By: M.L. Stein
AS THE CITY of San Diego went all out to host the recent Republican convention, the San Diego Union-Tribune made a strong ? and expensive ? bid for national recognition.
The Copley newspaper published a special 16-page convention section with each day's issue during the gathering, offering it free in the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, where most of the press had set up shop next door to the convention center.
In addition, the Union-Tribune, Copley News Service and Copley Press hosted a huge outdoor party for the media. Organized by Copley Press president David Copley, the affair drew about 6,000 people.
Under the direction of famed restauranteur Wolfgang Puck, 24 top California chefs were brought in for the event, which featured a variety of cuisine amid flowing wine and champagne. More than 50 California wineries poured their vintages.
Another Copley contribution came from publisher Helen Copley. She gave $500,000 to the San Diego Host Committee, "not to the Republican National Committee," said Herb Klein, Copley Newspapers editor and chief.According to Klein, donations to the local host group were generally made on a nonpartisan basis. As an example, he noted, San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos, a Republican, and John Moores, owner of the San Diego Padres, a Democrat, each gave $250,000.
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