Democrats to Livestream Convention in Spanish and English

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 22: Workers construct modifications to the Time Warner Cable Arena in preparation for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 22, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte-area residents have been invited to attend a public open house and podium unveiling at the arena on August 31 for the convention that starts on September 3. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (2012 Getty Images)

Coming to a computer near you (drum roll) -- la convención.

The Democratic National Convention is livestreaming the entire event in Spanish as well as English, convention officials announced Sunday.

The gavel to gavel coverage from Charlotte, North Carolina, will be available on DemConvention.com/live as well as the Democratic National Convention Committee Mobil App.

“These efforts make this year’s convention the first in political history to include comprehensive livestream coverage,” campaign officials said.

It is the Web component of the battle for the votes of Latinos, who number roughly 50 million, according to the 2010 Census. Some 21 million are eligible to vote – some projections say that about half will go to the polls this November.

A report by Social Media Spanish found that there are 13.5 million U.S. Hispanics on Facebook. Nearly 6 million preferred English, but a significant number, 4.2 million, preferred Spanish.

Nearly 3.5 million said they felt comfortable with either Spanish or English.
In addition, slightly more than 8 million Latinos use Twitter. Latinos are also 70 percent more likely to view online videos than the general population, studies show.

Crooner Marc Anthony, who will sing the national anthem at the Bank of American stadium on Thursday before President Obama’s nomination acceptance speech, is scheduled to be part of a web-only convention conversation on Thursday at 8 p.m.

In June Marc Anthony filmed a 30-second video for the Obama campaign, urging Latinos to back Obama. He also outlined his reasons why Obama deserves the Latinos vote.

The Democratic National Committee also  has launched a Spanish-language version of its English-language convention site. The site -- www.demconvention.com/bienvenidos -- features general information about the convention, as well as Spanish-language YouTube videos and updates on Latino speakers scheduled to address the gathering.

Both Republicans and Democrats already had set up Spanish-language Twitter accounts for the campaigns of the President and his GOP challenger, Mitt Romney.

The campaigns also have been sending daily emails in both Spanish and English about their candidates, as well as criticizing their opponent.

During the Republican National Convention last week in Tampa, the RNC held daily bilingual press briefings.

Elizabeth Llorente will be reporting all week from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

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