GOP GOES ON LINE WITH OWN COVERAGE.

Byline: P.J. Huffstutter Daily News Staff Writer

Tucked behind the traditional rows of TV and radio network booths is, politicians insist, the future of presidential campaign coverage.

It is Internet Alley, a tiny, makeshift room inside the San Diego Convention Center.

Bundles of telephone wire and stacks of computer terminals sit atop the row of booths belonging to organizations ranging from America Online to the conservative Family Research Council.

From here, these groups are pumping out continual live coverage of the Republican National Convention on line, offering anything from sound bites and live chats with politicians to daily trivia contests.

And for the first time, the Republican Party will be presenting its own Internet ``broadcasts'' from the convention floor via the World Wide Web.

``San Diego is the testing ground for the power of the on-line medium in the political realm,'' said Gus Pace, co-director of Internet services for the Republican convention. ``If you can't make it to San Diego this week, then this is as close as you can get.''

Anyone with an Internet account can access the party's electronic coverage.

The information is expected to be extensive - if everything goes according to plan.

The GOP plans to use the latest Web applications, including RealAudio to allow users to hear sound clips and CU-SeeMe for live video feeds from a camera at the podium, on the floor and behind the scenes. Real-time chats started last week, with politicians popping by Internet Alley to sit down and ``talk'' with Internet users.

There also will be volunteers on the convention floor with cellular phones. When possible, they will hand the phone to a politician, who will ``say something short, smart and snappy,'' said Michael Ullman, an Internet specialist for AT&T, the company running the convention's computer systems.

``This is the perfect way for people to have a completely unfiltered view of the convention,'' said Christine Myers, an AT&T spokeswoman. ``Instead of seeing what the broadcasters want you to see, you'll see everything.''

Or at least what the Republican National Committee wants the public to see. The video and audio material is supplied by GOP-TV, the party's news and entertainment network. And all the Net chats are moderated by a staff member from AT&T or the Republican National Committee.

On Saturday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Olene Walker of Utah sat down in front of a computer and began to type. The room was filled with the glaring light of several television camera crews, here in Internet Alley to record this event.

``I wish my secretary was here,'' Walker said. ``I'm not so great at typing. Where's the apostrophe? And how do you spell amendment?''

An AT&T volunteer interrupted the lieutenant governor. ``Uh, ma'am? We're going to have to move you to another computer. Our connection on that machine is down.''

Walker looked at the volunteer with a blank expression.

``It means you're typing, but no one can see what you're doing,'' the volunteer explained.

The camera crews turned off their lights. Walker moved to another computer. Five minutes later, she had to move again because of the same problem.

``Look, this is like testing out a new car,'' Pace said. ``We're bound to hit a few curbs.''

For all the hype about the electronic coverage, there is some concern about what will eventually end up on line. As of late Sunday afternoon, the public had access to very little information about when certain politicos would make an appearance.

Said Myers: ``The RNC is excited about all of this, and they told us that they wanted to do everything. They want this to be cutting edge for the MTV generation. But there are limitations, and we could be running out of time.''

Some of the event's technical staff agree.

``This all has a very nice, high-tech appearance, but nothing being done on line is particularly cutting edge,'' said William Proffer, a director with the San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp., the company that built the original RNC Web site more than a year ago. The company is helping AT&T with RNC's on-line presence during the convention.

``This is all pretty standard stuff. So you might be able to hear Newt Gingrich say hi on line. Big deal. The Republicans just aren't willing to take any chances.''

Though there will be similar coverage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month, a spokesman for the event said the group will be watching to see what happens in San Diego.

``It's the same way everyone monitored the problems when IBM handled its technology at the Olympics,'' said Stan Gorski, technology director for the Democratic National Convention. ``Why make the same mistakes?''

CONVENTION INTERNET SITES

Scores of Internet sites on the World Wide Web will offer coverage of the Republican National Convention. Here are some of the Web addresses:

Http://www.rnc.org

The Republican Party's official convention Web site, which acts as a gateway to a wide range of information about the GOP.

Http://www.dole96.com

The official Bob Dole Web site, filled with biographical information and policy statements.

Http://www.c-span.org

The Web site for those who want to track the convention through the gavel-to-gavel coverage of C-SPAN. Includes convention broadcast schedules and information for C-SPAN junkies on how it's covering the event.

Http://www.mtv.com

Forums with newsmakers and celebrities live from the convention. Geared toward younger voters. Sometimes offbeat; often informative.

Http://www.townhall.com

Web site for a coalition of conservative groups. Promises to provide live forums with GOP newsmakers.

Http://www.sddt.com

Site for the San Diego Source, the free on-line service of the 110-year-old San Diego Daily Transcript. Offers detailed information about San Diego, an archive of Associated Press stories, and links to other campaign-related Web sites.

Http://www.uniontrib.com/politics/index.html

Full convention coverage from the The Union-Tribune, San Diego's major newspaper.

Http://www.sdscoop.com/(tilde)crowe/

The San Diego Reader, the city's alternative newspaper, which lists protests and other ``alternative'' activities during the convention. Often irreverent and funny stories.

Http://www.camelect.com

The Web site for Campaigns and Elections magazine. Provides election odds and commentary from political experts.

SOURCE: Cox News Service

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: (Color) Workers apply the finishing touches to the S an Diego Convention Center.

Associated Press

Box: CONVENTION SITES (See text)