Party Time in Denver for Lobbyists

The conventions are a target-rich environment for corporations and special interests, despite new rules against gifts

by Theo Francis

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Outside the Beta nightclub in Denver near midnight on Aug. 25, a three-foot placard declared one entrance for "Elected Officials" only. An imposing security guard nearby made clear that it was in earnest.

Inside, to the pulsing beat of the Black Eyed Peas' My Humps, Democratic National Convention attendees who could find their way past a bouncer at another entrance could join the lawmakers and help themselves to free cigars on the patio and hors d'oeuvres inside, plus drinks from a half-dozen bars, including a selection of whiskeys and other liquors offered by the Distilled Spirits Council. Near the exit, a card table of literature opposing teenage drinking went largely unnoticed.

Welcome to the other convention. Last year's much-celebrated overhaul of ethics laws notwithstanding, Denver is full of corporate lobbyists in town for the Democratic National Convention this week, and their parties are some of the hottest tickets in the Mile High City. Starting on Aug. 30 the scene will migrate to St. Paul and Minneapolis to greet the Republicans at their convention. But despite the festive atmosphere, convention shindigs aren't all fun and games.

Behind Closed Doors

National party conventions long ago ceased being about picking a Presidential candidate and shaping party platforms in smoke-filled rooms, yet plenty of business still goes on behind closed doors. Lawmakers, lobbyists, and state and federal politicos mingle at hundreds of brunches, receptions, and parties, many sponsored by corporations and trade associations pushing their favorite causes.

At the Spirits of Denver bash at Beta on Monday night, the Distilled Spirits Council was joined by co-sponsors Daimler (DAI) and The Hill, a Washington news organization. Across town, on the 38th floor of a downtown tower, AT&T (ATT) gave Connecticut delegates a coffee bar and late-night breakfast—eggs, sausage, potatoes—to accompany the expansive view of the night skyline. On the other side of the lobby, the telecom giant wooed California delegates with finger food, an open bar, and live R&B by local band Jakarta. Departing guests could take a small drawstring bag emblazoned with AT&T's logo containing a plush toy Denver steer and a visored cap.

A sign cautioned that state or federal rules might prohibit some lawmakers from taking one of the goodie bags, but no one seemed to be watching. Down a short flight of stairs, a showcase for the company's latest technology drew few partiers.

Tighter Gift Rules

The 2008 conventions were supposed to be different, thanks to last year's congressional ethics bill. To hear the legislative backers, convention parties were squarely in the law's crosshairs. But since then, critics say, House and Senate interpretations have weakened the rules considerably. The end result amounts to a fairly narrow ban on parties feting individual lawmakers, and a tightening of gift rules. At least in the House, parties for groups like the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats are fine, and parties the weekend before and after the conventions themselves aren't affected. In the Senate, meals are forbidden but snacks and food on toothpicks are fine if they amount to less than a meal.

In a statement, the Barack Obama campaign said the candidate "expressed a desire to significantly change the way conventions are funded in the future should he be elected," but couldn't this time around because the Democratic primary ended late.