The Democratic Convention by the numbers

A stack of Obama dolls ready for sale
A vendor sells Barack Obama dolls outside of the Pepsi Center during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

It's estimated that 50,000 people will descend on downtown Denver this week for the Democratic National Convention.

A Barack Obama doll
Obama merchandise, such as this doll, is for sale all around the grounds of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This plush Obama is one of the most sought-after souvenirs in Denver.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

Of those 50,000 people, 4,400 of them are delegates, and 15,000 are members of media.

Thousands of protesters have hit the Mile-High City to make their voices heard. And it can seem like there are as many messages as there are protesters.

The signs and causes are as varied at the people:

  • I'm advocating for free trade

  • Sustainable living

  • We're encouraging people get vaccinated for flu

  • Commuter trains that will take thousands of motor vehicles off the road.

  • I just want humanity to look at itself.

An estimated 15 percent of protesters sport either a crazy hat or a red, white and blue bandanna.

And oversized prop abound with about 40 percent using them, and the props range from a paper-macche head of Donald Rumsfeld or a 12-foot long polar bear.

Number of protesters who, when really pressed, truly believe convention delegates will see their demonstrations: 4.

Hillary dolls for sale
Visitors can pick up a Hilary Clinton dollar for $20.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

Percentage of protesters who seem more concerned with media coverage that getting the ear of a politician: 70.

In a span of just 8 blocks, you can catch performances by three hip-hop dance groups, have your picture taken with two inflatable Liberty Bells, encounter 42 police officers, 15 of them on bicycles and 7 on horses, and you can find one person selling hemp ice cream.

$160 million dollars. That's how much money Denver hopes to rake in as the host of the DNC. Nearly 700 vendors are vying for their share of the revenue, offering crowds everything from gourmet sausages to personalized golf ball markers to belts with pictures of rapper 50 Cent on them.

Protesters mock Dick Cheny and George Bush
Vice-President Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and President George Bush are common targets of protesters.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

About 50 percent of the vendors had the bright idea to sell political memorabilia during the political convention.

The height of one of the most popular souvenirs, the Barack Obama plush doll, is 17 inches.

47. That's the number of people who gathered to watch a traditional Chinese dance performance, complete with 4 dragon characters and two people dressed in masks and silk pajamas.

The number of spectators who can tell you what all this has to do with the Democratic National Convention: zero.