Lukewarm book seller David Carr has assumed his secondary role at the New York Times this convention season. For the next few days, he's eschewing his business reporter role for his Carpetbagger mask. "What!" you exclaim, realizing it is not quite Oscar season and, thus, do not understand why Carpetbagger is getting bylined. It's because the Times has caught on to something about the DNC in Denver: It is actually not a news-making event, but one of glitz, glam, and endless parties. (It also explains why Carr has already told you how to spend your time at the RNC in St. Paul.) The DNC is just like the Oscars, so who better to throw into the mix but Carr. Especially when there's a Cindy Adams nugget to report:

The media party at Elitch Gardens, an urban amusement park, was a huge, excessively democratic affair, with hoards gorging on junk food and free rides. Among other amusements, Cindy Adams, gossip queen of the New York Post, was stiffed out of the V.I.P. area for lacking the proper credentials. There may be hell to pay when Ms. Adams hits print, but the Bagger doubts they will hear the keening out here on the mesa.

The party featured ring tosses and other carnival games where members of the fourth estate got to try as many times as they liked to win massive stuffed animal prizes. By the middle of the evening, the party resembled nothing so much as a huge gathering of very large eight year olds. Given current airline regulations around baggage, the children of hotel housekeepers in Denver should be looking for an early Christmas.

[The Caucus]