Porta-complaints
Reporters working in the media pavilion outside the FleetCenter were promised the finest in toilet accommodations -- not the turquoise, smelly portable toilets found at concerts and on construction sites, but ''executive trailers" that were air-conditioned and had flushing capabilities.
But when the media started arriving Friday, they found the standard portable variety. Some, according to one media representative, already had an unpleasant odor.
''We heard lots of complaints last night when some reporters walked out in front and saw these porta-potties," said Jerry Gallegos, director of the US House of Representatives' press gallery.
Spokespeople for the Democratic National Convention Committee sounded incredulous that anyone was complaining, given that the convention was hours away. ''We're doing everything we can to make sure we're providing the services everyone needs while they're working," said spokeswoman Lina Garcia.
No room for Nader
Independent Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader won't be rubbing elbows with Democratic Party bigwigs at this week's convention -- he can't even get in.
Nader's last-minute attempts to get credentials for the FleetCenter were rejected Friday, after he announced at a press conference in a Harvard University classroom that he would like to attend.
''Ralph Nader has the option to set up his own convention under Pat Buchanan's ticket," said Jano Cabrera, a Democratic National Committee spokesman.
Nader would have attended the conference for a day in an ''observer capacity," said Michael Richardson, Massachusetts coordinator for the Nader campaign. But when a staffer made phone calls to three different people for help getting a pass, no one called back.
''They're afraid that if Ralph comes to the convention, he's going to get their votes because they don't have faith in their candidate," said Kevin Zeese, a Nader spokesman.
Vigil is verboten
They envisioned a stirring evening prayer vigil in front of Senator John F. Kerry's Louisburg Square home to highlight the candidate's views on abortion. Not so fast, said the Secret Service.
Although the Christian Defense Coalition had a permit from the city, the Secret Service rejected the group's plans. The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the coalition, said he learned of the agency's action after going to the site Friday and speaking to agents there. Mahoney said yesterday the coalition will file a lawsuit against the Secret Service in federal court tomorrow.
A Secret Service spokeswoman, Lorie Lewis, said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
Party on, Nebraska
Delegates from some smaller or Republican-leaning states can feel left out. They don't always get invited to the glitziest parties.
So last night, Nebraska, along with Virginia, hosted the ''Black Ball at the Black Rose," a spoof on the chic parties with which more coveted delegations are wooed.
''I didn't get that invitation to the rooftop party at the Ritz," joked Barry Rubin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
A Fenway souvenir
It appears a delegate from New Mexico who attended the Red Sox-Yankees game Friday night was a marked man, in more than one sense. A Kevin Millar home-run ball careened off a sign and smacked businessman David S. Smoak, who was sitting in a seat intended for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
The blow imprinted the stitches of the ball on Smoak's forehead, Matt Farrauto, a delegation spokesman, said in an e-mail. ''This morning the bruise had formed into a solid red blotch," he said, adding that ''Smoak is good-humored about the situation."
Globe staffers Anand Vaishnav, Jenn Abelson, Michael Paulson, and Globe correspondent Katie Nelson contributed to this report.
