Maintaining the Sugar Buzz

To keep the news flowing from the hundreds of news organizations reporting on the convention, the San Diego Marriott--the primary media hotel--rolled out 15 miles of cable throughout the hotel adjacent to the convention center. To help keep the journalists, delegates and politicos at the convention operating at peak on a sugar buzz, the Marriott said Thursday it has sold 41,000 brownies and cookies during the convention. It also has poured 20,000 beers and 2000 bottles of wine to help boost the celebratory mood.

Seeing Red

Why were so many people seeing red--red clothes, that is--at the convention? Easy, says Beverly Hills media consultant Carole Hemingway. “Red communicates excitement, electricity, drama and power, and that, I think is the way women have been feeling at this convention. When others see red, they are going to stand at attention and that focus is good.” Who doesn’t need to wear red? Elizabeth Dole, says Hemingway. “Her job was to bring attention to Bob Dole. She was there to make him shine.” Thus, Elizabeth Dole’s pale pumpkin suit of Wednesday night was no accident, said Hemingway.

Prepare to Wait

Conventioneers flying out of San Diego today are advised to get there early--like 90 minutes early. “We are expecting one of our heaviest days ever,” said airport spokeswoman Rita Vandergaw. The airlines will be turning to bigger aircraft. So instead of flying in a Boeing 757, let’s say, you would be taking off in a Boeing 767. That’s essentially a jump from 200 passengers to 300, she said.