the Democratic National Convention the greenest ever is in question, with sources saying she's been sidelined and convention officials insisting she's still in the high-profile job.
Andrea Robinson was forced out of any meaningful role because of ongoing conflicts with vendors and her co-workers at the Democratic National Convention Committee, several sources said Thursday.
Democratic National Convention spokesman Damon Jones, however, said Robinson is still on the DNCC payroll and working on a "number of different projects."
"She is still director of greening and sustainability," Jones said.
Robinson did not return several calls or e-mails seeking comment.
And Jones declined to arrange an interview with Robinson, saying she and other key DNCC staffers didn't have time to talk given the work that remains to be done before the convention opens Aug. 25.
Robinson, an actress turned environmental activist, has appeared in a number of television series, including an appearance last season on CSI: Miami.
Alan Saffron, Robinson's manager of two years, said she contacted him recently to say she was "finished" with the director of greening job.
"She told me the job was finished by e-mail about a week ago and that there was nothing more for her to do there," Saffron said. "Her job was to ensure the convention was green and she did that."
Initially, Saffron said he expected to see her in Los Angeles as early as Monday - a full week before the convention starts. But late Thursday, Saffron said he had talked with DNCC officials who assured him she was still on the job.
Robinson's effort to green the giant gathering had come under intense scrutiny and was sometimes ridiculed for requiring organic and fat-free foods, and hard-to-obtain materials, such as biodegradable food-handling gloves.
Hit by controversy
It was clear from the start that greening the event would not be without controversy.
Early on the DNCC refused to release critical estimates on the greenhouse gases the event would generate and what it's specific goals for shrinking the convention's carbon footprint were, information that is routinely disclosed as part of such efforts.
A much publicized program to get all state delegations to offset by 100 percent the CO2 generated by their travel to Denver was slow to launch.
In addition, one of the projects the DNCC hailed as a key part of its green effort, a wind turbine in Wray, has encountered numerous delays and difficulties in producing electricity.
Thursday afternoon the DNCC issued a press release saying Coca-Cola had been named the official recycling provider for all convention venues, handling the recovery of paper, plastic and aluminum cans, and providing biodegradable bags, liners and recycling bins for material recovery.
Robinson's name was not listed as a contact on the release.
Jones said the DNCC has brought in several more staffers to help with the greening effort.
"We have added to her team," Jones said. "But we've added people to everyone's team. She's still working on a number of different projects."
Saffron said he is anxious for her to get back to Los Angeles, even if it's after the convention, which ends Aug. 28.
"As soon as she gets back, I've got a half-dozen projects I want her to get going on," he said. "And I know she's excited to get back."
The projects, Saffron said, were a combination of television pilots and some feature film roles. He said that her "sabbatical" to do the job of director of greening was something she pursued because she was "passionate about the environment."
But several weeks ago, Robinson told the Rocky that she hadn't listed her acting career on her resume because it was something in her past. Robinson said she wasn't sure what she would do once the convention is over.
smithj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5474
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August 14, 2008
9:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mike846 writes:
"Andrea Robinson was forced out of any meaningful role because of ongoing conflicts with vendors and her co-workers at the Democratic National Convention Committee, several sources said Thursday." That's politically-correct language combined with corporate-speak to say she couldn't get along with ANYONE and was making the Democrats look bad while doing it. That's what happens when you hire someone based on an agenda other than who is best for the job. After watching this fiasco for months now, I'm convinced the people running it are congenitally incapable of making good decisions. And you want them to be in charge for the next four years?? Mike
August 14, 2008
9:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
FCZ writes:
Andrea Robinson, a 38-year-old blonde
redstate.com, noted on the DNCC's biography page for Robinson, it touted her 25 years of environmental experience.
That would mean the DNCC was counting experience from when she was 13.
"Is Andrea Robinson lying about her age or is the DNC lying about her qualifications?"
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...
August 15, 2008
8:26 a.m.
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Mayor_Quimby writes:
Thats too funny. Maybe its why McCain now has the lead in the state of colorado according to Rasmussen.
"The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Colorado voters shows John McCain attracting 47% of the vote while Barack Obama earns 45%. When “leaners” are included, it’s McCain by a single percentage point, 49% to 48%.
While McCain’s advantage is statistically insignificant, it is the first time he has been ahead in Colorado in seven monthly polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports this year. It’s also the first time that McCain has reached the 47% level of support. Only once before this month had Obama’s support fallen below 46%. (Demographic crosstabs are available for Premium Members.)
A month ago, Obama led by seven points overall but by just three points when leaners were included. Two months ago, the race was a toss-up. "
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publi...
August 15, 2008
5:55 p.m.
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smartpearl writes:
Thank god for people like Andrea Robinson who are passionate about conservation. I find the sustainability the best part of the convention for our great city. I'm sure there are difficulties with trying to get masses of people to conserve and it scares business to take on such a role when the press and those ignorant to the effort make light of it. I happen to have met Andrea when she was volunteering her time to help plant trees and I met her again phone banking to help newly registered voters get to a caucus. Her efforts are far and beyond what we can expect the Republicans to do in any attempt to conserve energy and help make our planet a better future for our children. THANK YOU ANDREA for standing up to people who are nay sayers inside and outside of the any party operation. Denver and the DNCC are lucky to have you.
August 17, 2008
7:49 p.m.
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MightieRightie writes:
Our company approached both the RNC and the DNC to vendor our services. As a long time GOP'er I was disappointed that we never heard back from the RNC but we have had the good fortune of working with Ms. Robinson for the Dem Convention and I am quite surprised by the statements in this article and in it's comments. She was incredibly accommodating and was very effective at bringing together all the key enablers. Even through her busy schedule she never once lost her cool while speaking with us and always seemed professional and graceful. Just thought you might like the opinion of someone that actually worked with her rather than the opinions of some who probably haven't.