For background information on which of our writers will be at the Convention, click here.

For Immediate Release

DNC Chairman Governor Dean Selects Kansas Blog For Democratic National Convention 'State Blogger Corps'

May 16, 2008

EverydayCitizen.com is recognized by Democratic National Committee as the official Kansas Blog to cover the National Convention in Denver this August

HAYS, KS – EverydayCitizen.com, a national group blog headquartered in Hays, Kansas, has been selected by the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) as the only Kansas blog to receive unprecedented press privileges and access at the Democratic convention in Denver this August.

EverydayCitizen.com’s editor and publisher says, “This is a great honor for all of our authors and journalists at EverydayCitizen.com. We look forward to attending the convention, representing Kansas, and providing interesting coverage for all of our Kansan readers.”

As part of the DNCC's commitment to engaging a broad spectrum of audiences in the 2008 Democratic National Convention experience using new technology and other creative means, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean today announced the blogs selected to participate in the State Blogger Corps during the four-day event in August.

"Similar to the record-breaking voter turnout our Party has seen during the primary season, the demand for these coveted blogger positions is yet another indicator of the tremendous interest in this historic Convention," said Governor Dean. "The Internet has played a critical role in connecting Americans to elected officials and candidates seeking office. The DemConvention State Blogger Corps will continue to foster this dialogue - in all 50 of our states and our territories too - as we head towards this year's historic election and elect a Democrat to the White House."

The DNCC previously announced an expansion of the credentialed blogger pool from past Conventions and the addition of a state blogger credentialing program. As part of the new DemConvention State Blogger Corps, designed for bloggers covering state and local politics, bloggers will receive unparalleled access to state delegations and the floor of the Convention hall.

In a truly unprecedented move, the DNCC will seat these bloggers with their respective delegations during the historic four-day event, providing even greater access for local coverage and perspective.

She designed and developed EverydayCitizen.com in 2007 in order to provide a greater voice for ordinary citizens. “These are such important times. Everyday people want to examine the important issues and conditions facing our nation and our world. The people who write for EverydayCitizen.com all care deeply about the social, economic, environmental and human conditions and are compelled to engage in discussions about these things they care so much about. Our blog offers opportunities for our authors and readers to engage, motivate, or stimulate interaction of ideas and thoughts across gender, generational, and ethnic lines.”

"The members of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps represent a broad spectrum of voices that illustrate the 'big tent' nature of our Party," said DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry.

"Many of these blogs are vibrant communities, well respected in their home states and committed to ensuring that all voices can be heard in the political process. I'm excited about the roles these bloggers will have in engaging an even broader, more diverse base of people from around the country in conversations not only about the Convention, but about the future of our nation."

More than 400 applications were received from bloggers across the United States and multiple territories for the state blogger corps and over 2,000 for the general blogger credentialing and multiple territories. In all, about 120 were selected for the general corps and 55 were chosen for the state corps.

EverydayCitizen.com is the only blog from Kansas that will receive these credentials. Furthermore, EverydayCitizen will have unprecedented access since it is the only blog or media organization that will be embedded with the delegates.

Some of the blogs selected for the State Corps are full-time, professional endeavors while others are the work of individuals, who through their own efforts have become recognized authorities on state and local politics. Blogs had to submit daily audience information and provide examples of posts that made their blogs stand out as an effective online organizing tool or agent of change, a demonstration of both the reach and impact blogs have had and will continue to have on the 2008 election.

EverydayCitizen.com, while only a year old, already receives over 750 visits an hour and has had as many as 4,500 page view in one hour. Altogether, over 65 reporters and authors are credentialed to write at EverydayCitizen.com

“We are extremely proud of the work we do at EverydayCitizen.com and are all thrilled and honored to be selected to provide Kansas specific coverage at the national convention," EC's editor adds. "This will be a historically significant and extremely important convention to write about. Being embedded with the Kansas delegation on the convention floor will offer us unique opportunities to give our readers up close and personal stories.”

More information about the individual Everyday Citizen writers going to the convention here.

More information about Governor Dean’s announcement can also be found at www.DemConvention.com.

For highlights in the lead up to and during the Convention, stay tuned. You will be able to turn to www.EverydayCitizen.com for both state and national coverage.

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