Americans tuning to opening night of the Democratic convention July 26 will see their state delegates in Boston waving signs on cue and breaking into choreographed eruptions of joy for the imminent nomina-tion of John Kerry. What viewers across the country won't see is some of those delegates knocking back frozen margaritas, lobster quesadillas, and coconut shrimp slathered in orange-chili glaze the night before-courtesy of media giant Time Warner. The cable, programming, and publishing conglomerate-which has a plateful of regulatory goals-is hosting a contingent of state delegates to a late-night pre-convention party Sunday at Tia's, a restaurant with spectacular views of Boston Harbor. Because network cameras are kept far away, few realize that private extravaganzas like this are a staple of presidential conventions-most of it funded by corporate cash. All contributing companies have legislative issues pending in Washington. They know that helping the national political parties entertain the party faithful will buy them access when the time comes to seek favors.
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