Stealing a catchphrase from former President Trump, the theme for some attendees at the Democratic National Convention here might as well be “Grill, baby, grill.” From 4 p.m.
to 2 a.m. each day of the convention, some of the biggest names in politics and media have lined up to get into the CNN Politico Grill, a restaurant and bar (actually several bars) built across the street from the United Center.
The food and drink are free, and the invitations are hard to come by. CNN, which has partnered with Politico on the site this year, started what has become a tradition at each party’s convention in 2004, when the network rented out a diner near New York’s Madison Square Garden, where the GOP had gathered. The pop-up restaurant’s reputation has grown over the years.
CNN received 4,000 requests to get into the Grill for the Democratic convention. About 400 were accepted, according to David Leavy, chief operating officer for CNN Worldwide. “Over 20 years, it’s built up into a brand,” Leavy said.
Leavy said the aim is to build the news organization’s relationships with top campaign officials, policymakers and media outlets. “No one is allowed to bring their assistant in,” he said. CNN stalwarts such as Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and Sara Sidner have made the scene, as have stars from rival organizations, including CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell , her Washington correspondent colleague Robert Costa and NBC’s Chuck Todd.
Politically engaged showbiz types s.