washingtonpost.com Announces Comprehensive Coverage of Democratic and Republican Conventions

Business Wire, August 20, 2008

New Video Technology, Top Reporters, Campaign Resources and More Offer Readers Interactive Conventions Experience

WASHINGTON -- washingtonpost.com, a leading authority on political news and innovative online video, today announces a comprehensive package for the Democratic and Republican conventions, providing the ultimate, go-to source for continuous campaign coverage, convention events, political news and analysis.

"washingtonpost.com is a destination for readers who want more from their political news source than one-way communication," said Jim Brady, Executive Editor of washingtonpost.com. "At this year's convention, we will bring users real-time video coverage and interactive features and will provide a conventions experience like never before."

Visit the 2008 Conventions Package here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/politics/

Multimedia: Incorporating cutting-edge video technology and multimedia features take online political coverage to a new level.

* Live Video Coverage--Daily Web coverage from the conventions hosted by Washington Post and Newsweek's political teams, including Chris Cillizza, Michael Isikoff, Jon Meacham, Howard Kurtz and Dana Milbank. For the first time, reporters will live-stream interviews from cell phones directly onto the live Web cast. A live discussion platform below the video screen lets users be a part of the conversation.

* Interactive Timelines--A deep look into the lives and careers of John McCain and Barack Obama, including scores of photos, videos, stories and profiles of the two candidates, tracing their rise to power.

* Path to the Nomination--Narrated videos of the important moments in Barack Obama and John McCain's campaigns illustrating how they got to where they are now.

* Convention Retrospectives--Video interviews with David Broder and Ed O'Keefe providing a look back at some of the crucial moments in convention history.

Interactive Resources: Enhance readers' ability to get involved in news coverage.

* Live Discussion Series--Readers get their questions answered directly by Washington Post reporters and columnists in addition to campaign figures.

* Political Landscape 2008 Map--Go-to resource for presidential election information, including delegate profiles, convention histories, polling information, campaign finance and event schedules.

* Pick Your President Contest--Readers compete to correctly predict which states will make up the 270 electoral votes that John McCain or Barack Obama need to win the election.

* Travel Tips--Everything travelers need to know to get around Denver and St. Paul: places to stay, events to watch and what to do outside of the conventions.

* PostPolitics Podcast--A daily political show hosted by Ed O'Keefe talking with Post reporters and newsmakers.

In-Depth News & Analysis: The Post's political journalists offer the most intelligent, beyond-the-headlines analysis of news and information from the conventions and shaping the 2008 election.

* Convention Previews--An in-depth overview on both the Democratic and Republican conventions discusses the major issues and events important to each campaign.

* Style Section--Political profiles and engaging perspectives from the Post's award-winning Style reporters.

* Inside Gossip--Scoops from the Reliable Source

* Washington Post Polls--New polls to be released around the conventions.

Political Blogs: Provide continuously undated news and event coverage throughout the conventions.

* NEW: PostPartisan--The Post's opinion columnists launch a new blog, offering a regular channel for reactions and perspectives on convention events.

* The Fix--Chris Cillizza will cover the important developments at the conventions that readers need to know.

* The Trail--A daily diary of campaign 2008 will have continuous news and updates from the Post's political team.

* Rough Sketch--Clever, irreverent commentary and video sketches by Dana Milbank on convention events.

* The Fact Checker--Michael Dobbs will fact check candidate statements during speeches.

* The Sleuth--Mary Ann Akers will report on the insider DNC parties and share behind-the-scenes news and gossip.

* Capitol Briefing--Ben Pershing will report from the RNC on the perspectives of Congressional members and delegates.

* Channel '08--Provides regular analysis of campaign ads.

* Behind the Numbers--A look inside the polls, survey and voting data that is helping to drive campaign messages.

Mobile Distribution: Brings readers political news and information wherever they are.

* Mobile Devices--Political coverage is available on http://mobile.twp.com across all mobile devices, plus an optimized easy-to-read design on the iPhone, and a "Campaign Tracker" widget for Windows user.

* Widgets--Users can add their favorite washingtonpost.com political blogs to their own sites.

* Email newsletter--Users can get major convention news and political coverage sent to them directly via a daily email.

* Text alerts--Provide breaking political news alerts as stories are posted to washingtonpost.com.