CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When adjusting to unfamiliar settings, sometimes it pays to behave as if you’ve been there before. And that was the advice imparted to Virginia delegates this morning.
It’s day one of the Democratic National Convention, and with Virginia front and center (literally, the delegation’s in the middle of the convention floor), party leaders thought it wise to offer a crash course in publicity management.
At this morning’s breakfast meeting for the delegation, Democratic Party of Virginia Dave Mills noted that Virginia is one of only seven states on the floor at the Time Warner Cable Arena, an only Illinois and Delaware are seated in front of Virginia.
“I think we know why,” he said, referring to the fact that the president is from Illinois and the vice president from Delaware.
Mills stressed to the delegates that their place in the action would feel “like a fishbowl,” with lights and cameras mercilessly focused on them at all times.
“If you feel like you’re on TV, it’s because you are,” he said.
Mills also urged delegates not to leave their seats for extended periods of time, because “it kind of looks bad.”
Noting that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate was due to speak between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tonight, Mills urged those in attendance to let their enthusiasm shine for the world to see.
“Play it up,” he said.
