How is the Democratic Convention like the Super Bowl, you can get those all access box seats if you're willing to pay enough money. From the NYT:

Elected Democratic officials have been calling on corporations — meeting with Wall Street executives and flying to San Diego, Philadelphia and Las Vegas — to raise the $40 million the party has budgeted for the convention, in August. In return, these Democratic officials are promising corporate donors “sponsor benefits packages” that include private sessions with federal officeholders and other influential party leaders.

Concerned about telecom immunity? Worried about the fall out of the home mortgage crisis? Of course you are. Now, you can get access to people with the power to decide those issues, all you need to do is pay for it. You can't get more American than that, now can you?

Brochures being sent to potential corporate donors by the Denver host committee say that “as a sponsor” of the convention, corporate executives will have access to as many as 232 members of Congress, 51 senators and 28 governors in what is being marketed as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. In addition, the more a company gives — with donations of as much as $1 million being sought — the more “V.I.P. access and other benefits” are offered, according to the brochures.

“The 2008 Democratic National Convention will bring together a unique group of business leaders, high-level lawmakers, members of the national and international media and prominent academics,” said a brochure from the host committee. “This is a rare opportunity to play a leadership role in a substantive discussion on timely issues affecting your industry with company executives, scholars, elected officials and members of the media.”

Donors who give $1 million or more at the “Presidential Sponsor” level are given convention credentials to all hospitality suites and are assured of invitations to private events hosted by Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado; the state’s governor, Bill Ritter Jr.; members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation; and other leading Democratic politicians.

And let's thank the gods that Hillary didn't take her fight to the convention. We wouldn't want to have a political battle over things like Universal Healthcare or counting votes because that might ruin the party:

Over the years, the conventions have evolved away from events where the political parties came to debate and pick their presidential nominee. More recently, with the nominees selected months in advance, they have turned into giant festivals promoting their nominee and providing opportunities for members of Congress and high-level corporate executives and lobbyists to meet in social settings — and for corporations to write large checks to support the party.

Yes, we wouldn't want to do anything that might disrupt that.

But, hey, if they didn't raise all this corporate cash, how would they ever be able to afford to hold a convention:

The money raised by the host committees comes on top of $16.3 million each party is given by the federal government to pay for the convention. Each city is also given $50 million in federal anti-terrorism funds for security.

Okay, but a $16 million party* is going to be crappy compared to a $40 million one (the GOP is spending $58 million). You don't want the Democrats to look bad, do you?

And before you judge them, keep in mind the Democrats are still the party of the people. It only takes $1 million to buy total access to their convention. Top access to the GOP convention will cost you $5 million. See, the Democrats do still care about the little people.

NOTE: I would complain about the focus on the Democrats when it's clear the GOP does the same thing. But I'm too appalled to defend them in this instance.

* My first reaction was why the fuck are taxpayers paying for any of this other than, possibly, helping with security costs. My second reaction was, oh yeah, because if we don't then they'll just sell themselves even more. Bringing up my third reaction - so why don't they just allocate $40 million in federal funds if $16 million isn't enough (although I find it hard to believe it can't be done for less than $40 million). But then I realized if they allocated that much taxpayer money, they might look bad. Unlike now.

Update: To be clear, GE here is being used as a generic large corporation, I don't have a list of donors (although I'm going to look around and try to find one). GE will be a player, however, whether it donates or not given its ownership of NBC and MSNBC. The convention is programming for the networks. You can bet the party will want to keep them happy. It's all part of the same problem, IMO, a desire to keep the corporate masters happy.