Google courts bloggers-politicos at US presidential conventions

AFP, August, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Google will be pampering bloggers and tutoring US policy makers at Democratic and Republican national conventions as Internet culture flexes growing political muscle.

The Internet giant is joining news-ranking website Digg and blogger groups to set up a "Big Tent" for media and delegates at the Democratic convention next week in the US state of Colorado.

The 743-square-meter (8,000-square-foot) center will feature a public area with kiosks for uploading videos to Google-owned YouTube and demonstrations of services offered by the Mountain View, California, firm.

Google will also provide free massages and blended ice-and-fruit "smoothie" drinks. It plans to bring the same amenities to the Republican convention in Minnesota.

The...