Gawker: valleywag, dnc

On a Segway, you don't have dress like as a donkey to look like an ass

Owen Thomas — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Denver's a sprawling city, so we can't decide whether MSNBC's elephant-and-donkey mascots rode Segways at the Democratic National Convention as a blogger-baiting publicity stunt or a practical transportation move. Can you think of a better caption? Leave it in the comments. The best one will become the new headline. (Bonus points to those who avoid the obvious "asses of themselves" joke.) Yesterday's winner: Duncan, for "When I grow up, I want to become President." (Photo by Steve Rhodes)

When I grow up, I want to become President

Jackson West — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Hunky God-mayor Gavin Newsom tries out his new stand-up routine at the Unconventional '08 party in Denver, in front of a backdrop featuring Shepard Fairey's Soviet-kitsch Barack Obama propaganda and a hipster mashup of Obama as Illinois Republican Abraham Lincoln. Care to heckle San Francisco's mayor? Best caption in the comments becomes the new headline. Yesterday's winner: "Ask me about our affordable day care plans!" by null. (Photo by Steve Rhodes)

"Ask me about our affordable day care plans!"

Jackson West — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:00:00 EDT

For those stressed out at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo. this week, the Google "Retreat" offered a refreshing smoothie and a free, ten-minute massage. Because nothing says "Stick it to the man!" like a rubdown from your friendly search-engine overlords. Think you're funny? Best caption submitted in the comments will get ranked first as the headline. Yesterday's winner was auntanna for "Mark is all smiles until Dave explains the 'vomitorium.'" (Photo by Steve Rhodes)

Why are bloggers cheap? We've found the answer

Jackson West — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:40:00 EDT

It costs an estimted $50,000 per reporter to cover the media blitz at the big political parties' national conventions, causing some to wonder why coverage is so expensive. Short answer? Journalists with news organizations perceived as legitimate are members of unions and therefore have collectively bargained contracts which provide for accommodations — instead of relegating them to friends' couches. If Google offered bloggers beds and balanced meals instead of candy buffets and Wi-Fi, the search engine just might be able to command the same level of kowtowing obsequiousness America's political parties get from the well-rested mainstream press. [Podcasting News]

At DNC, Google beckons bloggers with happy endings

Melissa Gira Grant — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Have you heard about Google's "Big Tent," the $100 luxury newsroom Google has set up for bloggers at the Democratic National Convention? If not, here's another story on the Internet where reporters go, Oh man, Google is totes on the pulse, giving all the intrepid young blogger kids at the Democratic National Convention this week a safe place to get massaged for free by ladies and plug in their 'iPones" — read the label — while they change the world together!

And hey look, Craig Newmark! And Digg is there, too, suggesting Google might have been serious about buying them when they planned this event. Upload your video to YouTube with this "YouTube Upload Station. The YouTube Upload Station is so much more than a MacBook with a T1 connection because it is a democracy engine.

Go, Google. Go, Barack. Go, getting praise in all the papers for reaching out with social media. But please, massages from a company that misspells iPhone? Save that for the Republicans.

(Photos by Steve Rhodes)