Cost

One common misunderstanding about these conventions is that we as delegates have to cover the costs ourself. For someone working politics right now, that could easily be a steep figure - flying across the country and spending five nights. Fortunately the party does have the ability to help cover some of the cost - but I'm choosing not to go that route unless I have to.

I think I've been quite fortunate. They sent us information that the hotel would be at least $199 a night plus tax if staying alone... that would easily come out over $1,000! So I immediately hopped on the phone and tried to find some other young delegates.

It turns out that my good friend Tony McEwen, who I called to get names from, is a delegate also. He's just a few years older than me and is serving as the Chair of NC's 10th District Democratic Party. His district borders mine. He got elected as one of their two Obama delegates (they have the same breakdown as mine).

So, since his wife isn't going, we decided to room together. We also found out that a friend of a friend, William Styles from the 11th District also won, as a Hillary delegate. He also agreed to join us, as he is just finishing up his last year of college at Western Carolina.

So, we should have a much cheaper room plus plenty of fun. It's nice to know that not only is the cost going to be cut by 2/3, but I'll also have some folks to hang around while out there. Western North Carolina Young Democrats are well represented in our room!

As for the flight, I knew it would be best to go ahead and book it. My parents live in Raleigh, so I knew I could fly from there and leave my car with them. Being in Boone, I have to travel 2 hours at least to get to any decent-sized airport; Raleigh is 3 hours. They sent us an email saying that United was the official carrier and would give a small discount. Well, that still turned out to be ridiculously expensive!

I found my flight on one of those travel sites (I checked them all, but I think I went with Orbitz). I'm flying round-trip, with one stop and in economy class, from Raleigh to Denver on American Airlines for about $260 - about half of what United would have charged from there. And I don't have to pay for parking!

So you see - going to one of these things, especially 2008, is going to be a ton of fun. Fortunately, I've also found a way to make it (relatively) cheap.