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Election 1996
Postcard from San Diego
A daily report from the Republican Convention
by MPR News Editor Bob Collins

AUGUST 14, 1996
| Backlash | Getting Pinned | Reporting on Reporters |

Backlash
Minnesota delegates have apparently seen enough reporters to last a lifetime, and the backlash has started. Many delegates couldn't see the speakers Monday when reporters stood in the aisles interviewing delegates from nearby states (Pennsylvania is a popular stop). Eighth District delegate Therese Vaughn had had enough by the time the keynote speech started Tuesday and gave her seat to an alternate. "It's too much -- you can't hear or see anything," she said. Yesterday morning a delegate asked State Party Chair Chris Georgacus to tell reporters to "get off their butts and get out!"

Getting Pinned
I think I'm behind the learning curve in this pin-collecting business, which apparently is quite the rage at conventions.

I started today with my first pin ever in 20 years of reporting. National Public Radio gave me a lovely pewter pin that said, appropriately, "NPR." At the time, I thought it would be a nice touch if it said "San Diego 96" or something. So I traded it to the bouncer (although they're called "hosts") at the Bell South media pavilion in exchange for a Bell South pin AND a Bell South Election 96 pin. Later, I got an AT&T pin. I seem to have developed a telecommunications rut and a quick caucus of reporters here on Radio Row revealed I got taken by the telephone company.

Reporting on Reporters
Sometimes you just hate to be with a bunch of reporters. I'm as interested in seeing famous people as the next person, but it seems strange to me when reporters see other, albeit more famous, reporters and fawn over them. I admit to burying my face in my hands when Harry Shearer walked by and a colleague in our small delegation, yelled "Harry Shearer! I'm a big fan!" Later, walking to a media lounge to get another free lunch, my escort saw Paula Poundstone and attempted to interview her.

I have one rule in covering conventions: when you start interviewing each other, it's time to go home. By the third day of a convention, the tendency for reporters and media folks to interview other reporters and media folks grows exponentially. Watch for it today, but not on MPR.

Visit Election 1996 for access to previous Postcards
and other MPR election information.