From Tampa, Florida -
National Republicans are touting their "Convention Without Walls" program as a way for people who aren't in Tampa to get involved in the GOP convention via the internet. But if those people are interested in Republican activities from Georgia, there won't be much publicity at all.
You may remember last week, when the Georgia GOP told me that all events involving the Georgia Republican Party away from the convention hall would be closed to the press - then officials changed their mind.
I got an email last week that said there would be a brunch on Sunday for delegates, and that "some events may be open to the media" during the convention week.
As I was interviewing Georgia delegates on Saturday, a number of them expressed irritation with the decision of Republican leaders to bar the press from their delegation meetings.
Then they got to watch it first hand on Sunday.
When I drove up to the Georgia hotel, I saw a Georgia state trooper, which indicated one of two things - there was an SEC head football coach in the building or the Governor was there.
Gov. Nathan Deal was there, getting ready to address Georgia's delegates. And so, into the room I walked, looking for a place to plug in my tape recorder.
All I could think was "how great" this would be - easy tape with the Governor, he'll be firing up the troops and this will sound good on the radio.
Then I asked a staffer where I could plug in and she hit me with those awful words: "This event is closed to the press."
And out the door I went.
I stood outside and listened to the Governor. It wasn't a Top Secret speech by any means, which made my ouster all the more frustrating as I heard sound bites roll off his tongue to applause from the delegates.
So, I decided to put out a message on Twitter that I had been asked to leave - and that's when things got interesting.
Three ladies immediately came rushing out the door to get their picture taken with me; they had seen my tweet and were unhappy that I wasn't inside.
Then a few more delegates emerged to say the same thing; two ladies stopped by to say they weren't going to give money to one GOP program anymore because they thought I should be allowed to listen to the Governor.
Former Gov. Zell Miller's grandson came out to say hi. Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA) playfully jabbed at me about why I was standing outside the door.
More delegates emerged with the same message. People tweeted messages to me from inside the delegation meeting, telling me I wasn't missing anything.
It was evidence of the power that social media really has right now.
And so, I waited about two hours for the Governor to emerge, got my three minute interview with him and went back to the Ohio delegation hotel, where I could sit next to Buckeye State delegates as they went through their program - all in public.
In fact, the Ohio delegation will be streaming their activities online - a real "Convention Without Walls" example.
Over at the Georgia hotel, I know that isn't happening this week. And when a top party official didn't answer my email asking what was open to the press and what wasn't, it seemed like I had the answer.
Don't get me wrong - I understand the Georgia GOP can close any meeting they want to when it comes to reporters.
But my only question is, why? Why not let me record what the Governor says to fire up the troops? Why not let me record what the state party chair says to her delegates?
Not only did I miss that, but I also missed an appearance by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, the guy who's in charge.
I guess it's pretty simple - if you don't want publicity, you don't want publicity.
