Did leaders forget to plan the Democratic National Convention?

It’s just day one, but the Democratic National Convention seems ill-prepared. In fact, I’m starting to wonder when they started executing this event.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, staffers were still putting up signs, curtains, and lighting. Booths for convention memorabilia were not stocked.

At lunch time, there were only three small stands open on the entire main concourse level.

Related: Is the Democratic convention’s only all-gender bathroom a publicity stunt?

This is in stark contrast to the Republican National Convention. Everything was set up, it seemed, days in advance. There were multiple options for food and space to relax and unwind. There was even a stage for live musical acts (to be fair they weren’t ever very good).

The differences in talk radio row? Where do I begin?

It was huge during the RNC. It took up most of an entire parking garage floor. There was A/C blasting, a coffee and ice cream kiosk, individual cubicles for the talk shows, and a lot of energy. Members of Congress, TV talking heads, and even Don King roamed around, open for interviews.

At the DNC? Not even close. We’re packed alongside a small section of tables. No guests have roamed yet (you had to pre-book them all; there seems no willingness by those here to talk to media, not in their home state, which is a huge difference from the RNC where guests spoke to anyone). The A/C seems spotty (and it’s almost 100 degrees outside). Coffee? We have a warm water fountain. That’s something. Why the difference? A colleague told me: Republicans love talk radio. Democrats? Not so much.

Now, it’s only day one, so things can change dramatically when more delegates get here. And the truth is, this is more about what happens on the stage than around it. For now, though, it appears we’ve been spoiled by the RNC.

It's 11am & they're STILL setting up for #DNCinPHL. Much different than #RNCinCLE. It was all done when we arrived. pic.twitter.com/jp6YDVGMj5

— (((Jason Rantz))) (@jasonrantz) July 25, 2016

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