Behind the Democratic convention

The Democratic National Convention begins today. Here are some style notes that might come up:

• Democratic National Convention, Democratic convention
• FleetCenter (One word, and "er," not "re")
• Teresa Heinz Kerry (No H in her first name, no hyphen in the last two)
• Boston Mayor Thomas Menino
• Ron Reagan, not Ron Reagan Jr. (He's a Ronald Prescott, not a Ronald Wilson)

There are 4,353 delegates and 611 alternates, despite some of the other numbers that have been floating around. It includes delegates from all 50 states and D.C., in addition to the American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands -- and more than 20 representing Democrats abroad.

(A few are getting it right, and a few wrong: The Buffalo News says 4,350 here. The Detroit News says 4,341 here. The New York Times says 4,322 here. AP is playing it safe here with 4,300-plus.)

Now, this is not to be confused with "delegate votes," which is a more important number. There will be more delegates on the floor than the votes allotted, meaning some delegations will use fractional votes: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Democrats abroad. The total delegate vote: 4,322.

John Kerry will need 2,162 (half plus one) votes to secure the nomination, not 2,163.

Official convention Web site
Today's political note [A Capital Idea, 02/12/04]
Democrats' nominating process [The Green Papers, a font of information]