MetroWest Daily News - Press has the first party

MetroWest Daily News - Local News Coverage: "BOSTON -- From the network television talent to the anonymous Internet scribes, thousands of reporters, pundits and hangers-on rubbed elbows at a lavish party in Boston last night to kick off the 2004 Democratic National Convention in style.

According to the DNC, there are about 15,000 members of the media with credentials to cover the convention. They came from as far away as Japan, and for the first time, 35 Internet 'bloggers' received their passes to cover the proceedings.

Reporters entered the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center near the waterfront on a red carpet guarded by a fairly heavy police presence outside. There were droves of officers, but no picketers. The event, sponsored by the Boston Globe and Verizon, among others, had a budget of $800,000 and included such extravagances as a full-size Ferris wheel, food donated by 70 different restaurants -- including celebrity chef Todd English -- and a concert by Little Richard. "


By Michael Kunzelman and Peter Reuell
News Staff Writers