The Romney/Ryan campaign may claim to have "built it", but according to this story from San Francisco's KCBS, they apparently weren't allowing anyone else to sell it:
KCBS Exclusive: Small Vendors Barred From Republican National Convention By Romney Campaign
According to the story, the small vendors one typically expects at events of this type were banished to
off-shore off-site locations -- in the case of the story's subject, a hotel some 30 miles away from the convention center (although it's not clear if that distance was due to campaign regulations or simple availability of rooms in the area).
And, it's not like she was selling NRA un-approved items like string, wooden sticks or folding invisible Obamas -- she was selling buttons from "button king" Mort Berkowitz.
The goal, which should surprise no one except Sunday Morning moderators, seemed to be maximizing corporate profits at the expense of individuals and actual "small business"
... those vendors are conspicuously absent this week; instead, there is just an official Romney-Ryan store, a monopoly for the campaign.
because we all know they're one of the most
cash-poor organizations that has ever attempted to saddle up and mount a run for national office [cough].
The Romney campaign is producing its buttons on-site at the convention, but refused to comment on this issue.
I'm shocked,
shocked, that the campaign had no comment. Maybe reporters should try asking an empty chair. Or, judging from Reince Preibus' podium performance, an empty
bar stool.
As Kossack AnnetteK pointed out when first posting about this story earlier today:
Vendors will be allowed to set up as usual at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.
I would certainly hope so. And I hope the Obama campaign gives them all a big shout-out from the dais as well.
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On a side note, while looking (unsuccessfully) for the Twitter pics mentioned in KCBS reporter Doug Sovern's story, I did uncover many fine examples of Eastwooding by reporters and staff:
Doug Sovern @SovernNation
OMG - President Obama is sitting behind me on my flight to #DNC2012! #eastwooding http://pic.twitter.com/...
--
cbs5 @CBSSF
RT @queenkv: #kvpnewsroom : More #cbs5am #Eastwooding w/ #BrianHackney @MichelleGriego5 @Wengerelizabeth @gianna_franco http://instagr.am/...
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cbs5 @CBSSF
Are you jumping into this #RNC2012 meme? RT @CateCauguiran:@queenkv @jhcrew #Eastwooding in live truck (PHOTO) http://pic.twitter.com/... #cbs5am
Thanks, Clint - you've made
many a day :)