Sweet blog special: Obama, Edwards working to pack the room at Friday DNC meeting. Obama first college rally.

By Lynn Sweet

Barack Obama and John Edwards are working to pack the room with their supporters at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Convention where all the White House hopefuls will speak. Both campaigns e-mailed appeals on Tuesday morning asking to show up at the Washington Hilton hotel on Friday.

This will be the first time all the 2008 Democratic hopefuls will all be on a stage together, though not at the same time. It will be a level playing field for the first time.

Click down to read column I wrote on Monday on what is at stake at the DNC meeting.

Heres the Tuesday update:

The top tier candidates are speaking on Friday. (schedule below) It will be the first organizational test of the campaigns: will there be signs, buttons, most important, supporters in the room on a workday. The campaigns will have to get their people in early since it is first-come first served seating.

Obama has an extra card he is playing to draw attention to himself on Fridayhe agreed to appear Friday afternoon at a rally planned by an ad hoc group called Students for Barack Obama at George Mason University in northern Virginia.

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From the Obama camp

I am writing to invite you to see Senator Obama speak at two events in the Washington, DC-area on Friday, February 2, 2007.

At 10:00 AM at the Washington Hilton at 1919 Connecticut Avenue, Senator Obama will address the Democratic National Committee’s Winter Meeting. Doors will open at 8:00 AM and seating will be limited, so please come early. If you’re planning on attending, please let us know by sending an email to:

rsvpdnc@barackobama.com

Later that day, Senator Obama will appear at a rally sponsored by Students for Barack Obama in Johnson Hall at George Mason University. Doors will open at 11:30 AM and Senator Obama will speak at approximately 1:00 PM. Please RSVP for the rally at http://www.studentsforbarackobama.com/.

Students for Barack Obama is a network of more than 52,000 students that began on the website Facebook.com and has grown into a national grassroots movement.

Both of these events will be great opportunities to demonstrate the tremendous grassroots enthusiasm for Senator Obama and his efforts to change politics in this country. I hope you will be able to join us.

Sincerely,

David Plouffe

Paid for by Obama Exploratory Committee

From the Edwards camp

I’m writing to invite you to come hear John Edwards outline his vision for the Democratic Party and our country at the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting on Friday morning at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Dupont Circle (1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009).

This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate Senator Edwards’ grassroots support.

Senator Edwards is scheduled to speak at approximately 10:40 a.m. However, since the doors will be opening at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting will be starting at 9:00 a.m., we recommend that you try to join us as early as possible since individuals will be allowed into the hotel ballroom on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We’ll have a table with stickers, t-shirts, flyers and other materials, and laptops to sign up new One Corps members. You’re welcome and encouraged to bring friends and family along too.

Please RSVP by replying to this e-mail. We will reserve a t-shirt and other materials for everyone who RSVPs.

Hope to see you on Friday!

Sincerely,

George Stern

National One Corps Director

John Edwards for President

How You Can Take Action

Join the Campaign Friday, February 2, 2007 – DNC General Session (Approximately 9 AM to Noon)

From the DNC.

The following is the list of speakers in order of appearance:

Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (NV)

DNC Chairman Howard Dean