By: Joe Strupp The first full day of the Republican National Convention offered reporters a smattering of news as the party platform was officially released, former New York Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat, announced he'd vote for George W. Bush, and the roll call vote of delegates began.
On the non-news front, however, working conditions remained a mixed bag for the 15,000 credentialed journalists, who found plenty of luxuries at the media center day spa, but a lack of some food items in the press restaurant. Access to Madison Square Garden and the adjacent media center also was trying at times, especially if one dared to bring umbrellas, which are banned, on this hazy day. Bins filled up with dozens of the confiscated rain protection devices, deemed too dangerous for the incoming crowd.
Inside the media credential center across the street at the Hotel Pennsylvania, officials reported that at least 100 newspapers had not picked up their passes as of noon Monday, meaning they would lose them and other organizations could apply for extras if needed. Officials would not reveal which news organizations didn't pick them up.
When the morning convention session ended at 2:30 p.m., many of the reporters headed to the media center restaurant area, which is just below the complimentary day spa/pool room. After about 20 minutes, the restaurant ran out of many of the favored items and the lunch rush had only hot dogs and roasted red pepper sandwiches from which to choose among the hot food items.
Upstairs, however, the free day spa was busy as journalists signed up for facials, massages, haircuts, manicures and make-up treatments, while also making use of the available billiards table. The massage list was nearly filled for the next two days by 3 p.m. Monday.
Situated in a loft overlooking both the restaurant and the National Journal filing area, some customers could be overheard getting make-up tips, while a reporter below argued about a story over the phone, a cook bellowed for more cheese, and a fireman's radio squawked about an alleged bomb threat at Madison Square Garden next door.
"We have been extremely busy, it has been non-stop," said Howard Barshop, who oversees the facial and paraffin waxing area. He had to turn away a San Francisco Chronicle photographer until the next day because of a booked up schedule. "Facials are the most popular."
Elsewhere in the spa, two Reuters interns sipped cold, complimentary Coors Lights as they waited for haircuts. One of them, Joe Rollin, a recent Boston University graduate, said he was looking forward to a massage to relieve stress from hours standing on the convention floor. "I think it's great," he added.
Not to be outdone, convention planners had also spruced up a nearby men's room to resemble something one might find in a country club or exclusive hotel bathroom. A paid attendant, who declined to give his name, stood guard inside, offering complimentary cologne, lotion, hair gel, brushes and mints. "The people have been nice," he said about the press professionals who come and go. "But I haven't gotten one tip."
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