Dispatch From Denver: Obama Tix Sold, Traded

August 28, 2008

The Denver offshoot of online classifieds hub craigslist.org was filled with ads this week offering to buy or sell tickets to the final night of proceedings at the Democratic National Convention where Sen. Barack Obama will accept his party's presidential nomination. Here are a few examples of ads from those eager to make a quick buck or witness history on Thursday evening at Invesco Field:

▪ Obama ticket for sell (one) - $500
▪ Trade: Obama ticket at Invesco....Professional Massage Therapy - $500
▪ Trade Rage Against the Machine Ticket for Obama Speech Ticket

But convention organizers addressed the ticket scalping issue on the Frequently Asked Questions section of its Web site:

Q: What are you going to do about people who try to sell their tickets on eBay or Craigslist?
A: We will have a very strong tracking program for Community Credentials. Each credential will have a bar code and will need to be activated by the credential recipient in order to gain access. Any credentials that are advertised for sale online will be immediately deactivated.
(Photo Credit: ravedelay via Flickr)

Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.

Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.

Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.

Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.

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