Apples and oranges


Not all convention experiences are the same, says Rob Black, a Democratic delegate from Apex.

State delegates and Washington D.C. insiders can share a city for a week, but their activities beyond the convention floor vary greatly, he said.

“It’s apples and oranges,” said Black, 39.

Black should know. This is his fifth convention, but his first as a delegate.

Black spent years working in Washington and had attended conventions since 1992 because they had something to do with his job.

“If you come from D.C. as a Beltway politico, you are much more plugged in to the parties,” he said. “They are the coin of the realm for D.C. politicos. If you come from the states, you’re not as plugged in to the social circuit or the buzz as to what the hottest party is.”

Black, who owns a political communications and lobbying firm that specializes in labor union work, called Dome this afternoon from a light rail station.

The North Carolina delegation was put in a hotel some miles from downtown Denver, but close to the rail line.

That’s what the delegation is using most to get around, he said.

You must be logged in to post a comment on this blog. If you already have an N&O online user account, click here to log in. Otherwise, click here to register (it's free!).