Dem convention includes reporter swag, I mean, a technological breakthrough

Forget the Clinton-Obama make-up dance. Forget the Veepstakes. At last, the important news has come out in Denver: At the Democratic National Convention, there will be free stuff for reporters! an important display of payment technology.

First Data, the information technology company, will be handing out what it calls "commemorative pins" that can be used to pay for stuff at participating concessions equipped with those tap-and-go credit card readers. The company says they're "a glimpse into the future of payments," and that eventually, they will be available as stickers that you can slap on your cell phone, or embedded in employee badges and wristbands.

Yeah, yeah, that's great. But here's the important part: To help encourage the media freeloaders to pick up and try one of the devices, they come pre-loaded with a $10 value -- not enough to turn a lobbyist's head, but nicely below the $20 limit most reputable news organizations place on the value of freebies that reporters can accept.

First Data will give the pins to "select members of the media and delegates" -- in other words, first come first served.

Credentialed media attending the Democratic convention may pick up a pin on Aug. 25 and 26 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the First Data-hosted media lounge located in Pavilion 5 outside the Pepsi Center.

So, my fellow journalists, should you need to take a breather from the nonstop excitement, stop over at the First Data-hosted media lounge, pick up your pin, head back into the Pepsi Center, and find the Blue Sky Grill. Now, I'm not sure if they're one of the participating concessionaires, but if they are, according to the menu, you can forget about an entree, and you can't quite afford any of the appetizers, but you got yourself a free bowl of bison chili! 

See related: Hillary racks up debt, but pays of card balance, Presidential candidates have bad credit, Obama may reform McCain's credit card rate