Oct 23, 2008 5:39 pm US/Central
Election Night Parties To Be A Study In Contrasts
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama pose on stage after the Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University's Curb Event Center on Oct. 7, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. (File)
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
There are only 12 days until the election. Both presidential campaigns are planning for election night, but in totally different ways.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports election night is going to be a study in contrasts. While John McCain is renting a traditional hotel ballroom in Phoenix for Nov. 4, Barack Obama is expected to speak in grant Park, at a spot being called "Barack-O-Rama."
Obama's campaign is expecting thousands of supporters to gather there, and is preparing for hundreds of journalists from around the world to attend as well.
Heavy equipment moved into the south end of Grant Park Thursday. A new construction shed went up, and more workers joined the crew preparing the park for the huge crowd Of Obama-backers expected to gather on election night.
By contrast, a ballroom at the Arizona Biltmore, near downtown Phoenix, is where John McCain will hold his election night party. Only a small group of pool reporters and cameras will be allowed in. Most journalists are being told they will have to watch on television in an overflow room or a press filing room as McCain either claims victory or concedes.
In Grant Park, the Obama campaign is promising journalists an elevated riser with a roof, plus a heated tent with 32,000 square feet, internet access, telephones and hot meals, albeit at a cost of up to $1,800 a head.
McCain supporters and conservative commentators repeatedly mocked some of Obama's giant campaign rallies. Now, they're ridiculing the scale of his preparations for election night.
"To declare victory 13 days out and start measuring the drapes, it's just beyond me," said Illinois GOP member Patrick Brady. "I mean, we're always happy to showcase the city, but I think they're a little premature."
But Obama supporter Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias said, "I think that's a ridiculous claim.
"I think it's a celebration of what has already been a magical and historical campaign and I think it'll be more of a celebration."
The Associated Press is now reporting that McCain will also speak outdoors on election night, but not to any group of supporters. There will only be a small group of pool reporters who will be able to watch him as he addresses the nation from a lawn at the Arizona Biltmore.
Though there will be a free area for journalists outdoors, the Obama campaign has been criticized for charging journalists to be in Grant Park on Nov. 4. The McCain campaign is also charging reporters – about $700 to join him in Phoenix.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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